Pros and Cons of Having Raccoons as Pets

Many of us new homeowners and animal lovers would normally be thrilled to have the company of the very common wildlife visitor around our home, the seemingly adorable wildlife bandit -- the raccoon. While these furry animals may look harmless and innocent, don’t be deceived by their looks. There is a reason why wild animals are meant for the wild and this masked creature is one of them.

One of the many wildlife animals that we come across with in man-made buildings and houses are the raccoons. These masked furry animals are actually intelligent creatures. This paired with very manipulative paws that can open almost anything make a very destructive combination.

Why are raccoons dangerous? 

Raccoons have been known to topple over and open garbage bags and bins, leaving a huge mess after their foraging. They can open containers and unlock doors and windows. They are also probable carriers of rabies, which can be lethal for you and your pets.

So, what can you do to help evacuate these animals without hurting them and exposing yourself to risk? Prevention is what you should focus on if you aren’t infested with these wild animals yet. Here are some tips you can take to avoid or at least, minimize the probabilities of raccoons making your home their home.

1. Never leave sources of food out in your yard. Make sure your outdoor grills are clean and do not have any food residues. Do not feed your pets outside as well, or if you have no way around it, make sure their food bowls are taken in at night.
2. Secure your garbage bins so they are not easily toppled over and are not easily opened.
3. Check any openings to your house and seal them completely.

However, if you have already seen a raccoon wandering regularly on your property and are not sure if there is a whole litter of raccoon kits somewhere you can proceed with these wildlife control steps:

1. Locate their den inside or around your house. If there are already kits inside, you will have to remove them from the den site by hand. Eliminate all sources of food in your property that can be easily accessed by the mother raccoon. This way, you won’t be attracting other raccoons in the neighbourhood to your house.
2. You can also try to expose them to as much disturbance and noise as possible, so they will be forced to find a more peaceful environment, which in this case, isn’t your home anymore.
3. Once they move out, seal all openings to your home securely and tightly.

If you’re ever unsure of what to do and are inexperienced, the safest and easiest way is calling for professional help from our animal control experts like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. You pay for service, time, effort and health saved for wildlife control, which makes the choice worth every cent.

How Wildlife Can Compromise Your Home Insulation

Wildlife infestation is a problem for every home and business owner. Wherever nuisance animals build their dens on your property, they leave behind a trail of droppings, urine and other damages. Because of these property and health risks, animal control has been considered the best solution.

Wildlife inside your home can cause a wide range of damage to your furniture, fixtures, foundations, venting systems and home insulation. Probably the most vulnerable part to wildlife animals is your home insulation, as it can easily be torn up and holes tunneled through.

What is home insulation? One of the most important areas to insulate are your walls and attic to either keep the heat and air conditioning in. There are various types of insulation systems available depending on the climate of your area. The second form of insulation is the one that envelops your wiring. It prevents any form of direct contact with the electrical wires, to avoid electrocution, short circuits, and any risk of fire.

Both of them are very important and must be kept in a good, working order. Otherwise, problems will occur. Wild animals inside your home are no joking matter as access to these insulation materials can compromise your family’s safety.

Squirrels and rats are a problem because of their excessive chewing. They don’t only chew wood and wiring, but will also not hesitate to chew your home insulation. Animals will leave their fecal matter and urinate on your insulation material, which will leave it in a devastated and inefficient state, aside from the fact that animal urine leaves a foul smell that can linger all over your home or business establishment.

Wildlife animals are also known for nesting in your attic. They will gather dry materials which can be used to build their nests, and your home insulation is no exception. In a short matter of time, your attic’s chewed wiring could be in contact with flammable nesting material. This could prove to be very lethal as your wiring will now be exposed and there is high risk of fire.

Raccoons also cause damage to these insulation materials as they trample and compact the material, reducing the insulating effectiveness and therefore, resulting in significant energy loss. Mice tunnel through insulation and leave holes, which will allow significant air leakage.

To avoid headaches about property damage and your family’s safety, it is best that you call for wildlife control services like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.

