Raccoons

Description

Raccoons have greyish or brown fur tinted with yellow or orange. They

have a distinctive black "mask" across the eyes and 4 - 7 black bands on the tail. Mature Raccoons can be over 3 feet long and weigh over 40 lbs, and live an average of 7 - 10 years.

Raccoons are found throughout North America; they have a home range of about 1 - 2 miles in diameter, in poorer habitat adult males may have a home range of 10 square miles and adult females about 3 square miles. Adult females and their young will live in a smaller area, about ¾ mile in diameter.

Raccoons live along streams, marshes, lakes, ponds in hollow logs or trees and in rock dens and burrows. In urban areas Raccoons will live in attics, chimneys and garages, whether the premises are occupied or unoccupied. They enter attics either by the vents, which may or may not be screened, or by tearing off a few shingles and entering straight into the attic.

Raccoons are usually nocturnal and are excellent agile climbers. During snow storms Raccoons usually remain in their dens for a few days, singly or in groups, both sexes and all ages. Raccoons do not hibernate. They can be extremely vicious if cornered and can inflict fatal wounds on larger animals. Female Raccoons are extremely protective of their young.

Raccoons are carnivores (meat eaters) but are omnivorous, eating both animal and plant matter. In urban areas they raid garbage cans at night. They eat also fruits, berries, nuts, corn, honey and grasses. Raccoons eat also Squirrels, Rabbits, Mice, Ducks, Geese, Birds, Fish. They are known to raid chicken coops and poultry barns.

Raccoons mate in February or March, and may remain sexually active until July. The gestation period is 63 days. Female Raccoons are sexually mature in 10 - 12 months. An average of 4 young are born, usually in April or May. They are cared for by the female until early winter.

Raccoons that have been trapped have been found up to 75 miles from the release site.

Raccoons and Disease

Raccoons are parasitized by Lice, Ticks, Fleas, Roundworms, Flukes, Tapeworms and Botfly larvae. They are known to have Rabies, Distemper, Tuberculosis and a skin disease caused by a fungus.

For more information visit Raccoons and Diseases

Prevention

In urban areas marauding Raccoons can be a serious problem. Strong metal garbage cans with lids are recommended. Plastic containers are no match for a Raccoon.

Chimneys should be capped with ¼" or ½" wire mesh. Attic vents should be screened also with ¼" or ½" wire mesh. Raccoons can squeeze through a hole with a diameter of only 4".

Control

Trapping is the only legal method of control in urban areas, and a Raccoon is a tough, wily animal and catching him, or her, can be a frustrating experience.

Trap#54136 is a safe and humane trap designed for trapping nuisance Raccoons.

• Sturdy construction allows trapping destructive Raccoons that are notorious for wrecking conventional traps.

• Double mesh in critical areas prevent Raccoons or other animals from tripping the trap mechanism if they try to pick bait from outside of the trap.

• Protective guard strategically located around the handle prevents trapped animal from biting or clawing whilst being carried or when relocating the animal after capture.

• Trap Cover that fits over the Raccoon trap is available.

Catch Pole snares may also be used effectively in conjunction with trapping

Poisoning is not only illegal - it is the height of stupidity -

40 LBS OF ROTTING RACCOON IN THE WALLS OF A HOUSE

OR IN THE ATTIC IS NOT SOMETHING TO SNIFF AT !!!

For treatment of Raccoon Urine and Feces odors use "EarthCare" Odor Remover