Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are found across the United States largely due to their excellent ability to adapt and take advantage of new habitats. Raccoons, are abundant throughout Nassau County, Long Island and are among the most widespread mammals in New York State. Raccoon populations are more dense in large cities than in the wild. Long Island raccoon populations, may exceed 100 per square mile. The overpopulation of raccoons on Long Island is due to a lack of raccoon predators, which normally would include coyotes, bobcats and cougars. Eagles and large owls will prey on raccoon pups. They are most commonly found in wooded areas along rivers, marshes or lakes. In urban areas, raccoons will make dens in attics, chimneys, under decks, in sheds and in abandoned buildings. Raccoons, like most animals, are opportunistic and seek a lifestyle that has the greatest reward for the least effort. So, raccoons will make their home in your attic, crawl space, garage, shed, chimney, under a deck, or porch of your Long Island home. If you suspect that raccoons have taken up residence in your home, you need to contact a humane Long Island raccoon removal wildlife animal trapper immediately.
RACCOON PROBLEMS & RACCOON DISEASES
Every town and city in New York State has raccoons living within city limits. Because raccoons are active by night (nocturnal), they are seldom seen. Of all the wild animals that have adapted to city life, raccoons are probably the most destructive. Raccoons cause problems when they lose their fear of humans and move into urban areas to live. Problems include feeding in garbage cans, establishing dens in chimneys, tearing off shingles or making holes in roofs and fascia boards to enter an attic or wall space, or causing damage to gardens, lawns and fruit trees. Raccoons also may carry fleas, ticks, lice, distemper, mange, rabies, and canine and feline parovirus. Rabies is a disease caused by a virus and it is almost always fatal. If you see a raccoon out during the day, this does not automatically mean that the raccoon is rabid. A mother raccoon, who has raccoon pups can often be seen out during the day in search of food. A rabid raccoon usually has difficulty walking, looks confused, disoriented and is slow moving. A rabid raccoon infected with the rabies virus looks sick and foams at the mouth. Leptospirosis is a disease caused by Leptospira bacteria that are carried in the urine of raccoons. People and animals can get infected when water contaminated with urine of infected animals gets on their skin, or in the nose, mouth, throat, or eyes, or is swallowed. Dogs are especially at risk and may die from Leptospirosis. Raccoon feces may also contain the roundworm egg (Baylisacaris procyonis). Humans, especially children, that come into contact with raccoon poop containing eggs of this roundworm can also become infected. Clinical symptoms depend on the number of roundworm larvae present in the body and their location. If the larvae migrate to the eyes or brain, blindness or death can be the end result. Raccoon poop resembles dog feces, except the raccoon poop will have berry seeds in it. Raccoons can also threaten the health of other mammals. They can carry Aleutians disease which is a virus that affects other fur-bearing animals.
RACCOON REMOVAL - LONG ISLAND, NY - RACCOON REPELLENTS
The Berryman Institute is a national organization based in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University. It is named after Jack H. Berryman to honor his distinguished career in wildlife management. The Berryman Institute is dedicated to improving human-wildlife relationships and resolving human-wildlife conflicts through teaching, research and extension. According to a study conducted by the Berryman Institute, 42% of urban households attempted to solve their own nuisance wildlife problems and less than 25% of those people were successful in doing so. Therefore, you should contact a licensed New York State Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator to remove raccoons from your Long Island home. Raccoon repellents are not effective in getting a raccoon out of an attic. Mothballs, ammonia, bleach, coyote urine, loud radios and ultrasonic high-pitch sound emitting devices are ineffective when used for raccoon removal from an attic. The manufactures of ultrasonic devices make claims that their products will repel wildlife and household pests, such as rodents and insects. The claims made by the manufactures of these ultrasonic devices has been disputed by testing labs and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). FTC Warns Manufacturers and Retailers of Ultrasonic Pest-control Devices. When it comes to raccoon removal and wildlife control, there is no quick fix magic spray or repellent that will solve your nuisance wildlife control problem. Therefore, it is imperative that you hire a licensed wildlife trapper from DQ Pest Control, who has the necessary skills, equipment and experience in removing raccoons from an attic or chimney of Long Island residences. DQ Pest control is engaged in humane Long Island raccoon removal on a daily basis. Raccoon trapping is an effective wildlife control method, when attempting to get rid of raccoons and is the method used by humane wildlife control trappers at DQ Pest Control Wildlife Removal Services. There are numerous types of raccoon traps and raccoon baits that can be used for the removal of raccoons in Long Island. Knowing what type of humane raccoon trap to use and what raccoon bait to use is largely dependent upon what time of the year it is. The raccoon removal trapping techniques that our Long Island raccoon removal experts use, is also dependent upon the situation and where the raccoons are entering your Long Island residence, or business. Our wildlife animal trappers do raccoon removal in Long Island attics, chimneys, crawl spaces, sheds, garages under porches and decks. Raccoon removal cost is contingent upon what would be entailed in getting rid of the raccoon or raccoons. Long Island wildlife raccoon trappers from DQ Pest Control, know what raccoon trap and raccoon bait to use in every situation.
