Raccoons
WHAT WE DO FOR YOU
Raccoons develop their distinctive mask when they are ten days old. Although they’re admired for their intelligence and ingenuity, these attributes are also what make raccoons so destructive when they decide to live in your home. This nocturnal species prefers to make its den inside warm and dry attics, chimneys, crawl spaces and roof areas. Because distinguishing healthy raccoons from those infected with rabies is difficult, professional removal is always necessary.
Your fall raccoon guide
Raccoons are one of our urban wildlife friends that do not hibernate. However, since the cold weather and snow can make it difficult to travel and forage during the winter months, raccoons do spend weeks at a time in their dens once temperatures begin to drop. Leading up to winter, young raccoons born in early spring may leave their mothers’ care to search for their own den sites, or stick around with the family. In both cases, raccoons are searching for shelter to ride out the winter in a rather competitive environment. Raccoon populations are at their peak in the fall, which means choices will be slim for natural winter dens, such as tree hollows. Unfortunately for homeowners, this pushes raccoons to take shelter in our cozy, warm attics.
It’s important to act on this before the snow arrives, as it can be difficult to tell if you have a raccoon tenant when they are their least active. The longer raccoons take up residence in your home, the more damage they are capable of causing. As you assess your home this fall, look for potential weak areas such as damaged soffit, shingles, or roof vents. Take action to prevent raccoons from breaking in, and contact Skedaddle if you suspect you already have a raccoon visitor.
Assess and Remove
Our Wildlife Technicians are trained to identify all raccoon entry points into your home. Using specialized hands-on techniques, our Wildlife Technicians will humanely and strategically remove all adults and their babies because this is the most effective and economical method. Mother raccoons are then re-united with their babies using a heated baby box that will allow her to safely relocate the litter to one of her multiple den sites.
Why do Raccoons Live in Attics?
How to know if a Raccoon has Babies
How to Locate Raccoon Babies
How to Remove Raccoons from an Attic
Wildlife Babies: What Happens to the Family?
Clear and Clean
Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control’s wildlife removal strategy is humane, safe and reliable. Part of our process involves clearing and cleaning any contaminated material that can cause serious health risks. It’s important to have the contamination removed professionally because raccoon feces is commonly infected with a type of roundworm (Baylisascaris) that can cause serious illness if their resilient eggs are accidentally ingested. Your Wildlife Technician will advise cleaning and clearing tactics, like insulation repair and attic restoration, depending on the severity of contamination. This will help ensure that your home remains safe for you and your family.
How to Clean Raccoon Feces in the Attic
What Kind of Damage can Raccoons Do?
Prevent and Protect
Part of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control’s process involves securing your home against future raccoon intrusions. Keeping in mind their dexterous paws, your Wildlife Technician will prevent re-entry into your home by identifying and sealing all potential openings using heavy gauge screening. With over three decades of experience, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control has the skill and know-how needed to keep even the most determined raccoon out of your attic or chimney. Our Wildlife Technicians specialize in ensuring that your home and family are protected as part of the Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control customer service experience.
How do Raccoons Get into Houses?
Things you can do to Keep your Home and Property safe
Do It Yourself Measures that don’t Work
How to Effectively Prevent Raccoons from Choosing Your Home as their Nest
Raccoon Facts
Raccoons are sometimes referred to as “masked bandits” and are often admired for their intelligence and ingenuity. These traits also make them quite destructive to homes and businesses. Because of their size, intelligence and health risks, they should be dealt with very carefully.
FACT: Raccoons most often like to make dens in chimneys, roofs, and attics, especially over bedrooms where it tends to be quieter. They are nocturnal (i.e. active at night), making them quite a nuisance when homeowners are trying to sleep.
FACT: Raccoons have very manipulative paws, which mean they can open jars, garbage cans, and even door latches. They are also quite strong and will rip up shingles, soffit, flashing, and aluminum.
FACT: Mother raccoons will do just about anything to get to their young if separated and will also try very hard to get back into a den site. The babies (kits) can also be quite curious and destructive once they are mobile.
FACT: The mother instinct in raccoons is very strong and they will cause major damage if separated from their young.
FACT: Raccoons will chew through electrical wires to clear access to a den site
FACT: Frayed wires pose a serious fire hazard, especially if close to flammable materials like wood or insulation.
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