Raccoon Control
RACCOONS
Description and Identification Exceedingly intelligent and clever animals, raccoons are mischievous and will eat just about anything. Also frequently referred to as a coon, they are solid mammals usually around 2 to 3 feet long, and they weigh anywhere from 10 to 30 pounds (though there are reported incidences of raccoons being as much as 50 pounds). Distinctively marked with a prominent heavily furred, ringed tail and a mask over the eyes, raccoons are typically salt-and-pepper gray, although some are yellow.
With the exception of some areas in the Southwest and higher elevations in some mountainous regions, raccoons can be found all over the U.S.. They prefer hardwood forests, especially those in close proximity to a body of water, but raccoons are highly adaptable and also can be found in human living areas like suburban neighborhoods, orchards, farmsteads, and gardens. They create dens and nests in barns, haystacks, abandoned buildings, hollow trees and attics.
Since they are mostly active at night, raccoons are often present for quite a long time in an area prior to being detected. Without proper understanding of their feeding tendencies and damage potential, raccoon control may be rather difficult.
Damage Potential
Raccoons become a major problem and create destruction and damage in several ways. Although they can go undetected due to their nocturnal nature, raccoons are fairly easily identified by their tracks.
Raccoon damage can be extensive, and if it isn't handled, can be expensive. Compared to the damage that is done to a building or house, damage that they do to gardens is rather minor, but they have been known to scrounge for grubs and worms by actually rolling up sod that has been freshly laid.
When they're searching for a site to nest, mother raccoons sometimes take off roof shingles and even roof top ventilators in order to hunt for shelter in an attic or wall space. Raccoons frequently look for refuge in businesses and houses particularly in attics or chimneys and in areas where garbage cans and compost piles can be raided for food. In a lot of suburban and urban communities, raccoons will adapt to make chimneys sufficient replacements for traditional hollow trees. When the animals begin using certain places in a building as a bathroom, ceilings below often will hold a repulsive odor and become soiled.
Recently identified as a major host for rabies among wildlife, reports of diseased animals have increased dramatically over the past 3 decades. A great deal of the increase in reports is directly related to a broadening of raccoon populations in the eastern U.S..
Feeding Tendencies and Diet
Since raccoons are omnivorous, they adapt to the surroundings where they've got access to food. When the animals begin to come into human territory, they favor places where there's pet food or a garbage can left outside. They're known to consume poultry and birds when they are attainable, as well as their eggs. In farming and gardening areas, raccoons feed on produce such as vegetables, corn, watermelon, and backyard nuts.
When raccoon populations become a problem in your home or business, it is imperative that wildlife experts are located that are educated and practiced in removing them safely. Visit http://www.birdandanimalcontrol.com for assistance in finding a company that'll manage your raccoon control issues and raccoon removal in an efficient and safe way.
About Author
Pete Fields is a Greenville estate planning lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina. Find more information on
Clemson attorneys and estate planning.
Source: ArticleTrader.com