RACCOONS

Raccoons are a familiar sight just about everywhere you go. Because they will eat just about anything we see them rummaging for food in many locations. These bandit-masked ubiquitous mammals are found in forests, marshes, prairies, and even in cities. They are adaptable and use their dexterous front paws and long fingers to find and feast on a wide variety of food.

In the natural world, raccoons snare many of their meals in the water. Raccoons use their lightning-quick paws to grab crayfish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures. On land, they pluck mice and insects from their hiding places and raid nests for tasty eggs.

Raccoons also eat fruit and plants — including those grown in human gardens and farms. They will even open garbage cans to dine on the contents and seem to enjoy doing so.

These ring-tailed animals can inhabit a tree hole, fallen log, or a house’s attic, which can easily become a nuisance for obvious reasons. Females have one to seven cubs in early summer, then continue to feed and raise their young until they can thrive on their own.

Raccoons in the northern parts of the United States will gorge themselves in spring and summer to store up body fat. They then spend much of the winter asleep in a den. Southern raccoons can still be found later in the year, albeit less frequently than mating and birthing seasons.

To remove raccoons on your property or if you have further questions about wildlife services, contact Knox Pest Control.