Are you having problems with raccoons stealing cat food in Arlington, TN? Raccoons like to eat plants, berries, vegetables, and meat which makes them omnivorous animals. The majority of animals that eat plants and meat are opportunistic eaters. They will eat whatever they can get their little paws on and why you will see them foraging in the trash, and yes, this does include raccoons stealing and eating dog and cat food as well.
What Types Of Food Do Raccoons Eat?
A raccoon’s main diet consists of nuts, berries, insects, plants, vegetables, frogs, eggs, and other small rodents. This is, of course, if they are in the wild. If other food sources are more abundant they may be attracted to other sources. It is much easier for them to dig through trash for leftovers if they are living near suburban areas. It is a treat whenever they find a bowl of dog or cat food served right up on a platter for them! There is practically nothing that a raccoon will not eat!
Raccoons can be the biggest cause of problems in a suburban area. Not only are they are extremely smart but their hand-shaped paws can allow them to open almost anything. The best way to deter raccoons from coming onto your property is to make sure they have no reason to be there. Ensure your trash can is locked up tightly or stored away until the morning the trash collector is scheduled to come. