Wild Raccoons Aren’t Really Wild Anymore

Posted on July 16, 2019 by raccoonremovallouisvilleky

When you hear the term, “wild raccoons”, you imagine a raccoon in nature, going about their business within their colony. But the truth is, raccoons are not really that wild anymore. In fact, it is less likely to spot a raccoon in the great wide open than in your local community. Nowadays, raccoons are more urban than wild, and there are many reasons why.

Continue reading to learn what has caused the transition of raccoons from wild to urban, and how to protect yourself and your property from nuisance raccoon interference.

A Fair Warning

Just because raccoons are found more in our local cities and neighborhoods, they are still technically wild animals, and behave as such. For this reason, always avoid raccoon encounters at all costs, and never, under any circumstances, attempt to touch, trap, harm, or kill a raccoon. See our blog, “Can I Hunt Wild Raccoons in Kentucky?” to learn state laws surrounding raccoon tampering.

Raccoon Habitats

Raccoons are generally known to make their homes in hollowed trees, large rock crevices, and similar hidden locations. However, raccoons are more commonly making their homes inside our homes. Common nesting areas in residential and commercial settings include attics, crawl spaces, beneath porches and decks, sheds, barns, tree houses, and much more.

Raccoons are found more in urban settings than in natural settings because they are a very wise species. They are intelligent and have excellent memory capabilities, but they are also incredibly motivated to find food and shelter. With these attributes combined, raccoons know where the best sources for their priorities can be found; and they can all be found in our communities. Raccoons raid dumpsters, trashcans, gardens, garages, bird baths, koi ponds, and more, for anything to eat. They also use their human-like paws to pry open doors and windows, rip off siding and roof shingles, and more, all to access the areas they want.

Another umbrella reason why raccoons are found more in our areas than in nature is due to land over-development. The more we develop land into residential and commercial complexes, the less space and natural habitats raccoons and other nuisance wildlife have to establish and maintain homes for themselves. As a result, wildlife moves in with us.

Non-Lethal, Humane Raccoon Control in Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for safe, non-lethal 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.

Check Out These Adorable Baby Raccoon Pictures!

Posted on May 28, 2019 by raccoonremovallouisvilleky

Although raccoons can be quite the nuisance on residential and commercial properties, they happen to be one of the cutest baby animals! Furthermore, there are plenty of truly interesting facts about raccoons that could possibly cause you to develop some appreciation for them. For instance, did you know that raccoons are incredibly intelligent? It’s true! They can remember directions and locations, solve complex puzzles, and perform complicated cognitive tasks. See our blog, “How Smart is a Raccoon?” to learn more about raccoon intelligence studies.

In the meantime, if you are still not convinced that raccoons are special animals, continue below to enjoy some precious snaps of baby raccoons from across the world!

Baby raccoons are called kits, or cubs, and they are born blind and deaf. Their ear canals and eyes finally open up within 18 to 23 days after they are born.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control Services — Baby raccoons drink milk.

Raccoons are mammals, so they drink mother’s milk until they are fully weaned off around 16 week of age. After 6 to 9 weeks, they begin to eat solid food.

Raccoon Control Louisville 2 — A raccoon learns to climb around 16 weeks.

Raccoons are excellent climbers, and begin learning around 16 weeks. They have human-like paws with long claws, allowing them to grip, pull, and pry just like us.

How to Stop Nuisance Raccoon Activity

Although cute, we still don’t want raccoons invading our properties and causing damage with their instinctual behaviors. So in order to prevent raccoon activity around your property, you will need to follow some important guidelines:

❧ Keep garbage cans locked up, or keep the lids sealed shut, and only take your cans out to the driveway on the morning of trash pickup day, and never the night before.

❧ Never leave pet food or water bowls outside. If you store pet food a garage or shed, be sure it is in an air-tight container and your garage or shed is non-accessible by animals.

❧ Install motion lighting on patios, porches, and garages. Or consider installing a sound machine to scare raccoons away. Install a fence around gardens.

