New Jersey Rabies Concerns create Raccoon Problems

A professional will humanely remove both baby and adult raccoons from your property.

Who would try to burn baby raccoons alive?  Or beat them to death?  Or drown them?  No one in their right mind, but such things happen in New Jersey when people motivated by fear want to get rid of raccoons and take matters into their own hands. 

Since rabies returned to New Jersey, and raccoons are the number one carriers of this always fatal disease, raccoons are more hated and feared than pit-bulls in the eye of the public.  You can read this article from the New York Times for more information.

There are significant dangers from rabid raccoons, and a number of other diseases associated with the animals, but do-it-yourself raccoon removal is not the way to get rid of raccoons.  People who are concerned about wild animals on their property need to contact a wildlife control specialist who can get rid of the animals efficiently and humanely.  Depending on local laws and regulations, the animals will be euthanized or relocated, but they won’t be abused.  Click here for more information about Allstate Animal Control’s Raccoon Removal Services.

One thing the do-it-yourselfers may not have considered is the danger they are placing themselves in.  Wild animals are unpredictable.  Even experienced wildlife control experts have seen very dangerous situations develop unexpectedly when working around raccoons.  The animals will attack without notice and it takes special equipment and quick reactions to defend against such an assault. 

When it is time to get rid of raccoons, and such times do come, hire a professional.  It is safer for you, kinder to the animals, and most likely to result in a successful outcome.

Nationwide raccoon control: 1-888-488-7720

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Clean-up after BIG Raccoon (and Deer Mouse) Party near Park City, Utah

It took a lot of manpower to clean, disinfect and deodorize the cabin after raccoons ransacked it.

She sounded nearly frantic over the phone, “We’ve tried to clean it up, but I…well, I think we might just have to burn the cabin down!” 

“What?” 

“Our family cabin at Oakley…raccoons have destroyed it…you wouldn’t believe the mess….I don’t know if anything can save it now.” 

I talked to her for quite a while and was able to put the story together.  She is part of a large family that has a cabin in the Oakley, Utah area, near Park City, Utah.  The area is not easily accessible during the winter and no one had been there for several months.  What they found when the opened the door was so bad they just stood there stunned for a while—ring-tailed vandals had broken in sometime late in the previous fall and spent the winter.  The animals were gone now, so she didn’t exactly need raccoon removal, but she did need removal of raccoon memories and some measures taken to make sure this wouldn’t happen again.  

In addition, the raccoons had made the place so welcoming that a positive infestation of Deer Mice was underway.  The place was so full of raccoon and Deer Mouse excrement and urine and destroyed furniture (all the stuffing pulled out) and broken dishes and torn up clothing and ripped out rugs…in all my years in the raccoon removal business this is one of the worst scenes I have witnessed. 

I told the homeowner that we could help, but it would take a few days, a lot of man power and a large dumpster to complete this unusual raccoon removal.  

It took seven people in protective gear to clean and disinfect the cabin.  When we were done there was a full dumpster of all the items that could not be salvaged and the interior smelled and looked like it was ready for company. 

In order to make sure we wouldn’t be back again next year for another round of raccoon removal we also addressed some problems with the exterior of the cabin.  We did maintenance and repair to soffits, roofs and windows.  Then we cleared away foliage and debris that provided cover for all these unwanted guests to sneak in.  We pruned trees, trimmed shrubs and bushes and mowed long grass. 

This is an example of complete raccoon removal (not to mention the mice, which we also dealt with).  The cabin did need a lot of work, but it didn’t need burning down.  The owners we so very pleased with the results that the family has used the cabin more this year than they had for sometime.  They know it is clean and ready for use—and not being used by party-time raccoons and their friends.  I love it when raccoon removal has such a happy ending.

Nationwide Animal Cleanup & Decontamination Services: 1-888-488-7720

No-Kill Options for Urban Wildlife

Nationwide Wildlife Control: 1-888-488-7720

Some wildlife, such as mud swallows, woodpeckers and bats, can be relocated without euthanization.

More and more often people contact me looking for no-kill options for wildlife and even for domestic animals that they have on their property.  These animals might be bats in their garage or pigeons roosting on their office building.  It is hard for people to understand why some animals are euthanized.

The good news is that some wild animals can be removed without euthanization.  Examples are bats, mud swallows and woodpeckers.  We vent the animals out and perform maintenance to prevent them from returning.  They are free to find a new roost or colony location.  We use repellents for mud swallows and woodpeckers, which, again, are free to relocate themselves. 

However, the most common urban wildlife like raccoons, pigeons and feral cats, usually cannot be legally relocated.  The easy answer is “that is the law” and people reply “the law is wrong” or “the law can be changed” or even “To $&%* with the law, I’m going to do the right thing, legal or not.” But, before you act remember that there are reasons why euthanization laws exist.  

