Raccoons

These primarily nocturnal creatures are usually not seen by homeowners, but their damage certainly is. Raccoons are a danger to both your landscape and the inside of your home. Raccoons will often travel high and low in search of food, including your yard and trash cans. Though their deceptively charming appearance might suggest they’re harmless, raccoons can be responsible for costly damage to your attic. Read more to learn about raccoons and why it’s important to keep them off your property. Give us a call at (817) 431-3007 for help with raccoon removal near you!

Raccoon Problems

• Destructive nesting (insulation damage) & food-seeking behavior
• Damage to walls and floors, due to dropping and urine accumulation
• Diseases and sickness from coming into contact with the raccoon itself or raccoon waste

How & Why to Get Rid of Raccoons

Raccoons are wild animals and some people may find it hard to disturb them in their natural habitat. However, when raccoons approach or enter your home or are too close for comfort, please do not approach them. Healthy raccoons are not friendly, so if a raccoon seems interactive, it is likely rabid. Rabid raccoons are incredibly dangerous to engage with, so we highly recommend calling a professionally trained raccoon removal specialist. Wildlife X Team® can safely remove and relocate raccoons and repair raccoon damage.

More About Raccoons

What Do Raccoons Look Like?

• The raccoon is a medium-sized mammal that was originally only found in North America. Due to the deliberate introduction of the raccoon into other countries, the common raccoon can also be found now in Europe and Japan.
• The average raccoon is around 70 cm from the raccoon's nose to the tip of the raccoon's tail. A fully-grown raccoon can weigh up to 10kg and can live for up to 20 years in captivity. Raccoons in the wild, however, tend to have a much lower life expectancy.
• The most distinctive feature of the raccoon is the black mask found around the eyes of the raccoon. The raccoon has a thick layer of fur which keeps it warm during the cold winters and raccoons also have extremely sensitive and dexterous front paws with raccoons having been observed turning doorknobs and opening jars.
• There are around eight different species of raccoon that range in size but differ little in appearance, found throughout the Americas. The sense of touch is most important for a raccoon and their agile front paws are covered in a spiny coating to protect them when they are not being used to aid eating.

Raccoon Foot Facts

• When climbing and running, raccoons have four feet with five toes on both their front and hind feet which gives the raccoon more stability.
• The underneath of the feet of the raccoon are flat and bare-soled which makes the raccoon waddle rather than walk.
• The front feet of the raccoon are similar to the hands of a human in both appearance and dexterity to allow the raccoon to easily hold onto things.
• When running and balancing the front feet of the raccoon are in use, the larger back feet of the raccoon give the raccoon more power.
• Raccoons have very nimble fingers on their front feet that enable them to untie knots, turn doorknobs, and even open jars.

About Raccoon Teeth

• Raccoons have 40 teeth including four sharp and long canine teeth at the front of the mouth of the raccoon.
• Raccoons use their front hand-like feet to hold onto their food before using their teeth to chew it up and swallow it.
• The sharp canines in the front of the mouth of the raccoon are followed by the premolars which increase in size as they go into the mouth of the raccoon.
• The raccoon uses its premolars and molars to grind up and chew their food until they are able to swallow it.

Did you know? Raccoons are known for their unique habit of washing their food when they are close to water; many believe that it helps raccoons determine what they're eating since their sense of touch is so powerful. However, raccoons will not pass up a tasty treat if there is no water around to wash it in.

Where Do Raccoons Live?

• The raccoon originally inhabited densely wooded areas and large forests but today the raccoon has adapted to living in wetter and mountainous habitats. The raccoon has also moved closer to human communities as the raccoons are able to find food very easily but many homeowners consider them to be pests.
• Raccoons are gray, omnivorous animals surviving on a diet consisting of insects, plants, and small animals such as fish and the occasional bird. Raccoons tend to be nocturnal but it is not uncommon to spot a raccoon during the day.
• Raccoons forage for their food and raccoons are often found close to water.

Raccoon Mating & Birthing Season

When raccoons mate, they have a relatively short gestation period of 9 weeks. During this time, they are looking for the perfect den to have their babies in. This can create a problem for homeowners. Your attic, crawlspace, or porch might be just the place they’re looking for.

Raccoons have babies one time per year. They mate in late winter to spring and have their babies anytime from March to September. Most raccoon babies are born in May. Mother raccoons prefer a dark and secluded area to have their 3-7 little babies.

If you suspect a raccoon has had their babies in your home, it’s important to call a professional like Wildlife X Team. Mother raccoons will do anything to get back to their young, so if you remove the mother raccoon and accidentally seal the babies inside, she will most likely cause great damage.

About Baby Raccoons

• Raccoons tend to mate in the late winter to early spring from January to March. More southernly raccoon species have been known to mate later with the mating season often lasting until June. After a gestation period of around 2 months, the female raccoon will give birth to roughly 5 baby raccoons, also known as cubs or kits.
• The raccoon kits are born blind and deaf, with both senses appearing in the first month. Baby raccoons are not born hairless but instead have a layer of light-colored fur, with the distinctive black mask being visible from birth. Raccoon kits are normally about 10 cm long at birth and weigh around 75 g.

What are the signs of a raccoon problem?

Because raccoons are so large, it’s hard to miss their presence in your home or yard! Common signs of raccoons include broken screens or vents, tipped-over trash cans, thumps in your attic, and large droppings. Raccoons will chew your wires and scratch your insulation. Raccoons are nocturnal, so you will likely hear or notice this activity in the evening hours.

How do I keep the raccoons from coming back?

Once Wildlife X Team® removes the raccoons from your property, we will install prevention methods. This may include screening, caulking, and sealing of entry holes in your home. Other prevention methods you can easily implement include sealing off food sources like bird feeders, pet food, and open trash. We recommend an animal-proof garbage can if you have frequent run-ins with raccoons. 

How much does it cost to remove raccoons?

Each raccoon removal case is different. If you suspect you have a raccoon problem, our experts will evaluate your home using our exclusive Wildlife Inspection Report.

Are raccoons dangerous?

Raccoons can be dangerous because of the diseases they may carry and the property damage they can cause. Raccoon poop may contain roundworm eggs that can be airborne, which is dangerous to inhale. The property damage raccoons can cause can also be dangerous. They will rip your insulation and defecate on it. They will also chew wires and damage your ductwork.

How do I know if a raccoon has rabies?

Common signs of rabies include difficulty walking, foaming at the mouth, aggressive behavior, and choking. If you suspect a raccoon has rabies, stay away from it and call Wildlife X Team® as soon as possible.