❧ Sprinkle your yard with ground red pepper, and then soak cotton balls with ammonia and place them around your property. Be care if you have outdoor pets.

❧ Remove bird and squirrel feeders, as well as, bird baths. Pass up on the Koi pond. They will eat your expensive fish!

If Your Raccoon Problem Persists…

Call 502-553-7622 for Louisville raccoon removal and control you can trust. We are DNR licensed and insured raccoon abatement experts with over 25 years of experience in the raccoon industry. We have all the latest technologies and equipment to carry out safe and humane raccoon control and cleanup jobs. Request a free estimate, today.

How Smart is a Raccoon?

Posted on May 14, 2019 by raccoonremovallouisvilleky

There are several species within the animal kingdom that retain notable traits of intelligence, such as primates, dolphins, killer whales, horses, pigs, and of course, canines. But did you know that a common pest is also on the list of animals that are pretty smart? That’s right; those little masked bandits we call raccoons are quite intelligent, and there is plenty of research and evidence to back it up.

Continue reading to learn more about the average intelligence of the Common raccoon, and what you can do if raccoons are becoming a nuisance around your property.

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History of Raccoon Intelligence Research

Between the years of 1905 and 1915, the measurable of intelligence of a common raccoon was quite the heated dispute among the authorities in the field of comparative psychology. A psychologist by the name of Lawrence W. Cole created a colony of raccoons at the University of Oklahoma. In 1907, he and a doctoral student at Clark University named Herbert Burnham Davis, published the results of the experiment, detailing the raccoon’s processes of learning, association, and memory.

Their research relied heavily on puzzles, specifically E.L. Thorndike’s puzzle-box methodology, which involved putting the raccoons inside wood crates to see if they could escape by opening the latch, or even a sequence of latches. The raccoons’ comprehension and speed increased as they were given the test over and over again. From the results of their research, they were able to develop a “tolerable basis” for raccoon intelligence. They use this basis on a scale known as the phylogenetic scale of evolutionary development.

So how smart are raccoons? Based on old and new scientific studies, you can basically compare the level of intelligence and mental attributes of a common raccoon to that of a monkey, as they slightly surpass the intelligence of felines and canines.

What Does This Mean for the Average Person?

Raccoons are smart, and they are also a common pest. Combined, raccoons can be quite the threat to your property in many ways. Not only are raccoons intelligent and have good memory capacity, they have human-like paws that allow them to grip, grasp, pry, and open things, including window screens and door knobs!

Raccoons can cause a lot structural damage and lawn damage in search of food and shelter, but they are also known carriers of several infectious diseases, from lice to rabies. For this reason, it is best to keep them off of your property. Read our blog, “How to Keep Raccoons Away From Your House” to learn how to do your part.

How to Get Rid of Raccoons in Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 if you are experiencing raccoon problems in Louisville, Kentucky. We offer residential and commercial raccoon removal and control, as well as, raccoon proofing and prevention, minor restorations for raccoon damages, raccoon cleanup, and much more. We may even be able to perform home owners’ insurance claim work. Request a free estimate or advice, anytime. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Is a Raccoon a Rodent?

Posted on April 22, 2019 by raccoonremovallouisvilleky

Uh oh! You found a colony of raccoons living in or around your property! But before you pick up the phone to contact a local pest control company, you should know that raccoons are not rodents. You see, a rodent can be loosely defined as an animal with a pair of solid, growing incisors in both the upper and lower jaw, such as a mouse, rat, or hamster. A raccoon, on the other hand, is a meat-eating animal that lacks this characteristic set of incisors; so they are not in fact, rodents.

For this reason, if you were to contact the pest control company after discovering raccoons in the attic, they will quickly refer you to the proper authorities, which is generally a local wildlife rescue and control service that retains the proper state permits to extract and transport wild animals, like raccoons, legally.

Continue reading to learn why a raccoon is not considered a rodent, but rather, a nuisance animal, and what you can do to safely eliminate the threat of raccoon activity on your property.

