Raccoon Identification & Prevention

Raccoons are nocturnal wildlife pests that scavenge for food, often making themselves at home on or close to residential properties where there is easy access to garbage and other food sources.

This pest is about has gray and black fur with a ringed tail and a mask-like marking across its eyes. Raccoons grow between 24 and 36 inches long and weigh 10 to 20 pounds.

Raccoons can be very dangerous, and you shouldn't approach them if you are not a wildlife expert who knows how to handle them properly. Not only can raccoons bite and scratch, but they can spread many dangerous diseases, including rabies. They can also carry salmonellosis, E. coli, leptospirosis, giardiasis, roundworms, and other parasites.

As mentioned above, raccoons are scavengers that take advantage of food sources on residential properties. These food sources can include garbage cans without tight-fitting lids that they can easily knock over, bird feeders, fallen fruit, and more. They may also take advantage of your property for water and shelter.

On residential properties, raccoons look for cool, dry places where it is safe to raise young. They will go underneath sheds, decks, and crawl spaces for protection. However, raccoons are also skilled climbers and can make their way into attics.

Don't try to perform wildlife removal on your own. Instead, contact pest control experts for assistance.

Residents of Wilmington and surrounding areas can contact Delmar Pest Control for help with  raccoon control. We provide multiple services for wildlife, including trapping, exclusion, and sanitation.

We do not use kill traps and instead use live traps to catch and remove raccoons from your property safely. Once the pest is gone, we will perform minor exclusion work to fix small damages. And because wildlife like raccoons spread diseases through their waste, we can sanitize and disinfect any affected areas. We can also remove and blow new insulation for an additional cost.

Contact Delmar Pest Control today for residential or commercial pest control services to remove and prevent raccoons from causing problems on your property.

While professional services are the best way to remove raccoons, they will likely become a problem again if your property continues to provide conducive conditions that attract them. Here are several ways you can make your home less attractive to wildlife such as raccoons:

• Check to make sure your garbage cans aren't easily knocked over and have lids that fit tightly.
• Secure compost piles and make certain gardens have the proper fencing around them.
• Remove bird feeders and never leave pet food outside or food for wildlife.
• If you have fruit or nut trees in your yard, regularly pick up fallen fruit and nuts, properly disposing of them.
• Cover any gaps or holes underneath your deck, shed, and other outbuildings where raccoons can hide.
• Keep the trees and bushes in your yard cut short.
• Make sure there is no damage in the fencing around your yard, or install fencing if possible.
• Use motion sensor outdoor lights at night to deter raccoons.
• Remove birdbaths, cover ponds, and address other water sources.

Call Delmar Pest Control for the residential pest control you need to keep dangerous raccoons away.