Urban wildlife carries more disease than their rural cousins. If we trap a city raccoon, for example, and take it out to the country it is likely to infect the rural population.

Most areas in the United States where each of these animals can live already support a near-capacity population.  If you relocate an animal, it will fight established animals for territory.  Someone will lose. 

Urban animals often do not adapt to rural living.  A fast-food raccoon does not know how to catch fish from a running stream.

Pigeons will return to their original roost from over 500 miles away, making relocation near impossible. Other animals will return from remarkable distances, far longer than you would expect.

I do not like to euthanize animals, but I understand that it is often in the best interest of everyone involved.  I am certain a painless passing in a CO Chamber is more merciful than bleeding to death from a fight or slow starvation.  I can assure you that we do treat the animals in a caring and humane way when we are called in to perform animal removal.

There are things you can do to help.  

1. Feral populations of cats are the result of owners not neutering or spaying their pets.  Be responsible. Don’t contribute to the problem. 
2. Don’t attract wild animals to your property by providing food like trash or dog food. 
3. Keep your home or business well-maintained and secure so the animals can’t get inside and take up residence.
4. If you do find that a wild animal is living on your property, act quickly before they breed and a whole group of animals must be removed. 

Nocturnal Noises in Los Angeles

Once the raccoon family was removed and the attic cleaned up, the house was much more peaceful.

It is 9 p.m. and my kids are finally in bed.  It has been one of “those days” and I am so tired I could cry.  This should be the time when I can finally sit down and unwind or maybe even go to bed, but no!  Here I am at the computer typing because the house is not quiet and I am still totally stressed out.  My kids are in bed, but the baby raccoons in my attic are just waking up.  Yes, I can hear them, scuffling around and crying and who knows what all.  

Their mom must be out, because I can just tell they are being naughty. Moms always know.  I guess baby raccoons are like any other babies.  When mom isn’t looking they decide to party.  I wonder what they are really doing up there?

The mom moved in early this spring, looking for a place to have babies, I guess.  We found a place torn loose in the soffit in the back of the house.  We sort of tried to put it back into place, but the animal just pulled it loose again.  I had other things to think about and my husband got busy with stuff and so we haven’t got around to doing anything more about it….until now.

I just heard a big thump—what are those creatures doing, professional wrestling? 

I try to keep this house clean, but with three kids running around all the time, it isn’t easy.  It is often cluttered with everything from shoes to sippy cups.  Clutter I can handle, but now it is starting to smell.  It finally occurred to me (you can tell I am sleep deprived) that there is no one changing diapers up there.  Those animals have probably turned my attic into a toilet—disgusting!  No wonder things are less than fresh.  If I hadn’t changed a diaper or taken out the trash in the past two months, this house would be unlivable.

I kind of guess it is becoming unlivable right now, because above my head (I just heard a sort of squeal.  That would mean someone had just pushed someone else if it happened down here.) there is a mother raising baby raccoons and never changing diapers, flushing toilets or taking out the garbage. 

Something has got to be done or I will lose my mind.  I am getting my husband on this first thing in the morning.  I am not sure what he will do about the baby raccoons and their nightly pajama party, but something has got to change…

Raccoon Removal: 1-888-488-7720

Raccoons den in an attic in Park City, Utah

These baby raccoons were removed from the attic with their mother.

I recently supplied my raccoon removal services in Park City, Utah for a young couple.  This couple had recently married and moved into their first rental home. The first night in their new place, they heard thumping sounds coming from the attic, like something was walking up there. They thought it was possibly mice, but were not quite sure. They waited until the next day when they heard catlike noises coming from the ceiling. The husband climbed up into the attic and found large dog-like droppings.  They were not sure what was going on so they contacted my professional wild animal removal business. 

I told them that I would be happy to come out and look at the situation, but could not because they were not the owners of the home. They contacted their landlord and told him what was going on. Later, he hired me to come and assess the problem.

When I arrived at the home, I did a thorough search of the attic and found a mother raccoon with her four babies living up there. The female renter was shocked when I told her that there were raccoons in the ceiling.

“I am just amazed,” she said. “I didn’t even know that we had raccoons around here.”

Not many people in Utah know how prevalent raccoons are in the area. They cause thousands of dollars of damage to homes every year.

I trapped the female raccoon and the babies and removed them from the property.  Then I went back in and cleaned up the mess the animals had made in the insulation and floor of the attic. The landowner was happy to pay for the removal because he previously had raccoons in another rental where they caused havoc.

Nationwide Raccoon Removal: 1-888-488-7720

Raccoon damage to Koi Ponds in Los Angeles

No more koi for this raccoon in Los Angeles.

Contact Allstate Animal Control: 1-888-488-7720

Oh, boy-tasty koi! 

