Raccoons are medium-sized mammals native to North America, omnivorous, and most closely related to bears. Typically, they live two to three years and weigh 15 to 25 pounds. Some homeowners live peacefully with these creatures, while others are bothered by pesky raccoons that get into their garbage cans or menace their pets.
Yes! Kind raccoon removal is very possible – if it’s done right!
Relocating a raccoon or any wild animal isn’t guaranteed to be humane. Consider that the animal is taken out of its home environment, and moved to a new location. When relocated, it may end up competing with existing raccoons for water, food territory, and shelter spots. However, if done correctly, the relocated animal has a better chance to thrive.
At YardDoc, we use humane traps that are inspected daily in order to quickly relocate the animal and cause the least distress. We introduce the raccoon into an area that has adequate space, available year-round water, and sufficient food supplies. We avoid relocating families with kits (babies), suggesting you wait until the family is mobile. Sometimes we are asked to relocate abandoned kits. In that case, we take the animals to a wildlife rescue shelter as they are too young to survive on their own.
Raccoons, like most other critters, will find your property attractive if it has available water, food and a place to shelter.
They are also known to shelter under piles of wood, tarpaulins covering boats, etc. and outbuildings or sheds that are not frequented.
YardDoc’s Raccoon removal service involves relocation as well as addressing these issues to help prevent future critter control problems.
We have a number of recommendations on how to make your home less attractive to raccoons, and how to deter them.
In Texas, only a licensed professional is permitted to transport a wild animal such as a raccoon. That aside, raccoons can be dangerous to handle, so better left to a pro.
Like most wild animals, they can be unpredictable. Raccoons also have sharp teeth and claws, and they know how to use them. They are shy and will run when disturbed. But if they are cornered, protecting their young, or are sick or injured, then they are known to be aggressive and a formidable opponent.
Raccoons generally don’t mess with people and most incidents occur when people are trying to catch raccoons. After bats, raccoons are the second most frequently linked animal to rabies cases in the United States. Don’t mess with raccoons, and keep your pets away from them, too. Contact the YardDoc pest control division for licensed, experienced raccoon removal.
Yes. Raccoons may carry several diseases that can be problematic for humans and our pets. Transmission can be via direct contact, and scratches or bites. And disease also can be inhaled or ingested via raccoon feces.
The most notable diseases include:
Yes, but that is pretty rare! Cats, especially kittens, can be attacked by raccoons, and the same applies to smaller dogs. Generally, they don’t disturb pets, but attacks can occur when they are desperate for food or when they are chased by a dog.
More commonly raccoons and cats can be seen ignoring one another. Kittens are more vulnerable to being attacked and eaten; a full-grown cat is generally too much of a challenge and not worth pursuing as a meal.
Dogs, on the other hand tend to chase them, and often raccoons run away or up a tree, but sometimes this ends up in a fight, especially if there are young nearby. Many clients call on us for raccoon removal for the protection of their family pets.
Raccoons do not hibernate, but they are less active during colder months of the year, entering a state of rest with periodic feeding bouts when the weather allows.
Raccoons mate in late winter/early spring. Two months later, their litter of two to five babies are born. The offspring are called kits. The kits will stay with the mother for around six months, but sometimes as long as ten months. Once the kits are mobile enough, the mother will start moving around with them, often using up to four different dens.
As omnivores, they have a varied diet. Raccoon diets vary according to where they live; if humans are close by, that will influence their diet considerably.
In the wild, raccoons eat birds and other small mammals, as well as insects, fish, lizards, eggs, fruit and nuts. In urban settings, they eat a lot of whatever their hosts (YOU) discard in the trash.
Identifying raccoon droppings varies considerably depending on what the raccoon has been eating. If it has eaten your pet’s food, you may find a cylindrical-shaped poop with blunted ends. More commonly, it is a dark cluster of whatever berry seeds it has recently eaten.
The notable characteristic about raccoon poop is its location. Raccoons like to poop on top of things – on top of a fence post, on top of a rock, or on a rooftop.
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