Understanding the Urban Raccoon

Of all the wild animals living in Mississauga, the raccoon has become common in our urban areas. The urban raccoon is a distinctive mammal, easily recognizable from other creatures, weighing between 15-23 pounds, and known for its signature black-ringed eyes and fluffy, striped tail.

While they may seem cute, urban raccoons are often considered nuisance wildlife due to their scavenging habits and tendency to raid trash cans and gardens and bust into attics. Despite this, raccoon invasions can thrive in rural and suburban Mississauga areas, finding everything they need to survive in our cities and suburbs. Many experts believe that we can learn to coexist with these charismatic creatures by understanding their behaviour and making small changes to our habits.

Whether you love them or not, there’s no denying that these cunning critters have made themselves at home in our cities; they’re used to urban living and have become an essential part of our urban ecosystem.

Encountering Raccoons: The Best Practices to Follow

Encountering raccoons can be an unforgettable experience, but it’s important to remember that they are omnivores and carriers of parasites that can affect humans and their pets. When encountering wildlife like raccoons, it’s best to stay clear to ensure your safety.

These cute and fuzzy creatures may seem harmless, but they can carry diseases such as distemper and rabies. It’s also important to avoid raccoon feces, as it can contain harmful parasites that are dangerous to humans and pets.

Face masks and gloves should be worn if disposing of raccoon droppings on your property. While instances of contracting these diseases from raccoons are sporadic, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. So, if you come across a raccoon, admire the little guy from a distance and avoid any potential risks.

If you notice a lot of raccoon activity in your yard, it’s essential to take action as soon as possible. Leave them be if they’re just outside climbing trees or passing through, but any activity on your roof should be investigated. These skilled climbers can cause extensive damage to your property, especially if they start habitating in your attic or roof.

As experienced technicians will tell you, a raccoon can easily create an entry point and gain access to your roof. They are notorious for creating holes, climbing inside, and making it their home. Besides creating the entry points, they can damage the insulation, scratch on the wood, and chew on electrical wires. Due to the amount of damage raccoons can inflict, it’s best to deal with the problem first, and once the raccoons are out, you can cope with any damaged insulation and repair any chewed wiring.

In the warmer weather (during the baby season), raccoons love sleeping on the ground under your deck, gazebo or shed. Special care must be given when there are babies involved. Most homeowners would agree that doing visual checks around your property every week or so is well-advised. Look for signs of digging, any gaps or entries they could squeeze through, or any signs of raccoon feces.

If you think you’re experiencing wildlife problems on your property, it’s recommended that you schedule a professional home inspection from a reputable raccoon removal service, one that guarantees customer satisfaction.

One that will set a one-way door, get them out and prevent further raccoon damage. Humane raccoon removal services in Mississauga are just a phone call away, and AAA Affordable Wildlife Control can go over the procedure, walk you through the steps required, and give you a written quote on-site.

With their expertise and humane removal methods, they can assess the situation and provide you with options to safely and permanently remove nuisance raccoons from your property. Taking action and raccoon-proofing your home sooner rather than later can save you from dealing with costly property damage down the line.

Why Prevention Screening is Recommended

Raccoon removal methods sometimes require more than just covering the hole they made – you need raccoon proofing. If you suspect that raccoons have made their way into your attic, getting them out is the first step, but keeping them out requires more effort. It’s essential to consider the benefits of prevention screening to stop raccoons from moving to a different spot on your roof and digging back in.

Common entry points for raccoons are generally through your roof vents, chimneys, or soffits. Once they’ve entered your attic, they can cause extensive damage by chewing wires, insulation and wooden beams. But removing the raccoons isn’t enough, as they will try to re-enter your home from another spot. Winter is coming, and all the animals are looking for a warm place.

That’s where prevention screening comes in. Installing wire mesh over the entry point using a one-way door to allow raccoons to exit but not re-enter and having other vulnerable areas meshed preventatively ensures your home remains raccoon-free.

It’s important to note that raccoons are determined creatures and may try to regain access to your home, although it will be futile with the prevention screening in place. That’s why it’s essential to work with a knowledgeable professional to ensure that your home remains safe and secure.

Raccoon removal services technicians from Affordable Wildlife Control will point out any other problem areas on the exterior of your house and offer you effective solutions, with customer satisfaction guaranteed.

Eviction During Baby Season

Due to the cold weather, winter is a major prime time for raccoons to bust into your roof for warmth. But they are also highly desperate for shelter when they are pregnant; they crave a safe, warm spot to give birth. On average, most raccoon babies are generally born in May, but they can come as early as March or as late as August.

When receiving humane raccoon removal services, special considerations must be made during baby season. If raccoons are on your roof during this time, an interior attic search will be performed to hand-remove any young that might be up there. They’re then placed in a baby box outside, where the mom will retrieve them.

What to Do if a Raccoon is in Your Garbage Can

Mother raccoons sometimes put their babies in a bin to hide them and keep them safe, almost like a playpen. If you discover a baby raccoon in your garbage cans or recycling bin, the mother is likely nearby and will return for it. To facilitate this, ensure the bin lid is propped open, and the bin is tilted to allow the mother easy access to grab her baby. But it’s not just baby raccoons that can be found inside. An adult raccoon can sometimes fall into an empty bin or garbage can and become stuck and unable to climb out. If you see or hear an enormous raccoon inside, slowly lower the bin sideways to the ground, leave the lid open and back away slowly, allowing the raccoon(s) to exit independently. If you are uncomfortable doing this, inexpensive humane wildlife removal services are available to you – that’s where AAA Affordable Wildlife Control comes in; we’ll come and get it out if you’re unable to.