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The Common Raccoon (Procyon Lotor)

The Common Raccoon, also known as the North American Raccoon, is a medium-sized mammal. They are of course, part of the animal kingdom, as well as, the Chordata phylum, Mammalian class, Carnivora order, Procyonidae family, and Procyon genus, all giving them their species name, Procyon Lotor.

As for food, theirs tends to vary from season to season, but typically they will eat anything from insects, fruits and nuts to small reptiles, amphibians, birds and other vertebrates. One of the reasons we usually find raccoons going through our trash after dark is because they are nocturnal and sleep during the day. Raccoons are very intelligent, and like humans, have paws with 5 digits. These paws are capable of grasping and prying, just like ours!

Risks and Threats

Although raccoons are not rodents, they are still considered nuisance wildlife because they are known carriers of infectious diseases that can be dangerous for humans and pets. They also cause structural and landscaping damage that can be costly and tedious to repair. So if you have a raccoon problem on your property, contact a local wildlife removal and control company to have them safely and humanely removed. If you suspect you might have raccoons in the attic, call a professional service immediately to avoid further damages and costly repairs.

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Can I Hunt Wild Raccoons in Kentucky?

Posted on February 28, 2019 by raccoonremovallouisvilleky

Hunting is a favored pastime for millions of people all over the world. From exotic jungles and desert plains, to dense forests, cavernous mountains, rushing rivers, and more, hunting is a communal effort for both survival and pleasure. It is also a grave responsibility that mandates certain obligations. If you are interested in hunting wild game in your state, it is important to know the regulations before grabbing a bow and heading for the woods.

Hunting Nuisance Wildlife

Many people jump to the idea of hunting after being bothered by nuisance wildlife. In fact, many people ask whether or not they are allowed to trap or hunt wild animals, like raccoons, in their very backyards. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about raccoon hunting laws in Kentucky, and how to stop nuisance raccoons from trespassing onto your property for good.

Raccoon Control Laws for Kentucky

Even though you own your property, you still have to follow local and federal laws that govern wildlife trapping, hunting, and more. Refer to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife (KDFW) for detailed information on such laws in your particular county of residence. In the meantime, here is what you need to know about the laws surrounding hunting on private property in Kentucky:

Private land owners, as well as their spouses and children, are legally allowed to hunt and fish on their land during open season without a permit issued by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Non-resident land owners must purchase a license from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife to be permitted to hunt on their own land. Military land owners stationed out of the state are exempt from this restriction.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife permits private land owners to refuse access to their property to other hunters.

For fur, private land owners can request a fur trapper to remove fur-bearing wildlife, such as raccoons, beavers, and minks, but only during the legal trapping season, which is from mid-November to the end of February.

According to KRS 150.170, “Resident landowners, their spouses, or dependent children who kill or trap on their lands any wildlife causing damage to the lands or any personal property situated thereon shall not be required to have a hunting or trapping license and may do so during periods other than the open season for the particular species. Tenants or their dependent children residing upon the lands, or other persons approved by the commissioner, shall also have the same privilege. Upon destruction of any wildlife by the above-specified individuals, the act shall be reported to the department or the resident conservation officer for the proper disposition of the carcass. Individuals wishing to use the carcass shall contact personnel of the department to request a disposal tag or other authorizing document.”

Recommended Raccoon Removal Alternative

To get rid of nuisance wildlife like raccoons, it is strongly encouraged to seek professional assistance from a Kentucky wildlife removal company.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 502-553-7622 for safe and humaneLouisville 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.

How to Recognize a Rabid Raccoon

Posted on December 26, 2018 by raccoonremovallouisvilleky

One of the biggest concerns among homeowners who frequently spot raccoons on their property is the risk of being exposed to Rabies. This is a reasonable concern considering raccoons are common carriers of the rabies virus. To put your mind at ease, it helps to learn what a rabid raccoon looks like. In turn, this knowledge will help you keep your family and pets safe from the potential of exposure.

Continue reading to review a basic description of how a rabid raccoon appear and behaves, and keep these markers in mind the next time you see an animal acting strangely.

