RACCOONS
Identification and Description Remarkably intelligent and clever animals, raccoons are known to be mischievous and will eat just about anything. Often referred to as coons, they are solid mammals about 2 or 3 feet in length, weighing in at between 10 and 30 pounds (although there are documented incidences of raccoons growing to be as much as 50 pounds). Marked with a distinctive dark mask over the eyes and a furred, ringed tail, raccoons are generally salt-and-pepper gray, though some are yellow.
With the exception of some areas in the Southwest and higher elevations in the mountains, raccoons are found all over the US. They prefer hardwood forests, particularly those near bodies of water, however raccoons are highly adaptable and also can be found in human living areas such as orchards, farms, suburban neighborhoods, and gardens. They create nests and dens in hollow trees, abandoned buildings, barns, haystacks and chimneys.
Since they are predominantly active at night, raccoons can be present in an area for a good deal of time prior to being detected. Without proper knowledge about their feeding tendencies and damage possibilities, raccoon control may be difficult.
Damage Potential
Raccoons become a major problem and create destruction in several ways. Though it's possible that they will go undetected due to their nocturnal nature, raccoons are fairly easily identified by their tracks. Raccoon damage can be extensive, and if it is left untreated, can be expensive. In comparison to the damage that they can do to a house or building, garden damage is fairly minor, although they've been known to find grubs and worms by actually rolling up freshly laid sod.
When they are looking for den sites for their babies, mother raccoons often will rip off roof shingles and even heating ducts in order to locate shelter in an attic or wall space. They often seek shelter in homes and businesses particularly in attics or chimneys and in areas where garbage cans and compost piles can be raided. In suburban and urban regions, raccoons will adapt to make chimneys adequate alternatives for customary hollow trees. When the animals start using certain areas in a building or attic as a bathroom, ceilings below will often become stained and hold an objectionable odor.
Recently identified as a significant rabies host in wild life, reports of disease ridden animals have dramatically gone up over the last three decades. The majority of the increase in reports is directly related to an advancement in raccoon populations in the eastern United States.
Diet and Feeding Tendencies
Because raccoons are omnivorous, they adapt to places where they've got access to food. When they begin coming into human territory, they have a tendency to gravitate toward areas where there is pet food or a garbage can left outside. They've been known to eat poultry and other birds when that is handy, as well as their eggs. In farming and garden regions, raccoons feed on crops such as corn, backyard nuts, vegetables, and watermelon.
When raccoons become a pest problem in your business or home, it is imperative that you locate a wildlife expert that is educated and proficient in removing them safely. Check out http://www.birdandanimalcontrol.com for help to find a company that will regulate your animal control problem and raccoon removal in a safe and timely way.
