Tag Archives: Indianapolis

What Do Raccoons Eat?

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The type of food a raccoon eats is largely determined by its home and location. City raccoons will have a different diet than raccoons in the wilderness. Once we take these facts into consideration, we can begin discussing the different, and sometimes surprising, food preferences of a typical raccoon and where they go to get these meals. Continue reading to learn a few facts about raccoon diets, food preferences, and more.

City Raccoons

Raccoons in the city and urban areas have adapted well. They have dexterous paws and fingers that allow them to easily manipulate things and acclimate to changing environments. These raccoons can quickly gain access to garage doors, sheds, unlocked doors, latches, and more. They are relatively intelligent and acute mammals, so overcoming obstacles, such as closed doors, comes easier to them.

City raccoons, as mentioned before, can adapt well to changing weather and environments. This means they are accustomed to eating scraps found in dumpsters and trash cans all over the city and rural neighborhoods. If they find access inside a home, they will go directly for any food readily available; such as cereal boxes, sugar, cookies, anything in the refrigerator they can grab, pet food, garbage, and more. Although this isn’t a normal diet for a wild raccoon, or any animal for that matter, it has become the most reliable food source in these areas.

Wild Raccoons

Wild raccoons have a simpler palate. They generally dine on fish, small invertebrates, fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and many other foods found in nature. If living nearby water, raccoons will almost always use this as their main source of food. Anything they can grab from the water is a treat; such as salmon, carp, bluegill, frogs, crabs, crayfish, mollusks, worms, and even snakes.

Wild raccoons also use their nimble paws and fingers to steal eggs from bird nests and other hatchling grounds. They can pick their own fruit and vegetables, skim through chicken houses and raid farm crops. Raccoons are also known to catch and eat rodents, squirrels, and birds; they will even eat road-kill! They also enjoy a diet of berries, acorns, mushrooms, and plant life.

For more information about raccoons in Indiana, call Indianapolis Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 today. We are licensed raccoon control specialists with more than two decades of service and experience in the raccoon removal and control industry. We are advocates for safe and humane trapping methods and never kill raccoons. Visit our website at http://www.raccoonremovalindianapolis.com for details about our animal control services, prices, and company credentials. Get quick and affordable raccoon removal in Indianapolis, IN by calling 317-535-4605 for a free estimate today!

Can Raccoons in the Attic Bring Fleas in Your House?

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Raccoons are very clever when it comes to finding entry points into our homes and commercial properties. They seek out shelters during harsh and extreme weather conditions; either to find solace from the hot sun, or warmth during breeding or winter seasons. When raccoons demonstrate this type of behavior, it is often a burden on the property owners. Financially, raccoon damages can be costly, and the mess they can create can be devastating. One of the most common threats associated with an indoor raccoon infestation, is the possibility of a flea, tick, or bug outbreak. Continue reading to learn about raccoon and flea problems, and what to do if ever faced with a similar situation.

Raccoon and Fleas

Many people wonder whether or not a raccoon can carry fleas. The answer is yes; they can carry and pass along fleas. When it comes to fleas, most species are similar and look the same as a dog or cat flea. A flea can live and thrive on any animal that has fur and warm blood. This means a raccoon would be no different than a dog, to a flea. If you come into contact with fleas, you will most likely suffer tiny itchy bumps from flea bites. A simple dose of antihistamine or cortisone will reduce swelling and irritation.

Fleas, however, are not the only pest that can be passed along from raccoons living in your attic. Other nuisance insects can be passed along and spread through your property just the same as fleas. Insects such as lice, ticks, mites, and even roundworm can cause infection and irritation in humans and pets.

Lice and ticks are very well-known, as are the symptoms they cause. Lice and ticks are mobile and can transfer from one host to another. They are tedious to get rid of and very unpleasant to endure. Roundworm, on the other hand, is inhaled and infects internally. Roundworm eggs grow in raccoon feces. These eggs are very light and can float in the air, giving anyone the opportunity to unknowingly inhale these worms and fall ill soon after. Roundworm should be treated with immediate professional medical care.

Get Rid of Raccoons in the Attic Before an Infestation Occurs

If you suspect you may have a raccoon invasion issue within your home or property, be sure to act fast! The longer a raccoon colony resides in your attic, or other area of your house, the more damages are likely to accumulate. These structural repairs can be very costly, and not always covered by your homeowners’ insurance policy. Contact a professional wildlife control company that uses safe and humane methods to remove raccoons and other nuisance wildlife from your property, effectively.