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The Rabies Virus

The Rabies virus is serious because it is usually fatal. Rabies is transmitted through blood, saliva, and other bodily fluids. This means a bite, scratch, or simple mix of fluid can pass the virus onto another host, just like the common cold. Once infected, rabies travels directly to the brain, where it causes inflammation (encephalitis), and ultimately, death. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the Rabies virus once a person or pet is infected.

Rabid Raccoon Signs

Because Rabies affects the central nervous system, it is generally easy to identify through mere observation. Following incubation of the virus, a raccoon will enter an initial period of unusual behavior known as the prodromal stage. The most common sign during this stage is a raccoon active during daytime hours.

Within a few days, signs begin to appear more evident and severe. Raccoons may display very aggressive behavior, just as hissing and barking. They may also display non-aggression behavior, such as drooling, lethargy, and paralysis.

Other common signs of a rabid raccoon include dilated pupils, confused behavior, wobbly stance, difficulty walking or standing, and other types of lost coordination. Once a rabid raccoon enters a state of paralysis, they do not have much longer to live. In this state, they may appear like they are sleeping because they are breathing, but not moving a muscle.

Some additional animals that can carry and transmit rabies include bats, skunks, and fox. Be sure to keep a safe distance from these species as well. And also be sure to keep your pets vaccinated against Rabies and other transmissible diseases.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 502-553-7622 for DNR licensed Louisville raccoon removal and control services that are both safe and humane. We never harm or kill raccoons, and neither should you! Instead, enlist the services of our licensed wildlife rescue contractors for non-lethal raccoon exclusion and control. Request a free estimate, today.

Odd Places You Might Find Raccoons Nesting

Posted on December 13, 2018 by raccoonremovallouisvilleky

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Raccoons are not a hibernating species. However, they do exhibit behaviors that are quite similar to hibernation, but for the majority of the years, raccoons remain active and curious. But even though raccoons do not enter a state of hibernacula (deep sleep with lowered body temperature and heart rate), they do still need cozy shelter to make their nests during the colder seasons. And sometimes, the places they choose are pretty odd. Continue reading to learn some strange places raccoons are known to nest, and what to do if you discover hiding raccoons on your property.

Common Raccoon Habitats

Primary habitats for raccoons in nature include tree cavities, hollowed tree trunks, rock dens, old animal burrows, and similar sheltered areas. As for urban and suburban areas, raccoons have a whole separate set of unique options. Most often, raccoons are found infesting residential and commercial properties; usually in attics, crawl spaces, wall voids, garages, and outdoor structures like sheds and storage units. Here, they will cause an extreme amount of damage over the winter season.

But if raccoons cannot find access inside a home or building, they will look for alternative places to nest for the winter. Some of these places are quite unique, making raccoons a very thrifty species. After all, they are incredible intelligent and retain memory well. That is why raccoons tend to be a persistent problem for property owners; they remember where the good food sources are and will continue to pillage them until they are stopped.

Here are some interesting and odd places you might find raccoons nesting this season:

➥ Stationary Vehicles – It may seem very unsuspecting, but the undercarriages of vehicles can make a cozy little shelter for wildlife. Raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and chipmunks are common nuisance wildlife found nesting underneath an abandoned, stationary, or junk vehicle. Be sure to take extra precaution when checking your vehicle for nesting animals.

➥ Tree Houses – The kids may have outgrown the tree house you built for them years ago, but there are several animals that consider it a gem. Raccoons are one of those animals! They have long claws and dexterous paws that give them excellent climbing ability, allowing them to access tree house with ease. If your kids have not entered the tree house in several months, it is important that you check it for animal nests before it is back in use.

➥ Tall Grass Beds – That tall grass we sometimes plant on our properties can be easily trampled down in the center, creating a circular shelter with tall grassy walls. Animals like raccoons, skunks, and opossum are well-known for using these grasses for nesting areas. It may look like normal grass on the outside, but at a closer glance, you may find a nest in the middle!

