Raccoons are supremely equipped for survival. Their strength, intelligence, and adaptability have made them one of our most common calls. Raccoons frequently come into conflict with people by raiding garbage and living inside attics, chimneys, and garages. We even get occasional calls when a raccoon enters a house by going through a pet door or fireplace and is found going through the kitchen cabinets. We at Michigan Pest & Wildlife Management are experts at humanely capturing and removing problem raccoons. We can be contacted 24 hours a day in case of a late night emergency. We can also repair damage done by raccoons and install chimney caps to help prevent future problems. If you are having trouble with raccoons or are hearing noises in your attic that you'd like to have investigated, give us a call at 248-762-4760.

Scientific name: Procyon lotor

Weight: 12 to 50 Lbs. Specimens on the larger side of the scale are very uncommon. The raccoons we catch are usually between 15 and 30 Lbs.

Range: Raccoons can be found throughout the United States except for Alaska and parts of the Rocky Mountains. They can also be found in southern Canada, Mexico, and Central America.

Habitat: Raccoons prefer wooded and wetland habitats but due to their adaptability they can be found in almost any type of environment. They have adapted very well to living near people. In fact, there are often higher concentrations of raccoons living in cities and suburbs than there are in rural areas. Raccoons commonly live inside man-made structures. They are excellent climbers and often make their way into people's attics and chimneys. They are able to climb up the corners of buildings, brick chimneys, down spouts, and will also use tree branches that are to close to the roof. Raccoons are very powerful and are capable of ripping through vents and even the roof itself to gain entry. They will also den underneath low-lying decks, in crawl spaces, culverts, old woodchuck dens, and inside boats stored outdoors.

Diet: Raccoons are omnivores and eat a wide variety of foods including nuts, berries, insects, mice, squirrels, bird eggs, nestling birds, crayfish, frogs, clams, turtles, and turtle eggs. They also like fruits and vegetables and can be a major pest to farmers and gardeners. Raccoons are very fond of human food and frequently raid garbage cans and dumpsters in search of our leftovers. Any pet food left outside at night will also be readily taken.

Reproduction: Raccoons mate between January and March. Babies are typically born from March through May after a 63 day gestation. There can be 1 to 8 babies in a litter with the average being between 3 and 5. Babies weigh only 2 oz at birth and don't open their eyes until they are about three weeks old. They are able to start coming out of the den at about 7 to 8 weeks of age and are weaned by the end of summer. The young often disperse in the fall but may stay with the mother until the following spring when they will be forced out before the next generation of is born.

Hibernation: Raccoons do not hibernate but may stay inside their den during very cold periods for several days to several weeks. One third or more of their winter weight is comprised of body fat and they are capable of surviving the entire winter without eating. They will, however, forage for food when the opportunity presents itself.

Predators: Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and birds of prey all will eat raccoons. Hunters take some as well, but their most significant causes of death are disease and automobiles.

Raccoons and disease: The two major diseases that affect raccoons are rabies and distemper. Rabies is an acute infectious disease of the central nervous system and is present in the saliva, brain, and spinal cord of infected animal. Symptoms include lack of coordination, tremors, excessive salivation, aggression, paralysis, coma, and death. Rabies is typically transmitted through a bite from an infected animal. Once symptoms appear it is nearly 100% Fatal. Luckily proper post exposure treatment is nearly 100% effective in treating the disease. If you have been bitten or scratched by a raccoon or any other animal it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Distemper is a highly contagious disease which can cause acute illness and death in raccoons and many other wild carnivores. The virus that causes distemper can be contracted by aerosol droplets, direct contact, or contact with contaminated objects. Symptoms of distemper include aggressiveness, disorientation and lack of alertness, convulsive movements of the head and paws, aimless wandering, nasal discharge and the eyes may be adhered closed with crust. Humans can not contract distemper but both domestic cats and dogs can. Vaccinations are available to protect your pets from contracting the disease.

Raccoons also carry parasites. Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris) is of particular importance because it can be spread to humans and is quite common. People can become infected by accidentally ingesting infective eggs in soil, water or on objects that have been contaminated by raccoon feces. Raccoon Roundworm can cause skin irritations as well as eye and brain damage from migrating larva. Two deaths have been attributed to this parasite, both of which involved small children. In one case the child had been exposed to surfaces in the home which had been contaminated by a pet raccoon. In the other case the child had been chewing on contaminated firewood that was brought into the home. The eggs are very resistant to environmental conditions and can remain viable for years. Any objects that may have been contaminated with raccoon feces should be properly disposed of. The use of gloves and a face mask are highly recommended when handling contaminated items. If raccoons have been defecating on a deck or patio the droppings should be removal and the area should be thoroughly cleaned with boiling water to kill the remaining eggs.

We provide humane raccoon control in the following cities in Oakland County - Auburn Hills, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Clarkston, Clawson, Commerce Township, Davisburg, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Franklin, Hazel Park, Highland, Huntington Woods, Independence Township, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Lake Orion, Lathrup Village, Madison Heights, Milford, Novi, Northville, Oak Park, Oakland Township, Orchard Lake, Orion Township, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Rose Township, Royal Oak, Southfield, Southfield Township, Springfield Township, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Walled Lake, Waterford, West Bloomfield, White Lake, Wixom, Wolverine Lake, South Lyon

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