Raccoons

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are nocturnal (active at night), 2-3' long including the tail, and weigh about 10-20 lbs. These animals are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal foods such as fruits, nuts, bird eggs, insects, amphidians, and small rodents. Raccoons nest in tree cavities, burrows in the ground, sewers, attics, and garages. Damages that can occur due to raccoon activity are: garden crops can be raided as well as garbage cans, they will roll sod in search for insects, grubs, or worms, they can tear shingles and vents when entering attics, and they will enter chimneys to either hide or give birth. Raccoons carry ecto-parasites such as ticks, mites, and fleas. There is currently an outbreak of raccoon rabies in the northeast United States. Trapping raccoons is the most effective way of controling them. Traps are not set inside the house due to poor lighting and the den is a shelter not a feeding site. Typical entries to homes are roof vents, louvre vents, soffit vents, rotten fascia boards, chimneys, and they can even rip through the roof if the wood is soft.

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