Look to your local directories for professional wildlife control services, or just call Indiana Raccoon Removal today! You can reach a live attendant, day or night, at 317-535-4605 for any raccoon control inquires or needs. We are DNR licensed and retain extensive experience in the raccoon removal industry. We use safe and humane methods to remove raccoons from residential and commercial properties in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Visit our website at http://www.raccoonremovalindianapolis.com/raccoon-in-attic-indianapolis.php for details about our services. We are happy to answer any questions you have about raccoons and fleas, or general raccoon removal service in Indianapolis, IN.

Do-It-Yourself Raccoon Removal and Prevention Tips

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If you are a homeowner that lives near wooded and forested areas, then you might need to look into animal-proofing your home. Wild animal intrusion is very common in areas such as these, as well as, residential and commercial neighborhoods. Wild animals can cause a great deal of harm to our homes, inside and outside. Raccoons can find ways to enter the home in cold seasons, and find places outside your home to dwell and feed in spring and summer. Raccoon clean up and restoration services can be costly and time consuming. It is in your best interest to protect your home before any animal damages occur. Read on to learn ways to prevent and deter raccoon colonies from entering your home and property.

Eliminate Outdoor Pet Food

Whether the pet food is in the garage, sun room, or outside on the patio in pet bowls, it is a huge no-no for homeowners with raccoon problems. Raccoons love the taste of dog and cat food. It is a satisfying and simple meal for them. As clever critters, they will remember that your home is a food source, and continue to come back night after night. Remove any outdoor pet food and containers to avoid attracting raccoons to your yard.

Garbage Cans

Raccoons are known to rummage through dumpsters and garbage cans. They look for nesting bits and pieces of food to eat. Because newly developed neighborhoods force raccoons out of their natural habitat, it is common to see them in residential subdivisions looking for an easy meal. In the morning, homeowners awake to a huge mess at the end of the driveway and street. To avoid this unpleasant experience, get in the habit of taking your trash cans out on the morning of trash day. Although it can be inconvenient at first, the extra initiative can help prevent a costly raccoon infestation problem. It is never a good idea to attract raccoons to your home in any way.

If you are experiencing an issue with raccoons in Indianapolis, Indiana, call a professional for raccoon removal. We are DNR licensed and insured raccoon removal specialists with over twenty years of experience in the wild animal removal industry. We use safe and humane methods to get rid of raccoons in residential and commercial properties. We perform interior and exterior services, from raccoon prevention to interior restoration services. Visit our website at http://raccoonremovalindianapolis.com or call us at 317-535-4605 for proper raccoon removal in Indianapolis, IN.

Risks Associated With Pet Raccoons

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Raccoons are wild animals, and thus, should remain in the wild.  It is common for people to stumble across a baby raccoon and feel the urge to adopt and care for the critter, but the truth is, they would be doing more harm than good with that idea.

Raccoons Need to Roam

Having a pet raccoon is a lifestyle, and not anything like owning a dog or cat.  In the wild, raccoons are accustomed to roaming free, and tend to prefer solidarity.  Even if a raccoon is domesticated at birth, this trait is instilled in them from thousands of years ago; it is a natural instinct to not want to be caged.  The problem with a roaming raccoon is that they are very clever and curious, and what starts out as cute, ends up a big inconvenience.  Raccoons will climb and get into trash cans, potted plants, cabinets, baby cribs, drawers, closets, and more.  They will constantly knock over everything in sight and hide items they find, like car keys and wallets.  Having a pet raccoon is a huge commitment.  A person has to basically dedicate an entire room in their home to accommodate the needs of one little raccoon.  If this is not provided, the raccoon will use the home as its own, digging holes into bed mattresses, couches, recliners, and sofas to nest in.

Health Concerns

Raccoons are known to be carriers of many viral diseases like rabies, canine hepatitis, distemper, and more.  These illnesses can easily be contracted and passed on to family and pets.   Other unpleasant infections include roundworm, scabies, lice, and ticks.

The Law

The law in most states prohibits people from owning and domesticating raccoons and other wild animals.  This ordinance is in place to protect humans and animals, alike.  Consequences of being caught owning a raccoon without a permit can result in large fines and stripping of animal ownership rights.  Raccoons bite, and this is a serious concern for local governments and communities.  This is why we have laws on domesticating wild animals.

If you find an injured or stray raccoon, or if you have raccoons that visit your property often, contact our professional raccoon removal specialists.  We promote safe and humane strategies to capture, release, and relocate raccoons in Indiana.  We can take care of the raccoons the professional way, and allow them to have a happy life in their own habitat, not in someone’s garage.  Visit our Indianapolis Raccoon Control website, or call us today at 317-535-4605.