Raccoon Control | Raccoon Facts
October 21st, 2014
The mask of black fur gets me every time, a characteristic feature on raccoons. When I see a raccoon I never think of them as an aggressive bandit, rather a cute cuddly creature. Don’t let their doglike appearance fool you; raccoons are a recipe for disaster—if you feed them. There may be a need for raccoon control if you notice raccoons taking up residence in your attic or outbuildings.
I came across a Raccoon Fact Sheet from PBS, which I thought would be pretty valuable to my clients—you. It’s always important to know about the animals in our natural habitat. Below you will find some important facts on raccoons:
Raccoon Size and Weight:
An adult raccoon averages in size from 24 to 38 inches in length and can weigh between 14 to 23 lbs., or more, depending upon the habitat. A male raccoon is referred to as a boar, the female a sow, and the young are called kits.
Physical Features:
The mask of black fur that covers a raccoon’s eye is its most familiar feature. There is speculation that the dark fur may help reduce glare and enhance the nocturnal animal’s night vision. The hind legs of a raccoon are much longer than the front legs, giving the appearance of being hunched over when walking and/or running. Raccoons have five toes on their front paws, which allows them to grasp and manipulate their food.
Life Span:
A raccoon has a life expectancy of about 2 to 3 years, in the wild, but in captivity a raccoon can live up to 20 years.
Diet:
The raccoon is an omnivorous and opportunistic eater, which is determined heavily by its environment. Common foods include fruits, plants, nuts, berries, insects, rodents, frogs, eggs, and crayfish. In urban environments, the animal often sifts through garbage.
Breeding and Social Structure:
A raccoon is a nocturnal animal, mostly feeding and roaming around at night. There is evidence that the species congregates in gender-specific groups. A mother raccoon usually is the sole parent in raising her young alone—the male does not participate. The kits stays with their mother until they are between 8-10 weeks old, and will stay with their mother until they are between 13-14 months of age.
Why You May Need Raccoon Control:
Problem raccoons are usually the result of chronic feeding by humans. When you’re constantly leaving an available source of food out, raccoons will take up residence either in or near your home. Attics are a popular residence for raccoons; they use this area as a nesting space when they have young. When they take up residence, raccoons usually become very destructive and difficult to remove, that’s when raccoon control should be greatly enforced.
Raccoons are a prime carrier of rabies, distemper, and tuberculosis. These are major diseases that’ll affect your pets, as well as yourself, should you get bitten or scratched.
Raccoon Control in Southwest Florida: Alford Wildlife & Pest Management
At Alford Wildlife & Pest Management, we specialize in live trapping, removal, and relocation of nuisance wildlife on residential and commercial properties. We also specialize in animal exclusion services as well as decontamination services. We do not believe in temporary fixes at Alford Wildlife & Pest Management, we’ll ensure that nuisance wildlife does not bother you again. We will locate all current and potential entry points and make sure that they are closed off with solid materials. With our decontamination services, you can be certain that all traces of animal feces and urine will be removed from your home or business. We also ensure that after cleaning, the entire area is treated with an industrial grade antimicrobial. Our licensed wildlife experts have handled a variety of animals for removal and do so in the most humane way (only rats and subterranean pests are lethally trapped).
Once onsite, we provide a thorough inspection to determine the problem animals, optimal trapping techniques, and the best placement of traps. We then complete a follow-up check at least every 2 days and pick up any trapped animal within 18 hours. We make it a top priority to relocate the animal to a more suitable habitat as well as bringing any injured animal to a wildlife rehabilitation center for the proper care. To learn more about our services contact us today on the forum, here. Or you can simply call us at (239) 214-7928.
