5 Things Animal Control Does With Raccoons
Raccoons are one of the most common wildlife species that interact with humans, often getting into conflicts with people over food, property, and health concerns. Animal control services play a crucial role in managing these conflicts and ensuring public safety. Here are five things animal control does with raccoons:
Dealing with Raccoon Infestations
Animal control services are often called to deal with raccoon infestations in homes, attics, and chimneys. Raccoons are skilled at finding entry points into buildings, and once inside, they can cause significant damage to insulation, ductwork, and other structural elements. Animal control technicians will humanely remove the raccoons, inspect the property for damage, and recommend repairs to prevent future infestations.
Relocating Raccoons
In some cases, animal control services may relocate raccoons that have been removed from a property. This involves transporting the raccoons to a remote area, often at least 10 miles away from the original location, to prevent re-infestation. The goal of relocation is to give the raccoons a fresh start in a new environment while also protecting the public from potential health risks.
Providing Education and Outreach
Animal control services often provide education and outreach to the public on how to prevent raccoon conflicts. This includes teaching people how to secure their property, store food and trash properly, and avoid feeding raccoons. By educating the public on raccoon behavior and ecology, animal control services can help prevent conflicts and reduce the need for removals.
Managing Raccoon Health Risks
Raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies, distemper, and leptospirosis, which can be transmitted to humans and pets. Animal control services work to manage these health risks by removing infected raccoons, providing public health warnings, and recommending vaccinations for pets.
Conducting Raccoon Removals
In some cases, animal control services may need to remove raccoons that are causing problems, such as raiding garbage cans or pet food. This involves humanely trapping the raccoons using specialized equipment and relocating them to a remote area. In some cases, removals may be necessary to protect public safety, such as when raccoons are aggressive or threatening.
Why Animal Control is Important
Animal control services play a critical role in managing raccoon conflicts and protecting public safety. By providing education, outreach, and removal services, animal control technicians can help prevent conflicts, reduce health risks, and protect property. If you have a raccoon problem, it's essential to contact a professional animal control service to ensure the issue is handled safely and humanely.
Gallery of Raccoon Removal
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I have a raccoon in my attic?
+If you have a raccoon in your attic, it's essential to contact a professional animal control service. They will humanely remove the raccoon and inspect your property for damage.
Can I feed raccoons?
+No, it's not recommended to feed raccoons. Feeding raccoons can make them dependent on humans and increase the risk of conflicts.
How can I prevent raccoons from getting into my garbage cans?
+To prevent raccoons from getting into your garbage cans, make sure to secure them with tight-fitting lids and store them in a secure location.
By understanding the role of animal control services in managing raccoon conflicts, we can better appreciate the importance of professional wildlife management. If you have a raccoon problem, don't hesitate to contact a professional animal control service to ensure the issue is handled safely and humanely.