Description: Raccoons are very distinguishable with their black mask that is rimmed on top and bottom with white. The raccoon’s tail has four to six black or dark brown rings. Raccoon's coloring is normally gray or black with pale gray coloring underneath. Although not common they can also be red or blonde in color.  Adult raccoons can weigh from 11lbs to almost 60lbs. Raccoons have extremely dexterous front paws, allowing them to open and destroy objects and building structures in order to find habitat and food. 

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Habitat and Behaviors: Raccoons are found in all parts of Ohio. The raccoon population has been growing for many years. Raccoons tend to live in wooded areas but because of their increased populations and need for food and shelter they have moved into towns and cities. Raccoons can live almost any place where there is food and shelter. Usually nocturnal, raccoons are sometimes active in daylight to take advantage of available food sources. They are omnivores allowing them to eat just about anything. 

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Reproduction: In Ohio raccoons usually mate from February through March. Male raccoons mate with several females during the breeding season. Females usually produce only one litter each year, but there can be more. Litter sizes can range from 3 to 7 but on average the litter consists of 4 babies. Gestation lasts 63-65 days. 

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Nuisance Concerns: Raccoons are well known for their intelligence. They are able to remember solutions to finding both food and shelter for at least three years, making it very difficult and dangerous to remove them.  Raccoons will and can find any entrance to your house causing damage to get in and if suitable, making shelter. Chimneys, attics, open soffits, or vents, are often popular choices for raccoons to enter. You do not want a raccoon as a housemate! It is very important to remove them quickly as they can cause extensive damage. 

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Dangers: Raccoons can carry many parasites and diseases that can infest people or pets making them a serious biohazard. Raccoons can carry bacterial diseases such as leptospirosis (a blood infection that can cause fevers, headaches, muscle pains, bleeding in the lungs or even meningitis), tetanus (also known as lock jaw is a bacterial infection that can cause muscle spasms, sweating, increased heart rate, and even death), listeriosis (a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis, sepsis, and even death), and tularemia (Also know as rabbit fever, is an infectious disease causing fever, skin ulcers and sometimes pneumonia. Raccoons can also carry canine distemper (a common and fatal disease to domestic dogs) and rabies (a viral disease that causes inflammation to the brain in mammals including humans that can be deadly). 

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How can we help?: Raccoons can be aggressive and very dangerous. Being very intelligent mammals, raccoon control and maintenance can be very challenging and often requires special knowledge and methods. Experience and knowledge are very important when catching raccoons as each trapping situation usually requires custom elements and tailoring depending on the specific situation. Our certified and knowledgeable technicians will come and provide you with a thorough evaluation. Based on your specific situation our technicians will trap, capture, and remove the raccoon or raccoons. We offer biological cleanup and full sanitation of the infected area from the raccoon's urine and feces left at shared raccoon latrines (common defecating area). We can provide complete repairs on the destructed areas including roof repair, full attic repairs and restoration including re-insulation, fan or vent repairs, and chimney repairs. The longer raccoons have lived in your home the worse the mess and destruction are, leaving behind odors and pheromones that attract new animals. Call us today and we can help take care of your raccoon problem!

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