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Frequently Asked Questions About Raccoons

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If you have trees, water, or woods near your home, you most definitely have a nearby raccoon population. Here in Kentucky, raccoons are wide-spread among rural and urban regions and can be found living in all sorts of different habitats and locations. They are an incredibly intelligent and ambitious, giving them have excellent survival skills. If you believe raccoons could be a possible threat to your property, it may help to educate yourself on their species and how to control their nuisance activity.

Continue reading to review some of the most frequently asked questions about raccoons and raccoon control.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622

What Does a Raccoon Eat?

Raccoons are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and produce. They also enjoy a diet of berries, acorns, mushrooms, and plant life. They generally dine on fish, small invertebrates, fruits, grubs, insects, vegetables, nuts, grains, and many other foods found in nature. If living nearby water, raccoons will almost always use this as their main source of food. Anything they can grab from the water is a treat, such as salmon, carp, bluegill, frogs, crabs, crayfish, mollusks, worms, and even snakes. They are also known to steal eggs from chicken coups, bird nests, and other hatching grounds.  They can pick their own fruit and vegetables, skim through chicken houses and raid farm crops.  Raccoons will even eat road-kill!

Do Raccoons Hibernate?

During winter in colder regions of the country, some raccoon species will partake in behaviors similar to hibernation, but not hibernation at all. They may take up and stay in their dens for several weeks at a time; sleeping or remaining stagnant, lowering their body temperatures and heart rates too. They may only venture out a few times a week to hunt for food and find water. This behavior is quite similar to an innate habit called torpor, and is what bears essentially do.

Do Raccoons Carry Diseases?

Raccoons are known carriers of several infectious diseases, viruses, and even parasites like lice, fleas, and mites. Not only can these diseases infect people if exposed, they can also threaten the well-being of our pets.  Dogs, cats, and other small animals are at risk of contracted various illnesses and infections from wild raccoons. For this reason, pet vaccinations are vital. Rabies is a common disease contracted and spread by raccoons. Others include canine distemper, roundworm, and leptospirosis.

Will Raccoons Damage My Property?

Raccoons will damage your property, both inside and out depending on how much access they get. An indoor raccoons infestation can breed all sorts of bacteria and unhygienic conditions from leftover urine, droppings, and rotted food. It can also leave behind torn insulation, soiled floorboards, stained ceilings, lingering odors, and much more. Outside is not much different in terms of potential raccoon damage. They like to rip up lawns and garden beds in search of grubs and other invertebrates. They also like to nest under patios and porches, causing the same sort of interior structural damages mentioned before.

Can I Remove Raccoons Myself?

No; and in most states, it is illegal to do so without the proper licenses, permits, and equipment. For this reason, you must never attempt to provoke, touch, catch, trap, harm, or kill a raccoon under any circumstances. It is equally vital to never make a stray baby raccoon your pet. See our blog, “Can I Hunt Wild Raccoons in Kentucky?” to learn about the state laws surrounding raccoon trapping.

How Do I Get Rid of Raccoons in Louisville?

Call 502-553-7622 for safe and humane Louisville raccoon control in Louisville, Kentucky and its surrounding counties. Our DNR licensed and insured raccoon rescue contractors offer a wide range of services for residential and commercial properties, including raccoon removal, control, prevention, proofing, cleanup, attic restorations, and more. Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate or information about Louisville raccoon control, today.

Emergency Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
Emergency Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622

Educational Facts About the Common Raccoon

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Use these fun and interesting facts to educate kids about the most well-known, native raccoon species in North America; the Common Raccoon!

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control Services
Raccoon is a medium-sized mammal native to North America.

Fun Facts About the Procyon Lotor!

The Common Raccoon is scientifically called Procyon Lotor. Other nicknames include the North American Raccoon, Northern Raccoon, or just Coon. They are the largest animal in the Procyonid family.

Raccoon homes are called dens.  Raccoons dwell in their raccoon dens, often times being a hollow log, an empty burrow, or a hole in a tree.  This is where they breed and sleep, as well as hibernate.  Yes, raccoons hibernate during cold seasons.

Raccoons hibernate.  As revealed before, raccoons hibernate in their dens during harsh or cold times.  Their hibernation periods, however, only last a few weeks, rather than the entire season.  Before hibernation periods, raccoons will build up calories and layers of fat to keep them warm and satisfied during hibernating times. 

Raccoons have predators.  Although raccoons are among some of the cleverest creatures in the wild, they still have other animals hunting them and marking them as food.  Such predators are cougars, coyotes, bobcats, and even domesticated dogs.  Most residential raccoons, however, meet their demise on busy roads and highways rather than dogs.

There are 6 Species of Raccoons in the U.S.  Most people are unaware that there are different types of raccoon species.  It is interesting that there are a variety of raccoons specific to their environments.  The six species are the Hilton Head Island raccoon, the Chesapeake Bay Raccoon, the Eastern raccoon, the Florida Raccoon, the Matecumbe Bay Raccoon, and the Alabama Raccoon.  In the world there are millions of raccoon species.

No person has ever been infected with rabies from a raccoon. There is no documented case of anyone ever becoming infected with rabies from a raccoon bite. Stereotypes, movies, and stories about vicious raccoons attacking people while foaming at the mouth has given raccoons a bad reputation.  The truth is, raccoons are not afraid of people, but they do not trust them.  They avoid human contact as much as they can.  If it is provoked, there is a chance a raccoon can attack in attempt to defend themselves or their litters.  It is best not to disturb a raccoon if you ever come across one. 

Raccoons are diurnal. This means they can make their homes above ground, below ground, or in trees.  Raccoons prefer to not dig their own homes if living under ground; instead, they use abandoned burrows that other animals had dug before.

