8 Raccoon Facts Florida Homeowners

Raccoons have gained quite a reputation in Central Florida. While the mischievous critters are known for trampling gardens, disturbing trashcans and littering garbage across yards, raccoons can also cause a lot of interior damage if they find their way inside your Florida home.

Here are eight raccoon facts that will help you understand why you need to keep these pests off your property, and why it is best to rely on raccoon removal experts to get rid of raccoons the right way.

Surprising Facts About Raccoon Infestations

1. Raccoons are nocturnal.
   

   Raccoons take shelter pretty much everywhere. All they need is cover to keep them concealed from humans as much as they can, and water to survive. They eat anything, including your pet’s food or garbage. This is precisely why they take shelter in your garage, garden shed or attic.

   During the day, raccoons look for dark, quiet and empty places to rest and sleep, but at night, they are on the hunt for food in buildings that give them close access to it. This is primarily the reason why raccoons love attics, chimneys, garages and trashcans. If a raccoon gains access to your home at night, expect a messy and likely damaged area when you wake.

2. Raccoons can grow up to 28 inches and weigh up to 26 kg.
   

   Raccoons can get huge. A full-grown 28-inch raccoon is not small at all. It is about the same height as a medium-sized dog. 26 kg is pretty heavy too—much heavier than a toddler! Just imagine trying to chase a big raccoon across your home and all the damage it could cause.
   

3. Raccoons will no longer fear you if you feed them.
   

   Some find raccoons to be adorable and cute and can’t help but feel sorry for the critters when they appear hungry, so they feed them. However, if you feed a raccoon, it will no longer fear you and come back with friends expecting more food. Too many hungry raccoons in the same area can get very dangerous. While raccoons are normally docile, they can get aggressive and scratch or bite if they feel threatened. If a wild raccoon attacks you, a family member or a neighbor, then you likely regret ever feeding it at all.
   

4. Raccoons can eat practically anything.
   

   Most raccoons are better scavengers than they are hunters. Most often, they feast on whatever’s lying around such as pet food, garbage, dead animals, fallen garden produce, or insects. That is why raccoons are so desperate to get inside residential homes. They can smell the food inside your kitchen pantry and want nothing more than to nest close by it.
   

5. Raccoons will wreck your home.
   

   Since they’re much larger compared to rats, raccoons can leave a bigger mess in your house than common rodents. They can scratch walls and wooden floors and knock over chairs, lamps, frames and other furniture. They will also leave an abundance of foul droppings throughout your property. Not only does their waste stink, but it can also contain parasites and harmful diseases.
   

6. Raccoons can hurt your pets.
   

   Whether you have a cat or a dog, your loyal pet will do anything to protect you against an infestation of raccoons. If your curious pet corners a raccoon, it could get defensive and attack. Because raccoons are quite large, a scuffle could result in fractures, scratches,  bites and a costly bill from your pet’s vet.
   

7. Raccoons carry diseases.

   Raccoons can carry diseases like leptospirosis, salmonella and rabies that they could transmit to humans through bites and scratches or contact with their waste. They also carry fleas and ticks that can spread disease to you or your pets. The most dangerous threat is the raccoon roundworm found in their feces. Even if you don’t touch or ingest it, simply inhaling airborne eggs can cause serious health issues.

8. Raccoons can cause costly property damage.

   While it has been mentioned above that invasive raccoons can mess up your house, their destructive tendencies can also be costly and dangerous. Raccoons will shred window, door and porch screens, scratch through insulation, shingles, vents and other parts of your home’s infrastructure, and chew on electrical wires that can lead to power outages and house fires.

Rely on Our Licensed Raccoon Removal Experts

For assistance in raccoon removal and other animal trapping services, Animal Wildlife Trappers is the company to call. Experts on our team are licensed and extensively trained to handle all kinds of wildlife in Florida, including raccoons. Our services are available in Orlando, Maitland, Ocoee, Lake Mary, Clermont, Apopka, and surrounding cities. To schedule an appointment with our team of raccoon removal experts and receive a free estimates!

For raccoon removal, call Animal Wildlife Trappers at 

352-267-0546.