Skedaddle’s Wildlife Technicians will help you evacuate these nuisance wildlife from your home and can keep them out for good through the process called exclusion. Exclusion is one of the most effective ways to keep the animals out, securing your property and health from risks the little critters bring with them. On top of that, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control also offers an insulation service that is environmentally and health-conscious and at the same time, cost-efficient! What can get better than that? Call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today!

How to Move On from an Attic Infestation

Due to the widespread development of once wild and forested areas into subdivisions and commercial areas, many wildlife animals have become accustom to living in human dwellings and structures. This is why it’s a normal thing for people to see raccoons or squirrels running about on their property everyday. These animals are constantly in the search for food and a safer shelter.

What can be safer from predators than a structure built for humans? Also, let us not deny the fact that these animals can find food easily since every home has a large supply. These combinations make a perfect alternative to these animals’ wild habitats. This is why you should reinforce your home against infestations and learn about wildlife control.

The attic is one of the most common places where animals hide and take refuge. Why? It is dark, undisturbed, spacious and provides warmth during the winter months. Your attic can house a whole colony of bats, a family of raccoons or squirrels, even rats or mice. You may even have experienced one already, and the devastating amount of damage they can leave will surely have you scratching your head.
Here is a guide on what you can do after the animals have been moved out of your attic:

1. Check for wires and other hazardous damage first before cleaning. Common damage left by an attic infestation is the wiring, this is very dangerous as it can start a fire at anytime, or electrocute anyone who comes in contact with uninsulated wires. So, before you start cleaning the whole place, make sure all wires are in good shape, and if they aren’t, you may have to ask for an electrician’s advice.

2. Start cleaning, but make sure you are properly equipped. Animal urine and droppings can be lethal to you. Most diseases are contracted by direct contact or mere inhalation of animal waste, so make sure you have gloves and a mask on. Wear long sleeves and pants as well, so you minimize possibilities of contact with the waste. Clean and disinfect all sections in the attic.

3. Check for possible entryways and seal them up. This is to avoid getting more infestations in the future. Make sure the covers are hard and secure enough, so they aren’t easily torn through. Close small gaps and holes, as mice and rats can enter through them. Repair damaged parts of the wall, floor or ceiling.

4. Disinfect your equipment after you are done cleaning. Do not take risks and make sure no residue is left on your skin. These contaminants can cause skin infections or even leave you with roundworms or other pathogens.

Make sure you check all other entry points into your house after the infestation, so you’ll never have to worry about wildlife sharing your home and food.

If you are unsure whether all animals are out or you just don’t have the time to properly clean and protect your home, you can call an animal control professional. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control offer removal, exclusion and clean up services for those who seek their professional wildlife control so that you can re-claim a safe haven for you and your loved ones.

Different Kinds of Skunks

Skunks are members of the weasel family which are also known as the Mephitidae family. They are commonly known for their ability to secrete a foul strong smelling odor from their rear end. They do so as a defensive measure when they feel threatened.

Skunks are the inhabitants of North America, Mexico, Indonesia and in some parts of the Philippines. A skunk’s presence is more often detected by the repugnant odour it produces rather than actually spotting it. This animal is nocturnal and solitary and they only socialize during mating season, though communal denning sometimes occurs during winter. The size of the most common skunk, the striped skunk, is approximately the size of a house cat.

The striking black and white colouration is the bold indicator of most skunks. These animals are extremely adaptable and have learned to live in cities. It can thrive in its habitat as long as it can tolerate the changes in food availability and environment.

According to biologists, skunks can be classified into five different species. This is referred to as Genus which is a group of related animals or plants that includes several or many different species. In regards to the Skunk all these five species are characterized into three genera : Spilogale, Conepatus and Methitis. Of these three, Methitis is the dominant genera. The five species of skunks are:

Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

Eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius)

Western spotted skunk(Spilogale gravilis)

Hognosed skunk (Conepatus leucontus)

Hooded skunk (Mephitis macroura)

Striped skunk

The striped skunk is the common inhabitant of North America. This skunk has white stripes along its tail and the body of the animal is jet black in colour. Its stripe starts with a triangle at the head and break into two stripes down its back. The stripes usually meet again and form one stripe at the base of their tail. They secrete a foul smelling chemical from their rear end to protect them from prey threats. This skunk is primarily nocturnal, foraging for food at night and sleeping in its burrow during the day.