➥ Empty Hot Tubs and Pools – If you have a hot tub or swimming pool out of use, be sure it is secured well. Raccoons love to use these vacant spots to make their nests for the winter. And it is certainly not fun for the homeowner since they get quite the surprise when it comes time to re-fill their hot tubs and pools!

Additional Spots You May Find a Hiding Raccoon:

⇢ Mailboxes
⇢ Empty Planters
⇢ Barns
⇢ Chicken Coops
⇢ Roofs
⇢ Enclosed Jungle Gym Slides
⇢ Log Piles
⇢ Chimneys

Got Raccoon Activity Near You?

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What You Need to Know About Rabies Vaccinations

Posted on November 29, 2018 by raccoonremovallouisvilleky

Wild animals are common carriers of the Rabies virus. Many species, especially raccoons, can pass the virus along to other animals and humans through saliva, blood, and other bodily fluids. If you have a curious pet that likes to explore the yard, or you work in a field that may expose you to exotic wildlife like bats and raccoons, it is important to get vaccinated.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about rabies vaccines, for both people and pets.

Louisville Raccoon Removal 502-553-7622

Rabies Vaccines for Pets

The Kentucky Administrative Code statute states that all dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated at 4 months of age, and then re-vaccinated annually, and then re-vaccinated according to manufacturer’s instructions. Pet vaccinations must be administered by a licensed and accredited veterinarian.

Rabies Vaccines for Humans

All cases of rabies in humans were fatal until the vaccine was invented in the early 1900’s. Now, if a person is ever infected with Rabies, they can go to the emergency room and receive effective treatment to stop the virus from multiplying. Rabies vaccinations for children and adults are inexpensive and can be outsourced at any local clinic or medical office. Families can also contact passport health clinics and speak with health travel medical specialists about receiving vaccinations for the rabies virus. Even after exposure, a rabies vaccination can be given to a human for added assurance and protection.

Oral Rabies Vaccines – ORV’s

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, as well as their Wildlife Services department, have been working together or many years to overcome the rabies epidemics plaguing our pets and animals in our nature’s wildlife. For this reason, over the past few decades many states have utilized oral rabies vaccines (ORV’s) in an attempt to control the spread of the rabies virus among their local wildlife.

Rabies Vaccination Schedules

Pre-Exposure Schedule:

⇀ Three Doses Total
⇀ 2nd Dose Administered 7 Days Following First Dose
⇀ 3rd Dose Administered 21-28 Days Following First Dose

Post-Exposure Schedule:

⇀ Four Doses Total Plus One Additional Shot
⇀ 2nd Dose Administered 3 Days Following First Dose
⇀ 3rd Dose Administered 7 Days Following First Dose
⇀ 4th Dose Administered 14 Days Following First Dose
⇀ Additional Shot of Rabies Immune Globulin with First Dose

Post-Exposure Schedule for Someone Previously Vaccinated:

⇀ Two Doses Total
⇀ 2nd Dose Administered 3 Days Following First Dose
⇀ Rabies Immune Globulin Dose Not Necessary

How to Protect Yourself

To best avoid potential exposure to the rabies virus, it is important to avoid contact with wild animals. This includes injured or orphaned ones. If you have raccoons on your property, contact a local animal control service to have them safely and humanely removed.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

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Can I Keep a Raccoon as a Pet in Kentucky?

Posted on November 13, 2018 by raccoonremovallouisvilleky

Whether you have found an exotic raccoon breeder or picked up an abandoned pup, you may be thinking about adding a new pet to the family. But before you do, it is important to review the local and federal laws that govern exotic pet possession and ownership. Continue reading to learn whether or not Kentucky has laws against or surrounding raccoons as pets.

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Kentucky Exotic Pets

All states have laws regarding exotic pet ownership and breeding, all of which differ greatly. Some allow exotic pets, such as bears, large cats, wolf hybrids, venomous reptiles, marine animals, rodents, and more; while others strictly prohibit any type of non-domestic animal possession. The short answer to whether or not you can have a pet raccoon in Kentucky is no. In Kentucky, owning a pet raccoon is against the law. More specifically, “No person may possess an inherently dangerous animal, including primates, dangerous reptiles, bears, large cats and more.”