Eating koi, you’ve got to be kidding?!  Not if you are a raccoon.  These animals love koi, and their fetish for fish is one of the most common complaints we get from people who have installed koi ponds in their yards. 

People in Los Angeles love their koi ponds.  The climate is so temperate that the fish and beautiful water plants thrive year-round.  Unfortunately, the peace and beauty of the ponds is ruined when “masked bandits” show up to eat the fish, tear up the plants and leave raccoon droppings in the water.

This letter is typical:

            “A band of raccoons came to our pond this weekend and ate our koi–just bit their heads off and tossed the rest aside.  My wife cried.  It was so sad.  Now I have to figure out how to safeguard the pond and get some new koi.”

Here are some things to consider before installing a koi pond in the Los Angeles area:

• 1. Make the pond at least three feet deep. Raccoons might like to wash their hands, but they don’t want to get their whole body wet.
• 2. The sides of the pond should be vertical, or at least very steep. Shallows encourage predators.
• 3. Use lots of plants, both in the water and on the pond edge. This gives fish places to hide and, again, discourages predators.

Unfortunately, once the raccoons have figured out that they can get a free lunch at your place, they aren’t going to just go away.  You will have to get rid of them permanently.  The best method is by hiring a professional trapper who has experience catching raccoons in California.  

I can help people get new koi, but I always encourage them to contact a wildlife control technician to safeguard their ponds and get rid of the raccoons.  Allstate Animal Control is very popular with my customers and I recommend them with confidence.  They have a unique online directory to help you find an independent wildlife pro anywhere in the country.  Keep your koi!  Get rid of the ‘coons! Get more information on Allstate’s professional animal removal services and online directory at:  http://www.AllstateAnimalControl.com

Portland Editorial: Raccoon Poison is Not Humane

Trapping is much more humane for raccoons than poisoning, and safer for non-target animals.

Contact Allstate Animal Control: 1-888-488-7720

“Kill raccoons!”  “Trap raccoons!” “Poison Raccoons!”  It seems that all I hear is people complaining about animals and how much trouble they cause and how many ways can we kill them?!  I love animals and hate to see them treated cruelly.  The worst of all, though, is the “poison” idea, and I want to talk a little about why poisons are not appropriate for raccoons.

These are big animals, which I’m sure you’ve noticed if you have seen them in your yard or heard them in your attic.  They can weigh over 50 pounds!  The most common poison people try to use against these animals is common rat poison from a hardware store.  This is effective against mice and rats; it isn’t raccoon poison.  It rarely kills the animals outright, but, instead, tortures them through internal bleeding.  It isn’t right.

Second, and think about this, if it would kill a raccoon, although it usually doesn’t, won’t it kill anything else that eats it?  The most common victims of raccoon poison are birds, squirrels and dogs.  They are innocent.  They didn’t hurt you at all.  You need to be responsible for all God’s creatures and don’t let your anger at one animal cloud your judgment.

I understand that you are upset about the animals tearing up your yard, making noise in your attic and eating your fish.  BUT, poison isn’t the answer.  If you just can’t live with them anymore, OK.  I guess you are entitled to your own opinion, but be responsible.  Trap the animals.  Humane traps are available and much better than poison. 

I found one company that makes humane animal treatment a priority, and that is Allstate Animal Control.  If you need assistance with raccoon removal, and want to do it right, hire a wild animal removal company. These guys are professionals, know the law and will keep the well-being of the animal in mind.  You can use their online directory to find lists of qualified trappers in the Portland area, or anywhere in the United States.

Raccoon Pest Control problem in Portland, Oregon

Two raccoons in your building means double the trouble! They sure are cute, though.

Allstate Animal Control: 1-888-488-7720

Did you know that the population density of raccoons is higher in Portland than in the wilds of Oregon?  It is true!   The animals thrive in the city because there is a lot of food and shelter.  Here are a few suggestions from Allstate Animal Control of what you can do about the raccoon pest control problem in Portland.

Stop providing the animals with food. Garbage, pet food, gardens, fruit and nut trees, bird feeders….you name it and it is raccoon food. No, they won’t starve. If they get hungry, they won’t be so eager to stay. 

Don’t let them in your home.  You might think this goes without saying, but it is easier said than done because these animals have very strong hands and very determined personalities.  Remember that these guys go both low (under decks) and high (attics and chimneys) in search of shelter.  They will find holes that are there already or make new ones, if necessary.  You can make them unwelcome with careful maintenance and sturdy, raccoon-proof materials.

Remember that no matter how cute they are, these animals are not pets.  In fact, it is illegal to keep them as pets in Oregon. And you wouldn’t want to.  Babies seem fluffy and innocent, but mature adults are territorial and aggressive and give out bites and scratches much more often that cuddly hugs.  Even very clean raccoons carry an amazing number of parasites and diseases and transmission to domestic pets and humans is common.