RACCOONS IN THE ATTIC - RACCOONS IN THE CHIMNEY
If you are hearing noises in your attic, noises in your chimney at night, or scratching sounds, there is a good chance that your Nassau County, Long Island home has become inhabited by raccoons. If a raccoon is entering the attic through the attic fan, you will usually hear a loud thud upon its entry. A raccoon moving around in the attic is often described as sounding like a piece of furniture being dragged across the attic floor. When there are raccoon pups in the attic, it often sounds like marbles rolling across the attic floor. Raccoon sounds consist of more than two hundred vocalization sounds that raccoons use to communicate with each other. You may hear growling sounds coming from adult raccoons in the attic. Fighting raccoons sound similar to fighting cats. Bird-like chirping sounds are indicative of the presence of baby raccoons in the attic. Scientists have discovered that raccoons are very intelligent animals. Raccoons rank above cats and just below monkeys on the mammal IQ scale. As intelligent problem-solvers with great dexterity and determination, raccoons often find their way into the attics and chimneys of Long Island homes. This is where a female raccoon, also known as a sow will den and give birth to her raccoon pups. Male raccoons, also known as boars do not take part in raising the pups. If there is a raccoon in the attic, 90% of the time it is a female raccoon and she has raccoon pups. An average raccoon litter of 3 to 5 young are born usually in April or May. The mother raccoon is very protective of her young and will attack anyone who goes near her raccoon pups. This is just another reason why you should hire Long Island raccoon removal experts from DQ Pest control to solve your nuisance wildlife control problem. In your attic, the raccoons will defecate and urinate on the insulation and often damage the ductwork of the central air system, which is one more reason to hire a Long Island raccoon removal professional, who will promptly get the raccoons out of your attic. The mother raccoon becomes very trap shy and usually will not go near a food baited trap. So, getting raccoons out of an attic can be a very challenging and dangerous job. Not only will we remove raccoons from a chimney or an attic, but we will also determine how the raccoons got into the attic of your Long Island home. We install chimney caps to prevent your chimney from becoming re-inhabited by raccoons, squirrels, birds, bats and other wildlife. We also refer you to a licensed contractor for any needed repairs to be done to the roof, or soffits of your Long Island home. Maintaining your Long Island home and keeping it in good repair, will prevent it from becoming inhabited by raccoons and other wildlife.
Raccoons - Safety Tips - The Do's and Don'ts of Wildlife Management
If a raccoon approaches you, do not attempt to feed this wild animal. Walk away from the raccoon.
A Long Island raccoon that is very aggressive or too tame, or seems to be disoriented or staggers may be rabid. Do not approach the animal yourself, instead contact a nuisance wildlife control operator to have the raccoon safely removed from your premises.
In areas of Long Island where raccoons are regularly seen, children should be warned against approaching them and feeding them. Never feed wildlife.
If you see a raccoon in the living space of your Long Island home, stay calm, close surrounding interior doors, leave the room, and contact a Long Island animal control expert to remove the raccoon. You should never corner a raccoon, or attempt to chase it out of your home. Chances are the raccoon is living in the attic of your Long Island residence and if chased outside, it will find its way back into your attic. Raccoons usually make their home in attics to give birth to raccoon pups.
Should you determine how the raccoon is entering your home, don't close up the entrance. This is by far the most common mistake Long Island homeowners make and it is the worst mistake that you can make. Chances are, you will end up sealing raccoons into your home. Even if you are able to close up the opening while the raccoon is out, if it is a mother raccoon with pups, she will literally destroy your Long Island home trying to get to her raccoon pups.