Eastern spotted skunk

Eastern spotted skunks are small, relatively slender skunks with a weasel like body shape. They are found in woodlands, prairies and sometimes rocky areas of eastern and central USA and north-east Mexico. Like other skunks, they are also nocturnal and follow omnivorous diet.

Western spotted skunk

The western spotted skunk is comparatively smaller than the striped skunk and eastern spotted skunk. They have glossy fur interrupted with distinct white stripes on the forward part of the body. The posterior part of the body has two strips and one big white spot. The other habits of western spotted skunk are similar to all other species.

Hognosed skunk

The ‘hognosed’ name comes due to the skunk’s distinctive blunt nose which resembles a pig’s snout. In addition to their distinctive nose, skunks in this genus have coarser fur than other skunk species. They are rare but can be found in some parts of South America, Indonesia, and Philippines. Hognosed skunk tend to roam more and never return to the same den twice.

Hooded skunk

Hooded skunks are more or less similar to striped skunks. They are about 28-33 cm long. They are white from the top of their head to the end of their tail and their underside, face and legs are black. The habits of hooded skunk are similar to that of other skunks as well.

All the five species of skunks have excellent smell and hearing but they are known for having poor vision. Baby skunks are born completely toothless and blind with the eyes of the baby skunk not opening until it is is a few weeks old. Skunks can be harmful in many ways, they can not only destroy property but also are carriers of rabies.

There are various methods for skunk control and prevention. The best methods are physical barriers to den sites and the removal of food sources. However, one should be aware of the rules and regulations of wildlife control of the particular area before adopting any one of the methods of animal control. Better yet, anyone dealing with skunk problems should call a wildlife control company like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control to ensure that only humane and safe skunk removal strategies are used to get rid of the problem.

Understanding Skunks: Unique skunk habits

Skunks are the mammals belonging to the Mephitidae family. They are well known for their lingering smell caused by their spray. It is the most powerful defensive weapon of the skunks as they use it against their enemy when they sense danger.

Skunks are found all throughout North America and also in some parts of Mexico. In North America alone, 4 species of skunks are found with the most abundant being the striped one (scientifically known as Mephitis mephitis). The second most common skunk is the spotted one which is scientifically known as Spilogale putorius. The other species of skunk are the hooded skunks (Mephitis macroura) and the hog-nosed skunks (Conepatus leuconotus).

The average lifespan of a striped skunk is about 2-4 years and it weighs about 8 pounds. The average size of the skunk is about 20-30” long (including the tail). Although the most common fur colour is black and white, some skunks are brown or grey and a few are cream coloured. Moreover, skunks are also known for their unique habits as follows:

Spraying

Skunks are known to release a powerful smell through their anal glands when threatened. They have two glands, one on each side of the anus. These glands produce a mixture of sulfur containing chemicals such as thiols traditionally called mercaptans which have a highly offensive smell. This odour is so strong that it is used for the purpose defense by the skunk.

Habitat and Nature

Skunks are extremely adaptable and opportunistic. They can thrive in many different habitats as long as food and shelter are available. Skunks rarely dig their own holes but they make dens in tree hollows and ground level openings under buildings and structures.

They are nocturnal and are mostly active during night. They are solitary animals mostly living and foraging alone.Skunks are generally non-aggressive and it would hardly attack anyone until and unless it feels threatened and disturbed. Spraying is not the first defensive weapon against animal control instead skunks first resist and try to scare animals by growling, spitting, flapping and shaking their tail.

Reproduction

Since skunks are solitary animals and prefer to live alone, mating season is one of the only other times when skunks tend to socialize. Skunks give birth to 1-7 youngsters in late April through June. The gestation period of skunks are approximately 66 days. Being that they are mammals, skunks feed their young ones by mother’s milk.