So if you have found someone selling pet raccoons that they have bred themselves, steer clear. And if you found a stray baby raccoon, do not attempt to interact with it at all. Even if it were legal to domesticate a raccoon as a pet, you wouldn’t want to. See our article, “Raccoons Do Not Make Good Pets” to learn why.

What to Do If You Find a Baby Raccoon

If you discover a baby raccoon, whether on your property or in a public area, your first response should be to keep your distance. Never attempt to touch, trap, harm, or kill a wild animal under any circumstances, especially raccoons. Not only are raccoons capable of scratching you with their long, sharp claws, or biting you with their sharp teeth, they are also known carriers of several infectious diseases, such as Rabies, Roundworm, Distemper, and more. These diseases are transmissible to both people and pets, making a stray a dangerous presence to have around.

Upon finding a raccoon pup, be sure to keep your pets away by placing them inside the house or keeping them on a leash. Once you have your pets protected and secured, contact a licensed Louisville raccoon removal and control company for safe animal rescue and relocation services. They have the proper permits, training, and resources to humanely transport and relocate raccoons to a safe and far away habitat.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

Louisville Raccoon Removal 502-553-7622

If you are experiencing raccoon problems, let us help. We offer 24 hour raccoon removal, as well as, raccoon proofing and prevention, minor restorations for raccoon damages, raccoon cleanup, and much more. We are DNR licensed and insured, and provide both residential and commercial raccoon control services in Louisville, Kentucky and throughout its surrounding areas. Call us directly at 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate or advice, today.

Are Raccoons Afraid of Anything?

Posted on February 5, 2018 by raccoonremovallouisvilleky

It isn’t difficult to find products that are designed to thwart raccoon activity on your property. Many things will repel wild animals from trespassing onto your premises. But sometimes in areas where raccoon populations are high, raccoons become comfortable with humans, and tend to not scare off as easy as they usually would in the wild.

For this reason, many homeowners wonder what actually scares raccoons since they seem to not care about wandering directly up to our patio doors, driveways, and garages. If they are so comfortable near our homes, then what type of situation would make them uncomfortable?

Continue reading to learn some interesting facts about raccoons and what it is that actually scares them.

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Potential Threats For Raccoons

Raccoons do not generally have many predators to steer clear of in the wild, however, there are a few animals in certain regions of the country that will eat or kill raccoons. These particular predators, like mountain lions, cougars, coyotes, and even hawks are animals raccoons will hide from. Also, large dogs can frighten raccoons, causing them to run off as fast as possible for safety.

Other things that frighten raccoons include loud noises and bright lights. Being nocturnal, raccoons prefer the dark and will only tolerate daytime hours if they are foraging for food before winter, sick, or lost from their mother. This means that bright lights of vehicles, porch lamps, flashlights, and more will generally scare them away.

In fact, one common tip for homeowners that experience heightened raccoon activity is to install motion-censored lighting outside. It is also recommended to install sound machines since raccoons are also not a fan of loud noises. Noises like thunder and lightning can scare raccoons, as well as, loud music and foot traffic.

Although they don’t scare raccoons necessarily, certain spices will make them turn their heads. It is said that paprika and cinnamon are two spices that raccoons loathe, so some homeowners sprinkle a generous portion of each around the perimeter of their property to help keep raccoons away. But if you are having raccoon problems on a frequent, or even consistent basis, it is strongly suggested to hire a reputable wildlife control technician for safe and humane raccoon removal.

Louisville Raccoon Removal You Can Trust!

Louisville Raccoon Removal 502-553-7622

Call 502-553-7622 for safe and humane raccoon removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky. Trust our DNR licensed technicians to remove and control raccoon populations on your property, as well as, cleanup raccoon mess and damages professionally. Not only do we offer both residential and commercial raccoon control services, we offer them at the most competitive rates in town! Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate, today!