The only effective solution to these pest animals is humane trapping and removal. Some wild animals can be successfully relocated; raccoons are not one of them.  It is illegal to relocate these animals in Oregon without a special permit because the Portland animals are commonly infested with dangerous diseases and will spread them to other populations. Also, strange animals introduced into a local population result in territorial fighting that leaves animals severely injured or dead.

Help solve the pest raccoon control problem in Portland.  Do not attract the animals to your home, and do not feed them if they show up. Do not let them in if you can help it. Do not treat them like pets.

If they become a nuisance by invading your home, fighting with your pets or destroying your yard and garden, have them removed by a wildlife control company.  It is necessary for your safety and for the overall health and safety of the population.  Allstate Animal Control has a great online directory with listings of wildlife removal professionals who perform raccoon pest control all over the country.  You can use the directory for FREE!  Get more information on professional wildlife services at:

Allstate Animal Control

Denver Raccoon Control

This raccoon entered the house through a cat door.

Beware cat doors if you live anywhere there even might be raccoons.  We moved in to this house in the foothills outside Denver, CO about a year ago.  It had a cat flap in the back door which was just right for our cat, Boozer.  The cat went in and out as he wished and it was all good.  One night I heard a terrible noise and walked to the back porch and there was a raccoon in the house!  Yes, right in the house!  I went and opened the door from the outside and was able to spook the creature out.  We were all a little shaken, but I thought that was the end of it.

 Nope, the next night I heard the noise and went back quite a bit faster and caught the animal trying to get in again.  Well, that was enough.  We fastened the flap down.  The next night the animal was back again, now scratching and clawing at the cat flap, trying to force it open.  This went on for a few weeks.  The door was being ruined.  No more freedom for the cat.  No more freedom for us.  My wife was terrified.  I was pretty scared myself.  If felt like a prisoner in my house and the noise was something from a horror movie.

 We tried to scare the raccoons away, but no luck.  Lights, loud noises…I guess they could tell it was a bluff.  We finally started looking for options.  We looked online and found the Allstate Animal Control directory of professional trappers.  I called the number on the Denver page and reached a trapper who reassured me that he could help control raccoons inside or outside or in between.

They sent out a technician who set a live trap.  The next night the raccoon showed up, right on schedule.  After a futile attempt at the door again he must have taken the bait, because I got to hear a new sound!  The sound of the trap closing on the raccoon.  I called the trapper back and he came to get the trap.  The raccoon was removed and I don’t have to worry about him any more. 

 We are again living in peace: my wife, me and Boozer.  Thank you Allstate, for helping us locate someone who knew what to do!

 If you have raccoon problems, call Allstate Animal Control: 1-888-488-7720.  Or use their directory to find a trapper who can control raccoons on your property.

Raccoons and Kids in Salt Lake City, UT

 

 

Raccoons look cute and cuddly, but are wild animals and should be treated with caution.

The Salt Lake City and Ogden areas of Utah are famous for their outdoor activity and great wildlife spotting.  The mountains are so close, and it is not unusual to see deer, or even moose, in town and suburban areas.  Smaller wildlife is even more common—coyotes, skunks and raccoons are often found right in town.  Raccoon pest control becomes a part of everyday life in Utah.  An all too common occurrence in Utah is children in medical clinics with wild animal bites—frequently from a raccoon. 

The people of Utah are very used to seeing animals, which is a great opportunity, but you need to make sure the exposure is safe. Kids read stories and see movies that make the animals seem safe and even friendly.  This creates a potentially dangerous situation when kids approach wildlife, like raccoons, that have found their way into yards. 

Kids sometimes believe these masked bandits are pets they can play with or a cartoon character–especially cute raccoon babies or adults that look round and cuddly like a stuffed animal.  But, if a raccoon allows you to get up to it and touch it, which a child will want to do, it is almost certainly sick, possibly with rabies. Rabies is a virus that attacks the nervous system and is 100 percent fatal if untreated.  Vaccinations are available, but are themselves painful and traumatic.

Teach your children to avoid wild animals that do not act like wild animals.  Teach children that it is cruel to tease or torment a wild animal. Teach your children that these animals belong in the wild and not in your yard.

When you hire a professional trapper to get rid of raccoons, you can be sure you are doing the right thing for your family and for the animal. If possible, it will be relocated, depending on circumstances and local regulations.  If it is sick, it will be mercifully euthanized.  There are only a few companies out there that you can trust to protect your family and to treat the raccoon with care and respect.  The best one that I know of is Allstate Animal Control.  You can call them anytime and they will help you with the wildlife that has come a little too close.

To learn more about Allstate, check this out:

http://www.AllstateAnimalControl.com

1-888-488-7720