Digging

Skunks are known for making holes in gardens and lawns. They have strong forefeet which are well equipped with claws. These claws help them to dig holes. Skunks damage property and sometimes even den in the foundation openings of buildings. They even undermine sheds, decks and also damage many gardens because of their eating and digging behaviours.

Food habits

Skunks prefer an omnivorous diet typically preferring to dine on insects and grubs, but will also eat plants. Some also witness cases that skunks have damaged beehives in order to eat bees.

Skunks also carry many diseases such as rabies which can be transmitted when they bite an individual or another animal. They also carry many pests such as ticks and mites which are themselves carriers of many diseases. There are many methods for skunk control; Skunk traps, electronic repellents, and keeping a clean garden are the primary ones. However, before attempting to trap a skunk, you should call your local Humane Society or Wildlife Control professionals to determine the laws and regulations regarding the wildlife in your area. To make things easier, safer, and convenient for you call the professionals at an animal control company like Skedaddle this way, you can ensure that your skunk problems will be addressed properly. The best part is you can save money in the long run because you can be sure that future re-entries of skunks will be prevented. Skedaddle will make sure that you will never run into a problem with skunks ever again.

Rabid Skunk: What to Do if You See One

Imagine relaxing in your backyard with your children and pets and seeing a black and white ball of fur wandering aimlessly alongside your fence. As your dogs begin to bark and engage the small creature, you follow closely eager to find out what the commotion is all about. As you get closer you realize that the ball of fur is a skunk. You stand there frozen in fear of being sprayed by its pungent spray. You scream at your dogs to back away from the animal but they ignore your warning and approach the skunk anyways. They sniff and poke at it, but to your surprise instead of being met with a spray, you notice that the animal seems disoriented and ignores the presence of your barking dogs’. This is not an invitation for you to come closer to the skunk, it is possible that this skunk is rabid.

If the threat of being drenched in a putrid mist doesn’t discourage you from approaching skunks, perhaps knowing that skunks have been increasingly testing positive for rabies and the risk of you or your pets becoming infected would. However, the majority of skunks sighted outside of the wild are not rabid.  Most skunks are simply feeding on critters in your yard or scavenging through your left-out pet food or trash. 

In the event of an encounter with a rabid skunk you or your pets can become infected with rabies. This is why you should call your local animal control to remove the skunk from your yard.  In order to ensure your safety, these are a few actions you must take. Maintain a safe distance from the skunk at all times. Never touch or attempt to remove a skunk even if it appears dead or harmless. Alert animal control to remove the pest. It is always important to inform animal control of skunks exhibiting peculiar characteristics based on appearance and mannerism.

What does rabid skunk behaviour look like? Rabid animals typically experience three phases of their infection prior to death. In any of these stages, humans and animals are most vulnerable to the rabies virus.

Early symptoms or the prodromal phase of a rabies infection in skunks are characterized by changes in behaviour such as: 

• The skunk does not flee from humans or other animal advances
• The skunk has fur that appears mangy and unkempt

The second stage or excitative stage includes skunks exhibiting the following signs:

• Aggressive or violent behaviour
• Disorientated

In the final stage or the paralytic stage skunks will:

• Have impaired motor skills and coordination
• Paralysis of the limbs

So what should you do? Unless you are trained in wildlife removal, back away from the skunk as you are putting yourself in serious danger! Rabid animals have been known to attack, both provoked and unprovoked. The virus is transmitted through wounds as a result of being bitten or scratched by these infected animals. In the event of a bite or scratch always seek medical attention immediately. If a pet has been bitten, take your pet to the veterinarian for immediate quarantine. 

Attempting to remove or scare away this animal yourself can have serious adverse effects. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control professionals can help keep you and your family safe by removing the infected animal from your property. In addition, wildlife control can implement various strategies to prevent wildlife from coming back to your home. Make the right decision and allow the professionals to take care of the situation effectively and properly.

