Raccoons Trapping

Raccoons are trapped to stop the damage they cause in the attic or outside on the property. These animals are well known carriers of rabies. They break into attics to raise their young. They use swimming pools as their own toilet.

There are 3 main ways to trap a raccoon:

1. Retrieve the litter by hand and use as bait to catch the mother raccoon.

The raccoon litter is removed by hand once located in the attic. This method is relatively dangerous as the mother raccoon is likely in the attic and will defend her young. Mother raccoons will do anything for their young.
This method involves quite a bit of skill. If you cannot safely move around in the attic, call a professional.

2. With the raccoon known to be inside the attic, set the trap at the entry point and structurally force the raccoon to enter the trap as it comes out.

getting the raccoon out of the attic image

No animal can enter an attic and stay there. They all have to come out sooner or later for food and water. A trap over the entry hole, secured so that the animal cannot bypass the trap, is an excellent way to be certain to catch the target animal. Some entry points do not allow this type of setup.

3. Catch raccoons with live humane traps on the ground baited with delicious foods.

This is a poor method if the problem raccoon is inside the attic. But sometimes, its the only method. If the problem is raccoons pooping in the pool, digging in the trash, or ripping up screened in porches, then this is the correct approach. Raccoons like everything, so the choice of bait isn't terribly important. If meat products are used, especially catfood or tuna - you will increase the odds that you will catch a cat! If the raccoon has been caught before, the raccoons may stay away from the traps.

	Animals in the attic? Attic pest control for immediate expert critter help! Wildlife Patrol: 407-810-1381

The raccoon can be recognized by its notorious black mask and tail with black rings. Adult raccoons can be up to 3 feet long and weigh between 10 to 60 pounds. Raccoons have a whitish gray coat. This fur is long and dense, a grizzled brown and black color that has often been described as "salt and pepper." The tail can grow to be fifteen inches. A tail can have five to seven black rings on it. Although, raccoons are carnivores and have long canine teeth, their molar teeth are adapted for a varied diet which includes more than just meat. They have sharp claws so they can climb trees eat birds and open shell fish like clams and oysters. Raccoons are mostly nocturnal animals. Yet they are seen in the daytime. First, once we identify if it is a raccoon we find out where they live. Determining whether they are living in your house or just passing by, Once we determine if it is living in your house we find the entrances, strategically setting traps. If the raccoon is passing by we determine its path and strategically set traps. All animals are live trapped. Note that raccoon feces is potentially hazardous to ones health. If a raccoon has been living in your home it is recommended that a professional clean and decontaminate the infested area. Raccoon feces may carry round worm eggs which may cause Baylisascaris procyonis.

The Adult Raccoon vary in size from 24-46 inches in total length and weigh from 12 - 25 pounds. They are easy to recognize because of their ringed tail and black mask. The raccoon has a long fine coat and a busy tail with 4 to 7 prominent dark rings. Raccoons live near streams, lakes, and marshes. Raccoons prefer swampy areas or woods near water and are absent from very high elevations and very arid regions. They are found throughout the United States except for large parts of some of the western states, they are omnivorous. They normally prefer the use of hollow trees or logs, rock crevices, abandoned animal burrows for dens. However they can make a nuisance of themselves raiding the garbage cans and tearing up lawns. They will also use your home structures for dens including: chimneys, attics, and hollow areas beneath porches and buildings. Raccoons mate in January to March and have a 63 day gestation period. A litter commonly contains one to seven young. The family group is sociable, remaining together for about 1 years. Although raccoons may live 14 years or more in captivity, they seldom survive beyond seven years in the wild. In some areas, raccoons become dormant in winter. Their diet consist primarily of insects, crayfish, mussels, fish and frogs during the Spring and early Summer. During the late summer and fall, fruits, berries, nuts, and grains are also eaten. Raccoons are most active at night and are not commonly spotted. If you see one during the day, it could be a possibility that they are sick or injured. Do not approach a raccoon at any time, especially one spotted during the day time. Raccoons can contract several diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans or pets. Rabies is the greatest concern. The eastern states have the highest incidence of rabies in animals. Although very few US residents get rabies from these animals, people should be careful with ones that act abnormally. Raccoons are members of the bear family, and are very strong. They are not normally aggressive towards humans but will defend itself if it feels threatened, or if you are near it's young.

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