Lake Forest Raccoon Removal Services(need to remove)

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Raccoons

Raccoons are medium sized animals similar to the size of a medium sized dog. With a body length of 15 to 30 inches and a weight range of 8-20 lbs raccoons vary in size depending on location and diet. Raccoons, sometimes referred to as masked bandits have just that. A black stripe cutting across both eyes bordered by white creating the look of a burglars mask. Raccoons have a hunched over appearance with their rear positioned higher. Raccoons are also able to stand on their back legs in an upright position just as bears stand. Further down the raccoons body is its trademark feature, it’s ringed tail. Mainly a nocturnal animal, raccoons can be observed in the night hours typically where it’s food is sought.

Raccoon Damage to Attics

Attic insulation damage from raccoons trampling is the main damage restoration to homes that homeowners insurance companies cover. Attic insulation is finely and lightly blown in as snow falls. Once smashed it’s R or resistance value is destroyed making it useless, causing a large rise in energy bills. Attic insulation damage is caused from raccoon fees and urine as raccoons pick toilet areas to urinate and defecate. Raccoon urine has a very distinctive foul odor that will ruin drywall and at the very least cause stains. Raccoon feces carries raccoon roundworm eggs, parasitic eggs that when ingested by inhalation or ingestion damage the central nervous system in people and animals. These sticky durable raccoon roundworm eggs can not be killed by anything but fire and can lie dormant for years until ingested. Raccoon roundworm eggs have even caused blindness in children. Unfortunately raccoon feces and urine is also attractive to other raccoons yet removal is not typically covered by homeowners insurance. So once raccoon removal is completed the next raccoon coming along the vacant den can and will try to enter with out the previous raccoon present to defend the territory. Raccoon feces & urine removal is always recommended along with odor removal.

Structural Damage from Raccoons

Structure damage from raccoons is very common. Raccoons chew and gnaw wooden beams and joices not only partially but all the way through. Many times structure damage from raccoons is so bad soffit areas and roofing can not be efficiently done due to nothing to anchor to. When raccoons have destroyed the structure of a home it is imperative that the structure be restored so no collapsing will happen.
When raccoons have found a weak or rotted roof, it only takes minutes for entry to happen. One the raccoon makes entry it is very unlikely it will leave any time soon. Raccoon roof damage can also happen to areas that are not damaged or rotted however it is not as likely. Raccoons tearing though roofs typically happens when birthing is about to occur in the spring months, it is not factual however an opinion that it is a last desperate measure to find a safe birthing place as the numbers of raccoons coming in through the roof are higher in spring.

Drywall Damage from Raccoons

Damages from raccoons to dry wall is typically the result of either raccoon urine and feces or moisture damage from the raccoon entry point allowing the elements to enter. Raccoon feces is usually accumulated in areas opposed to scattered through out the attic. Raccoon urine has a very strong smell, it will stain dry wall with dark coloration and also make it weak from the moisture. Other moisture damage from raccoons is due to the large entry points torn open that allow rain and other outside moisture to weaken drywall and cause mold growth. When moisture damage to dry wall happens from raccoon damages The dry wall must be removed and at times even the supporting 2×4′s must be removed if moisture damage or mold has become an issue. Raccoon damages from entry points are very detrimental to drywall and wood inside a home.

Raccoon Proofing & Exclusion

Raccoon proofing must be done with raccoon proof materials. Any one looking to place wood, sheet metal, flashing, wire mesh or chicken wire as your solution needs to read up a little more on raccoon proofing. As a rule of thumb if you can buy the material at a Home Depot type store it probably will not keep a raccoon out unless your talking about a chimney cap. Our raccoon proofing whether being placed for deck and stoop proofing or a soffit on a roof is always done with STEEL and only steel. If not, with residual smell left behind it is only a matter of time before the area will be torn open again.
Raccoon exclusion for some may seem impossible, after all raccoons can jump, climb, swim, run and chew with a jaw pressure that pushes more pounds per square inch then a pitbull. Raccoons power their way through aluminum soffits, rip their way though roofs shredding shingles and plywood, dig under decks, climb right up down spouts with ease and will even make a 3 foot leap from a tree limb. With that said keeping raccoons off of a roof is pretty tough for a determined raccoon and the only realistic approach is raccoon exclusion. The next step would be raccoon exclusion, which is keeping them out when they want to get in. This is usually done for soffits, attic vents and attic fans. These are the most vulnerable areas on a home for raccoon intrusion. Raccoons will also go for the roof line of a home which can also have raccoon exclusion placed if this is a concern. Raccoons typically chew though roofs in early spring months when birthing occurs however they will also rip a hole into a roof anytime of the year.

Raccoon Breeding

Raccoon mothers give birth to 3-6 raccoon babies in the spring after winter breeding. Raccoon mothers seem to tear holes into roofs more when it’s time to have babies then any other time. The father raccoon is nowhere to be found when the mother raccoon gives birth as male raccoons will kill the babies. In fact when raccoons are in confined spaces, the smell of a male will make her move her babies and find a new den site in fear of the male raccoon killing her babies. Female raccoons will defend her babies however ironically will kill their own young when confined with them in a raccoon trap. Many people speculate the reasons behind. Raccoon baby removal is typically done to remove babies from behind drywall, out of chimneys, removal from soffits and baby raccoon removal from attics.

Raccoon Babies Walking Age

Raccoon babies begin to walk around 4 weeks and follow the mother learning how to climb and find food. The raccoon babies will stick together throughout the winter to share body heat and then will disburse the following spring to start families of their own.

What Do Raccoon Eat

Raccoons are skilled to catch fish, to steal eggs from bird nests, and to pick fruit from different areas. They are experienced in raiding the gardens of fruits and vegetables, catching different insects but they prefer to eat the prey which is easier to catch. Berries, tree nuts and acorns are the best things they eat.