Raccoons are known as pests in neighborhoods and cities. To reduce nuisance raccoon activity, it is strongly encouraged to seek professional assistance from a Kentucky wildlife removal company. Never attempt to tamper with raccoons on your own. See our blog, “Can I Hunt Wild Raccoons in Kentucky?” to learn the laws that govern wildlife trapping in our state.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 502-553-7622 for safe and humane Louisville raccoon removal services today. We offer a wide range of services for residential and commercial properties, including raccoon removal, control, prevention, proofing, cleanup, attic restorations, and more. Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate or information about Louisville raccoon control, today.

Emergency Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
Emergency Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622

General Overview of the Common Raccoon

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There are many different kinds of raccoon species in North America, and even the world! These animals are fascinating creatures to learn about because they are so clever and interesting. Raccoons are often given a bad name due to nuisance raccoons in residential and commercial areas; however, this is due to housing developments and new construction that pushes raccoons out of their natural habitats. There are certainly nuisance raccoons and other animals in our neighborhoods, but in the wild, raccoons are intriguing animals that are worth reading about!

Distinctive Features of a Raccoon

Raccoons are most noticeable by their striped bushy tails and black furry face masks that lays across their eyes. This is where they nailed the nickname, “bandits”, in regards to their mischievous ways. Raccoons also have incredibly dexterous paws that lets them grip and clasp onto things. This is an advantage over other forest animals. They are also mammals that typically weight between 8 to 20 pounds, depending on species and age. Raccoons can be brown and black, or gray and black, and any combination in between. This also depends on which species and part of the world they are from. They have dense fur that dries quickly. It keeps them cool in the hot seasons and warm in the colder ones. They have slightly pointy snouts and whiskers, giving them a cat-like look.

Raccoon Food Chain

Raccoons are omnivores. This means they eat almost anything, from small vertebrae to fruits, nuts, and fish. The diet is a beneficial one because they can live up to twenty years, so long as they steer clear from dangerous roads and predators. Raccoons can be preyed on by mountain lions, bob cats, cougars, and other large forest animals. The most vulnerable to predators are raccoon babies, called kits. Raccoons give birth to usually 1-5 kits. Their gestation period is short, lasting for only about 65 days. Raccoons are good mothers, but let their young run free once they have learned to fend for themselves.

Raccoons and Disease

They stereotype is that all raccoons have rabies, or some other disease that can be harmful to humans and domesticated animals; but the truth is, any animal can carry rabies and pass it along to another. Raccoons may very well have rabies, but it is just as likely that every other animal has it too. The crux of the matter is that not all raccoons have rabies, but should still be avoided at all times because it is difficult to tell if they are ill or not. Most likely, raccoons are more scared of us then we are of them, making raccoon attacks very unlikely.

Louisville Raccoon Removal

Call Louisville Raccoon Removal at 502-553-7622 for prompt and humane raccoon control service in Kentucky. We are DNR licensed raccoon control contractors with decades of experience working with wild raccoons. We have the safe and affordable solutions to get rid of raccoons and prevent them from retuning in the future. Our friendly wildlife removal contractors are happy to answer questions, give advice, and manage your raccoon problems, anytime. Give us a call at 502-553-7622 to learn more about raccoon control in Louisville, KY today.

Funny Facts About Raccoons

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There are so many interesting and even silly facts about the common mammal we know as the raccoon. Raccoons are very intelligent and come in various different shapes, sizes, colors, and species. There is lots to learn about raccoons, and the learning process is so much fun! Continue reading to learn more about wild raccoons, and the funny facts that make them so interesting to learn about.

Raccoon “Bandits” Mask

All raccoons have a black, or dark colored, mask that surrounds their eyes and temporal areas. This mask is so close in appearance to a robber or bandit’s mask, it has been referred to as this many times over. Although this is common knowledge to most, not many people know why raccoons are born with this “mask-like” strip of fur around their eyes. The reason is better night vision! The black mask enhances a raccoon’s vision at night.

Tree Climbing Ability

Raccoons climb trees very well, but for an animal of their size, this is quite unusual. The reason this is all possible is because raccoons retain the mind-boggling ability to rotate their hind legs! This amazing ability allows them to find protection from larger animals and prey on food easier.

An Incredible Sense of Touch

Raccoons retain explosive dexterity in their paws and claws. It can almost be compared to that of a human hand! Not only does this also aid in their impressive climbing ability, it also allows them to maneuver food, build dens, carry items, pry things open, and much more. These paws also have an incredible sense of touch. With a simple touch, raccoons can sense their surroundings.

Auditory Range and Hunting

Their dexterous paws allow raccoons to capture and handle their prey better than other mammals, but their auditory range plays a huge role in their hunting abilities. Because raccoons can hear sounds as low as 50 KHZ, they can easily hunt insects and small prey in the dead of night and darkness.

Raccoon for Dinner

Keep in mind that it requires a licensed and permit to kill, trap, or hunt wild raccoons; and raccoons should never be harmed, hurt, or tortured. In American, raccoons are not considered a tasty treat, but are often hunted or bred for their fantastic fur. But in some cultures, like that of some North American Indian tribes, barbequed raccoon is considered an elegant and exotic delicacy. What an interesting piece of knowledge!

Raccoon Removal Louisville Kentucky

Call our raccoon removal and control contractors at 502-553-7622 for more information about wild raccoons and raccoon prevention in Louisville, Kentucky. Our DNR licensed and insured wildlife control specialists provide prompt and professional raccoon removal, clean up, inspections, prevention, and more, all at the most competitive prices in town! When you need fast, reliable, and affordable raccoon removal in Louisville, KY, trust our DNR licensed contractors for safe, non-lethal service you can count on day or night.