Should I Be Afraid of Wild Raccoons on My Property?

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Often time, raccoons wander into the local and residential communities in search of food and shelter. As residential and commercial construction expands, the natural homes for these wild animals are depleting. This plus the fact that they multiply rapidly, ensures that wild raccoons will be spotted in the backyards, porches, roofs, driveways, and decks of our beloved homes. There are several options to consider if you have repeat raccoon visitors each night. Whether or not you should be afraid of them depends on the situation.

Continue reading to learn about wild raccoons and the potential threat they pose to our health, homes, and property.

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Raccoons Can Carry Diseases

The first thing to be aware of when it comes to a possible raccoon encounter, is that they are common c carriers of diseases like rabies, Leptospirosis, roundworm, and more. Coming into contact with a wild raccoon puts you and your family at risk for contracting a raccoon illness or disease. his is especially so if a raccoon bites or claws a person. Once a raccoon’s saliva, feces, urine, or other bodily excretion comes into contact with a person’s bloodstream, they are immediately exposed to the contagion.

When it comes to disease, you should be scared of touching or being attacked by a wild raccoon. Domesticated raccoons or pet raccoons have been vaccinated and raised in custody and probably won’t pass along any diseases; however, they can still bite and claw if they feel threatened. The bottom line is to not mess with a wild raccoon, and keep your distance if you ever see one nearby.

Raccoons Can Attack People

Wild animals are subjected to primal behaviors when it comes to protecting their territory and especially their young. If a person or pet provokes or antagonizes a wild raccoon, they will attack to protect themselves. They have sharp teeth and long claws that can rip through skin in seconds. Not only are raccoon bites and injuries extremely painful, but they can also pass along diseases and infections as well. It is always best to avoid an encounter with a wild raccoon. If you see one, never feed it or offer it food, and never try to touch it.

Raccoons Can Cause a Lot of Damage

Wild raccoons are capable of causing an extensive amount of damage and mess to a home or property. They are known to take shelter in residential and commercial areas, commonly invading attics, crawl spaces, roofs, vents, ducts, garages, sheds, porches, and more. They use these areas to protect themselves and their young from harsh weather and cold temperatures; as well as, for breeding grounds and feeding.

Once raccoons are occupying a particular area of a residential or commercial property, they immediately begin their destructive tendencies. For instance, raccoons can chew through wood beams and electrical wiring, rip down attic insulation, and saturate dry wall, sheet rock, ceilings, and other areas of a home with urine and feces.

Do you have a raccoon control problem around your house or business? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed wildlife removal services for raccoons in Indianapolis, Indiana. We also provide attic restoration and cleanup.

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Is Your Home Vulnerable to Raccoon Intrusion?

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Budgetanimal

Raccoons are known to find their way into our homes, garages, barns, and porch spaces; however, do we really know how vulnerable our house is to such intrusion? How do you determine your home’s level of exposure? Continue reading to learn ways to inspect and animal proof your house from raccoon invasion this winter season.

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Home Inspections

To begin assessing how open your home is to the wild animal community, particularly raccoons, it is crucial to inspect the inside and outside of your house. Look for weak spots and pay close attention to dark, warm areas. These are ideal shelter spots for raccoons. Indoors, try starting in your basement. If you do not have a basement, turn to your utility room, crawl space, or garage as an option in its place.

In the basement or other areas, look in dark corners, and keep your eyes peeled for any open or exposed areas. These could be areas of access. If you do not see anything here, move on to the attic area. Attics are very popular spots for raccoons. They love the dark, warm shelter it provides. This is an ideal breeding ground for them too. If you do not have an attic, check under stairs and in closets.

Exterior of Your Home

Outside, raccoon access points are easier to spot. Look to your roof and try to observe any loose shingles or pried open areas. These are indications that raccoons have been breaking in. Check under porches and patios as well. These are also common areas of access and even areas of living for wild raccoons.

Hire a Pro for Comprehensive Inspections

Doing an interior and exterior inspection of your home is a tedious and difficult task. Typically, it is recommended to hire a professional wildlife removal and control company to provide an inspection. They are highly trained and experienced professionals that know all the signs to look for, and how to remedy the disturbance within a convenient time frame. If you are having trouble, call a professional for advice. They can offer the best solutions and service.

Animal-Proof Your Home

Once an inspection has been completed, it is important to move onto animal proofing your home right away. The areas that were labeled weak, exposed, and open should be sealed immediately. By closing off the areas of access, you can stop further intrusion. It is very crucial to have all existing raccoons removed from your home with the help of a professional company before sealing off these access points.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control Service

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 to get rid of raccoons in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control specialists offer nuisance wildlife abatement services, cleanup and minor restorations for animal damages, 24 hour emergency service, and free estimates. Get started by requesting a free estimate or advice, today.

Current Efforts to Reduce Rabies in U.S. Racoon Populations

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Budgetanimal

It used to be dogs that were among the biggest threat of spreading around the Rabies virus, but with the influx of modern innovation and awareness, canines are simply not affected as much here in the United States. As a result of these changes, scientists are now suggesting that the Rabies virus poses the most risk of spreading in the raccoon population. For this reason, they have come up with a fantastic way to reduce Rabies outbreaks in the U.S.

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Rabies Vaccines for Raccoons

According to the field coordinator for the National Rabies Management Program, Jordona Kirby, “Annual statistics indicate that raccoons are one of the number one species in which we see rabies cases every year.” Since a widely-accepted public and animal health initiative in the 70’s, the U.S. government has been dispersing oral rabies vaccines through the National Rabies Management Program. In fact, this program has made history because it is the biggest organized effort to abate a zoonotic disease in wildlife ever in the United States.

Although this program is said to cost around $28 million annually to keep it running, it is predicted to save tax payers up to $60 million since Rabies control will reduce needs like public health investigations, rabies testing, and availability to post-exposure vaccines for people. Currently, a fish meal polymer block that looks similar to a ketchup packet is the key to broad-range Rabies vaccination among raccoons. These fishy oral rabies vaccines are scientifically developed to attract raccoon’s appetites; and when they bite into them, the packet splits open and releases the liquid vaccine in their mouths.

Rabies Vaccines for People and Pets

All cases of rabies in humans were fatal until the vaccine was invented in the early 1900’s. Now, if a person is ever infected with Rabies, they can go to the emergency room and receive effective treatment to stop the virus from multiplying. Rabies vaccinations for children and adults are inexpensive and can be outsourced at any local clinic or medical office. Families can also contact passport health clinics and speak with health travel medical specialists about receiving vaccinations for the rabies virus. Even after exposure, a rabies vaccination can be given to a human for added assurance and protection.

The Indiana Administrative Code statute states that all dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated at 4 months of age, and then re-vaccinated annually, and then re-vaccinated according to manufacturer’s instructions. Pet vaccinations must be administered by a licensed and accredited veterinarian.

How to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones

To best avoid potential exposure to the rabies virus, it is important to avoid contact with wild animals. This includes injured or orphaned ones. If you have raccoons on your property, contact a local animal control service to have them safely and humanely removed.

Safe Raccoon Removal and Control in Indianapolis

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for fast and affordable removal and control for raccoons in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control specialists offer nuisance wildlife abatement services, cleanup and minor restorations for animal damages, 24 hour emergency service, free estimates, and much more! Get started by requesting a free estimate or advice, today.