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RACCOONS
IDENTIFICATION: A raccoon is a
stocky mammal weighing about 8 to 30 lbs. and about 2 to 3 feet in length. Illinois male raccoons average 19 lbs. in
the northern part of the state and 14 lbs. in southeastern areas. Rarely will
they grow to be any larger than 27 pounds in Midwestern states. Raccoons are
easily identifiable with their prominent black mask over the eyes, a heavily
furred ringed tail, and tracks that look like small human hands. Populations of
9 to 45 raccoons per square mile are common in Illinois. BEHAVIOR: Raccoons are nocturnal and omnivorous (eating both plant and animal foods). They will eat almost any food they come in contact with including seed from bird feeders, vegetables from gardens, fruit growing on trees, grubs or worms in lawns, or food accessible in garbage cans. Adult males cover an area of about 1 mile in diameter with adult females and their young occupying about ¾ of a mile. Raccoons do not hibernate during the winter months although they do become less active during extremely cold weather. Their typical life span is about 3 to 4 years of age. DAMAGE CONCERNS: “Suburban” raccoons are quite accustomed and adept at living with human beings. Attics, garages, chimneys, holes or openings under decks or sheds are all suitable living areas for raccoons. We highly urge a complete home inspection for recommendations to prevent unwanted animals from taking up residence in your home or business. Please see PREVENTION for animal exclusion tips. Any damage to your home caused by a raccoon is covered under almost all homeowners’ insurance policies. Such damage could include holes in the roof, attic fan replacement, insulation removal and replacement, chimney cap installation, electrical repairs, or disinfecting and deodorizing an attic or infected area. T&C Trapping, Inc. has worked with many insurance companies and can do all the repairs necessary to restore your home. REPRODUCTION: Raccoons will typically breed mainly in February but breeding can occur from January to March. Change in typical weather patterns can and does cause exceptions. Warm weather spells during winter can cause animals to mate earlier than is common. Male and female raccoons do not pair up. After mating the pair of raccoons split up going their own ways. The gestation period is 63 days with most litters being born in April and May. Although some late breeding females may not give birth until June, July, or August. The average litter size is 3 to 5 with the female being able to breed after the first year. Pups are weaned between 2 and 4 months and start accompanying the mother, leaving the den area, to hunt for food between 30-60 days of age. Most families begin to split up shortly before cold winter months but some yearling raccoons will den up with their mother until the following spring. DISEASES: Raccoons carry a number of diseases that can be harmful or transmitted to people, pets, or other animals. Raccoons are the #1 carrier of RABIES accounting for more than 40% of reported cases. Transmission of rabies begins when the infected saliva of a raccoon is passed to an uninfected person or animal. The most common mode of rabies transmission is through bites or scratches that contain saliva that is infected. Rabies infection in humans can cause death. As a cat would use a liter box, a raccoon will continually leave their droppings in the same area also. These areas with raccoon feces may be infested with the eggs of RACCOON ROUNDWORM. Keep away from any areas suspected of having raccoon droppings. If a raccoon has moved into your attic do not enter the attic without proper breathing equipment as this virus can become air-borne. About 30% of adults and 70% of young raccoons are infected with the raccoon roundworm parasite. Human infection can cause blindness or death. LEPTOSPIROSIS is a bacterial disease that can infect all mammals, including humans. Nearly 50% of raccoons in Illinois are exposed to this disease. Humans become infected with this disease by coming in contact with infected animal urine through water, soil, or food. Swimming in water infected with this bacterium can cause infection through skin contact, especially through eyes, nose, or broken skin. Touching infected areas such as soil or food can also cause an infection. Death, jaundice, and kidney or liver failure can occur with human infection although flu-like symptoms are most common. DISTEMPER can be carried and spread to other animals (especially dogs) by raccoons. Distemper does not affect humans. About 20-30% of raccoons become exposed to this disease during their lifetimes. The disease is spread when uninfected animals come in contact with urine of an infected animal. Dogs can be vaccinated to prevent this infection.
Please remember that all wildlife in the State of Illinois is owned by the state unless the animal migrates. If a wild animal migrates it is owned by the federal government. A license is required to trap or remove wildlife. If not using a licensed professional, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources should be contacted before personally attempting to deal with any wildlife. T&C Trapping, Inc. offers complete home and business inspections that are guaranteed to help minimize any future animal problems or to help solve any existing wildlife conflicts. We have 16 years experience in installing animal prevention devices, trapping nuisance wildlife, and repairing homes due to animal damage. Please feel free to call us anytime for advice, instruction, or estimates. 815-467-4039
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