|
|
|
Identify
Nuisance Wildlife
|
Raccoons
|
|
Description
& Habitat
The
raccoon is a small primarily nocturnal
mammal, adults measure twenty
to thirty inches in length, and can weigh up to thirty-five pounds, though in
urban areas where
they thrive on our refuse
raccoons can weigh up to 60 pounds.
Their
fur is grayish brown with a
bushy banded tail and black
masked face. Raccoons appear
to flourish in places where humans have developed
the land. They are highly
adaptable, extremely
intelligent animals
that live well in cities,
suburbs, and rural
environments. Their
preferred habitat consists of brushy or wooded areas near streams, lakes,
or swamps. A distinct black mask, outlined in white, extends across
the raccoon's eyes, cheeks, and snout, while the rest of its rounded body
is covered in dense, gray or brown fur. Their long, bushy tail is
ringed with four or more black stripes.
Disease
Rabies - is an acute, fatal
encephalomyelitis caused by
neurotropic viruses. It is almost always
transmitted by an animal bite
that innoculates the virus
into wounds. Any racoon bite or
scratch should receive prompt
local treatment by thorough
cleansing of the wound
with
copious amounts of soap and
water; this local treatment
will significantly reduce the
risk of rabies. Anyone who may have been exposed to
rabies should be advised to
always contact local health
authorities immediately for
advice about postexposure
prophylaxis and should also
contact their personal physician as soon as possible.
Giardiasis
- This disease, found in
beavers and other animals is a
diarrheal illness caused by a
one-celled, microscopic
parasite that lives in the intestine of
people and animals. It has
become recognized
as one of the most common
causes of waterborne disease
(drinking and recreational) in
humans in the United States.
The symptoms associated with
giardiasis range from none (in
light infections) to severe,
chronic diarrhea. Giardia
may be found in soil, food,
water, or surfaces that have been contaminated. To
protect yourself, practice
good hygiene and avoid drinking or eating
anything that
may be contaminated. Boiling
or filtering water removes the organisms that
cause this disease.
Roundworm
- Baylisascaris procyonis
is the name of the species
found commonly in
raccoons. Infected
raccoons commonly shed
millions of eggs in their
feces Anyone who is
exposed to environments where
raccoons live is potentially
at risk. Hunters,
trappers, taxidermists, and
wildlife professionals may
also be at increased risk if
they handle raccoons or
raccoon feces.
For
more information on these
diseases contact:
The
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
at 800-311-3435
or e-mail them at:
http://www.cdc.gov/netinfo.htm
Damage
Raccoons cause damage or nuisance problems
when they seek to gain entrance to attics or chimneys or when they raid
garbage cans in search of food. Roccoons matte down insulation closing R
values. Occasionally, they will gain access into
chimneys, attics,
basements, crawl space beneath houses, under patios/ decks, and out buildings.
Your lawn,
garden, or field crop can be
ruined
by these mischievous animals. There
can be odors, risk of disease, and damage to interior ceilings. Raccoons are also
very adept
at gaining access to weak or open areas of a poultry pen.
Damage
Control
Raccoons
should not be handled by
inexperienced individuals because of the risk of rabies
infection. Companies and
individuals with special licenses are
allowed to remove raccoons and
other
wildlife that are causing
damage. Raccoons may be
relocated.
ADC
Solutions
Once they are living in a structure, raccoons should be
removed and the structure sealed up. A
qualified ADC wildlife
professional will
find the entry point that
the raccoon is using to enter
the structure. We then
remove the offending animals
with cage traps. When
we are
confident the problem raccoon(s) have been removed,
the entry
point holes need to be patched. This is a very
important step to prevent
re-infestation.
For expert advice and solutions
to nuisance wildlife problems,
Call
Us Now!
Office:
303-884-9100
{TOP OF
PAGE}
|
|