Raccoons are common throughout the United States. Their natural habitats are wooded areas near water sources like ponds and streams. However, they are also frequently found in suburban and urban areas.
While harmless in their natural habitats, raccoons can be very destructive neighbors. This is why if raccoons have infested your home, professional raccoon removal is a must.
Why Racoons Are Considered Pests
Raccoons that live near humans tend to forage through garbage for food, toppling garbage cans and leaving strewn trash in their wake.
What’s more, raccoons carry several infectious diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets, such as canine and feline distemper, leptospirosis, canine parvovirus, giardiasis and tularemia. Worryingly, raccoons are among the primary carriers of the rabies virus in the United States.
Even if a raccoon doesn’t carry rabies or any other infectious disease, it can still cause harm by damaging property. Outside, raccoons can destroy gardens, dig up crops, damage trees and even kill chickens.
They can pull apart vents, soffits and roofing to enter a home. Once inside, they can cause further property damage by chewing up insulation and wires as well as leaving urine stains and droppings inside HVAC systems.
If you suspect that raccoons have entered your property, it is crucial to contact a raccoon home removal company for assistance. But how do you know if you have raccoons in your home? The following are the signs to watch out for.
Five Tell-Tale Signs You’re Dealing With a Racoon Infestation
1. Raccoon Paw Prints
Racoon tracks are distinctive, as raccoon paw prints resemble small human hands. Raccoons have five finger-like toes on each forepaw. Meanwhile, hind paw prints look similar, but the toes are closer together. If you see such paw prints in or around your property, likely, raccoons have already made themselves at home.
2. Stray Garbage
Raccoons are nicknamed “trash pandas” due to the panda-like markings around their eyes as well as their habit of rummaging through garbage bins and pawing through trash. Raccoons are attracted to the smell of garbage and can pry open trash can lids.
If you see trash strewn across your yard, garbage cans turned over and ripped trash bags, raccoons have been on your property. Raccoons also like to dig through compost bins and eat from pet food bowls left on porches and outdoor dog houses, so be sure to check those places as well. Your next step is to determine if the raccoons have found their way inside your home or just remained in your yard or lawn.
3. Scratching Noises at Night
While they may occasionally venture outside during dawn and dusk, raccoons are primarily active at night. So, if you hear scratching or scurrying in the evenings from an animal larger than a mouse or rat, then it might be from a raccoon that has taken up residence in your attic. Other common raccoon sounds you should keep an ear out for are purring, snarling and chittering.
4. Raccoon Droppings
Raccoons aren’t picky about where they choose to do their business. If you see piles of raccoon droppings or urine stains inside your home, it’s time to call for raccoon removal services.
Fortunately, raccoon droppings aren’t too difficult to identify. They are dark, tubular and relatively large, about two to three inches long. If you have dogs, you can tell their droppings apart by looking for undigested food. Raccoon droppings typically contain bits of berries.
Additionally, raccoons often pick the same spots to deposit their droppings. If you find one of these “community latrines” outside your property, such as under the deck or in a wood pile, it’s a sure sign you have a raccoon den inside your house.
5. Exterior Property Damage
If a raccoon wants to get inside your property but can’t find a means of entry, it will make one by tearing out chunks from the exterior. Raccoons can damage roofing, windows, doors, crawl spaces and soffits in their quest to enter your property, as well as scratch woodwork. As such, exterior property damage is a sign that raccoons have infested your home.
Get Rid of Raccoons With Help From a Trusted Animal Control Company
Since 2007, Quick-Catch has been providing effective and humane wildlife removal and animal control services to customers in North Florida and surrounding areas. We specialize in helping protect people from wildlife by removing potentially dangerous animals and pests from their homes.
Our experienced team traps everything from raccoons to wild hogs. We also provide animal intrusion services for continued protection against pests.
Get fast, friendly assistance with a raccoon infestation. Call Quick Catch today at 904-859-6585 to learn more about our raccoon removal services.