Helping Raccoons Trapped in Dumpsters

Raccoons are some of the most resourceful creatures in wildlife, always finding ways to adapt to their surroundings. However, they also sometimes find themselves trapped in large commercial dumpsters, and that’s when they need our help.

Although they are excellent climbers, they can’t climb the side of a metal wall and will most likely die without intervention. But with the help of a “ladder,” like some pieces of wood put in, on an angle, we can provide them with a way to climb out of the dumpster.

Even draping an old blanket over the top can assist them in climbing out. It’s important to remember to use humane methods in the approach and avoid causing any harm to the animals. If deceased raccoons are found in the dumpster, removing them is also an important step. Several practical solutions exist for helping raccoons in such situations, and it’s up to everybody to take appropriate action whenever possible.

Securing Your Property Against Raccoon Habitation – DIY Tips

Raccoons often seek shelter in close proximity to human residences. While Animal Control Services in Ontario does not intervene in trapping and relocating healthy raccoons, homeowners can take several measures to deter raccoons from their property. Bright lights and loud sounds deter raccoons, so investing in motion-sensor lights or installing a motion-sensitive radio can be a great option. Don’t leave any pet food outside. If you have bird feeders, sweep up any fallen bird seed. Remember, it’s not always a whole raccoon invasion causing damage – even a single raccoon can threaten your property. With the proper preventive measures, you can keep these pesky animals at bay and enjoy a raccoon-free property. In short:

• Illuminate the den area with a bright light. One effective way to get them to steer clear is by illuminating the area with bright lights. These critters prefer the cover of darkness, so this tactic can often scare these wild animals off.
• Keep deck lights on throughout the night, same reason as above.
• Use loud music to deter raccoons from settling in; playing loud music intermittently can make Mississauga wildlife uncomfortable and might cause them to scurry away.
• Place rags soaked in either apple cider vinegar or ammonia near the den area. Sprinkle used kitty litter or scatter citrus peels around your deck or shed. These scents are particularly unappealing to the raccoon, and they may assist in deterring these nuisance animals.

These actions can encourage raccoons to move off and relocate when performed consistently over a few days and nights. Sometimes, raccoons are so determined to find shelter that these irritants won’t be enough. Contacting a reputable wildlife removal services company is highly recommended if these measures fail. It’s essential to take action to get them out and secure your home.

AAA Affordable Wildlife Control can identify any entry points and install a one-way door that will allow the raccoons to exit but will block them from getting back in. Furthermore, our expert advice can guide you in preventing any future infestations from them or any other wildlife through our prevention services, i.e. replacing any damaged vent covers, screening your roof vents, chimney, etc. and other screening options. Trusting in the pros can save you time, money, and the headache of dealing with raccoon damage.

Reporting Sick or Injured Raccoons

If you see a sick or injured raccoon, it’s essential to report it immediately. Raccoons can carry rabies, and they may be in a great deal of pain. Signs of rabies in raccoons include foaming at the mouth, disorientation and walking in circles. Symptoms such as disorientation, paralysis, mucous around the eyes or nose, and unusual behaviour, such as approaching humans, may indicate illness or injury. If you live in an urban area, contact your local animal control agency or wildlife removal services for assistance. They can determine if the raccoon should be humanely captured using live trapping methods or if euthanasia is necessary. Remember to keep a safe distance from raccoons, even if they appear kind and friendly. Though they may sometimes come into close contact with humans, raccoons thrive in the wild and should be left to their natural habitats whenever possible. Recognizing a raccoon in distress is vital for the safety of the community. In such cases, residents are urged to contact the city and ask for Animal Control Services immediately for assistance.

How Humane Wildlife Removal Services Can Help You Further

We’ve discussed how AAA Affordable Wildlife Control can help you with your raccoon removal issues. Did you know that wildlife control also encompasses many other pests? Yes, we can remove raccoons, but we also provide squirrel removal, bat removal, and even opossum removal services, if required, or possibly some other animal. Mississauga wildlife is everywhere. For expert removal services in Mississauga, call AAA Affordable Wildlife Control to go over your wildlife control options today.

FAQ

Q1: What are some identifying features of urban raccoons in Mississauga?

A1: Urban raccoons in Mississauga are easily recognizable mammals, typically weighing between 15-23 pounds. They are known for their distinctive black-ringed eyes and fluffy, striped tails, setting them apart from other creatures.

Q2: Why are urban raccoons often considered a nuisance, and what damage can they cause?

A2: Urban raccoons are often seen as nuisance wildlife due to their scavenging habits. They frequently raid trash cans, gardens, and can even break into attics, causing damage. These skilled climbers can create entry points on roofs, damage insulation, scratch wood, and chew on electrical wires.

Q3: What are the best practices to follow when encountering raccoons?

A3: When encountering raccoons, it’s important to maintain a safe distance as they can carry diseases like distemper and rabies. Avoid contact with raccoon feces, which can contain harmful parasites, and use face masks and gloves if disposing of it. If you see raccoon activity on your property, particularly on your roof, it’s advised to investigate and take action.

Q4: What are some effective methods for raccoon-proofing your property?

A4: To deter raccoons, use bright lights and loud sounds, and avoid leaving pet food outside. Secure potential entry points with prevention screening, like covering roof vents, chimneys, and soffits with wire mesh. Regularly inspect your property for signs of raccoons and consider contacting a professional wildlife removal service if necessary.

Q5: What should you do if you find a raccoon in your garbage can or trapped in a dumpster?

A5: If you find a raccoon in your garbage can, especially a baby, leave the lid propped open and tilt the can to allow the mother easy access. For raccoons trapped in dumpsters, provide a makeshift ladder or drape an old blanket over the top to assist them in climbing out. Contact a wildlife removal service if you’re uncomfortable handling the situation.

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