The Dangers of Having Skunks in your Home

Skunks are mammals known for their repugnant odour so powerful that it can cause intense discomfort if it gets into a person’s eyes. They are nocturnal organisms and are mostly active during late evening hours. The skunk has short, stocky legs and proportionately large feet equipped with well developed claws which enables it to be very adept at digging. The most common types of problem skunks are the striped and the spotted.

The striped skunk is characterised by prominent, lateral white stripes that run down its back. However, its fur is jet black. They are the most abundant of all the species. The striped skunk is approximately the size of a house cat. It weighs about 8 pounds.

Spotted skunks are however smaller in size and weighs about 2-3 pounds. They are easily distinguishable because of their spots. Although the most common fur colour is black and white, some skunks are brown or grey and a few are cream coloured.

Skunks are commonly found in North America and Mexico. The striped skunk is common throughout the United States and Canada while spotted skunks can be seen in some parts of United States and Northern Mexico. Skunks inhabit clearings and open lands bordering forests and live in ground level den sites like hollow logs and rock piles.

Skunks become a nuisance when their burrowing and feeding habits conflict with humans. They may inhabit one’s house and it becomes more problematic when they grow their numbers through reproduction and the risk of spray increases. They start damaging the lawns and gardens which deteriorate the beauty of your landscaping. Moreover they dig holes in open grounds like golf courses or even inhabit garages. Skunks spread garbage left outdoors or in open bins. They are very much hazardous to physical as well as mental health of the people whose home they inhabit. As such, they must be removed, controlled, and future re-entry must be prevented and this can be best done by wildlife control experts.

Health and safety

Skunks are primary carriers of rabies. There have been cases across The United States of people suffering from rabies caused by skunk bites. There is no government approved rabies vaccine available in the U.S, however in Canada, Imrab 3 was used in a study for off-label use as a skunk rabies vaccine but to date it is not approved for skunk use. 

Skunks also carry many pests such as ticks, fleas and mites, which themselves carry a number of diseases. One should be aware of the wildlife control measures and methods in order to prevent further spreading.

Moreover, skunks spread garbage left in bags unattended which in itself is an invitation to diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, etc. If you are on a small farm although skunks normally do not climb fences, if they gain access into a chicken coup they will normally feed on the eggs and occasionally kill one or two fowl. In some cases, skunks are known for attacking or spraying pets such as dogs and cats when disturbed by them. 

Property damage

Apart from damage caused by bad odour, which also carries both physical and mental health risks, skunks cause considerable property damage. They damage our gardens and lawns by digging, “grubbing” and burrowing. Moreover, they undermine sheds, decks or foundations through digging. 

Skunks are also known for damaging ornamental plants in gardens and tearing up plants.  Occasionally, they feed on corn, eating only the lower ears and may also damage beehives in order to eat bees. Their strong odorous spray can damage carpet, furniture, draperies, and clothing for a very long time.

Control measures

The method of exclusion is the most effective way of animal control and avoiding them from entering the house. You can prevent skunks from digging under buildings by sealing off all the foundation openings. Seal all ground level openings into barns and close doors at night.

Never keep your garbage in bags or in gardens as garbage is the primary element that attract skunks. Debris such as lumber, fence posts, and junk cars provide shelter for skunks, and may encourage them to stay in the area.

There are no authorized repellants available in the market for skunk control. However, some DIY methods such as an ammonia soaked cloth may repel skunks but that won’t last long.

The trapping method can be used for trapping skunks as done in the case of rats. There are many box traps available on the market which can be used for this purpose. But, before trapping skunks you should be aware of the laws and regulations regarding wildlife control in your area. Or better yet, call a wildlife control service and let them handle the situation.

In general skunks should not be destroyed needlessly as another skunk will take it’s place. Removing food and shelter options is far more effective. It is also wrong to kill wildlife just because they are a nuisance therefore, humane methods should be used for controlling them. A good wildlife control company like Skedaddle offers skunk removal methods that are humane, safe, and reliable.