Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

The Definitive Guide to Raccoon Control and Where to Find a
Wildlife Control Professional!

Are you frustrated and tired of dealing with the Damage caused by WILDLIFE. This site deals with WILDLIFE DAMAGE and steps the "Do it yourselfer" can take to protecting your property from the damage caused by Wildlife in your area.

Don't want to do it yourself? No Problem, we have Wildlife Professionals to help you solve all your wildlife control needs.

Identification

The raccoon (Procyon lotor), also called “coon,” is a stocky mammal about 2 to 3 feet long, weighing 10 to 30 pounds (rarely 40 to 50 pounds. It is distinctively marked, with a prominent black “mask” over the eyes and a heavily furred, ringed tail. The animal is a grizzled salt-and-pepper gray and black above, although some individuals are strongly washed with yellow. Raccoons from the prairie areas of the western Great Plains are paler in color than those from eastern portions of the region.

Range

Wherever both year-round food and den sites abound, raccoons can be found. The range of the raccoon covers most of the U.S., except for desert areas and some dense forests. Because of its adaptability, it is found in a range of habitats from fields and farmlands to wetlands and suburban areas. This nocturnal (active at night) mammal likes to feed on crayfish, frogs, insects, clams, small mammals, birds and their eggs, turtle eggs, and a wide range of fruits and nuts. This makes it an omnivore--a feeder of both plant and animal matter. Garbage and pet food may comprise a significant portion of its diet in urban and suburban areas. Hollow trees, rock crevices, and rock piles provide good den sites for raccoons. They also use hollow logs or abandoned animal burrows in the winter.

Damage Caused by Raccoons

In urban areas, raccoons can damage buildings (particularly attics and roofs), gardens, fruit trees, lawns, garbage cans, nd trash containers. They are also attracted to pet food left outdoors and will attack pets. Occasionally, one or more raccoons will establish a communal toilet area. In rural areas, raccoons may feed on farm crops or raid poultry houses.

Damage to eaves

Damage to a lawn

Damage to a rooftop chimney

Control Methods

We understand the desire to take care of a raccoon problem yourself. It may be tempting to take matters into your own hands, but in the long run, you could put yourself, your family and your home at risk of damage, distress and disease. Raccoons have been known to attack humans, especially mothers in defense of their babies.

A homeowner may successfully trap and kill an adult raccoon, only to smell the nasty odor of five baby carcasses rotting in the wall. It can take between one and two years, depending on the size, for a body to decompose, and also for the odor to dissipate. Along with decomposing bodies come maggots and other bugs, including fly larvae. Click here to find a Professional in your Area so that you don’t have to be exposed.

When a raccoon is in the chimney, some homeowners try to smoke or burn out the raccoon. Not only is this highly inhumane, but it’s impossible to know if the “smoke-job” has successfully gotten rid of all the raccoons. Make the right choice hire a Professional Control Specialist.