Don't attempt to care for orphaned raccoon pups. Instead, contact a licensed New York State Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, who will take the baby raccoons to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
How To Prevent Conflicts Between People & Raccoons
DON'T FEED THE ANIMALS! - When people feed raccoons, the animals lose their fear of people and will approach them seeking food. If they are then not fed, they may become aggressive, even biting or scratching. Feeding the raccoons can potentially bring more raccoons into an area than would otherwise be there, causing a spread of parasites and disease.
GARBAGE CANS & RACCOONS - Raccoons are very intelligent and clever. The dexterous wild animal will find ways to get to garbage for food even when you think you've secured the trash can lid. If your garbage can does not have a locking lid, secure it with rope, chain, bungee cords, or weights. It is also advised to secure the trash can to prevent raccoons from tipping it over. Ideally, you should keep your garbage cans in an outdoor storage shed. Don't store garbage cans in a garage that is attached to your home. Storing trash cans in an attached garage could result in a rodent control problem with mice or rats. On garbage pick-up day, wait until morning to put the cans out, as raccoons are nocturnal, so they are most active at night.
Don't Leave Pet Food Outdoors. It is best to feed domestic animals indoors. If you feed feral cats, it is best to feed them in late morning/early afternoon, then always pick up food, water bowls, leftovers, and spilled food each day before dusk. If you leave food out overnight, this will attract raccoons and very often lead to a conflict between the raccoons and the cats that you are feeding.
Keep Domestic Pets Indoors. Whenever possible, keep pets indoors at night. If this is not possible, ensure that they are in a secure area that raccoons cannot penetrate. Raccoons will attack dogs or cats if they feel threatened by them. A bite from a raccoon could infect your pet with rabies.
Keep Pet Doors Secure From Raccoons - To prevent a raccoon from entering your Long Island home through a pet door, never place the pet's food or water near the inside of the door. Pet doors should always be locked at night. If this is not possible, there are options for electronic doors that are activated by a collar that is worn by your cat or dog.
Keep Compost Secure. If composting, do not create a compost pile, rather, it should be put in a secure, raccoon-proof compost container or kept in a closed structure. This not only keeps the raccoons from feeding, it also keeps the compost free of raccoon feces.
Eliminate Access To Harborage. Raccoons and other wildlife will climb into chimneys and enter attics, crawl spaces, and areas beneath homes, decks, porches, and sheds. Therefore, it is very important to have a chimney cap and to eliminate access points to wildlife. However, you don't want to close anything up if you think that there is any chance that animals could be living there. It is strongly recommended that you have a wildlife inspection done by a nuisance wildlife control operator prior to closing up these areas.
Keep Raccoons Out Of The House. To keep raccoons and other wildlife from getting onto the roof of your Long Island home, keep all tree branches and bushes trimmed away from your house. Raccoons and other wildlife, such as squirrels, opossums, rats and mice can also climb decorative ivies, so these should be removed from the home exterior.
Long Island News - Rabid Raccoon found in Hicksville, Long Island
Following the finding of a rabid raccoon in Nassau County, Long Island, the Nassau County Board of Health has advised the public to be on the lookout for rabid raccoons. The Nassau County Department of Health announced that an animal collected on Long Island by a wildlife control operator and submitted to the New York State Board of Health for analysis, tested positive for the rabies virus. The Nassau County Health Commissioner ordered an increase in the countywide rabies-watch program. Nassau County residents have been asked to report sick raccoons and dead raccoons to raccoon removal Long Island exterminators. People and domestic animals should have no contact with sick, or dead raccoons. Rabid and dead raccoons should be removed by licensed New York State Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators. The rabies virus, which is deadly, is transmitted through a bite from a rabid raccoon. The virus, which affects the central nervous system can also be transmitted from the saliva of a rabid animal through open cuts or skin lesions. Nassau County residents have been asked to report raccoons that come into contact with people or pets to the Nassau County Department of Health. Nassau County officials have also asked that no one, including raccoon removal Long Island wildlife trappers and nuisance wildlife rehabilitators, transport or relocate any wild animals, to help prevent the possible spread of the rabies virus.
FREE RACCOON REMOVAL - LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK
Unfortunately, there are NO FREE WILDLIFE REMOVAL SERVICES ON LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. There are no New York State, or Nassau County Government agencies that remove nuisance wildlife such as, raccoons, squirrels, bats, groundhogs, birds, opossums, rodents and dead animals from private property. Therefore, if there is nuisance wildlife on your property, it is the responsibility of the property owner to arrange for the wildlife trapping and removal of these animals.
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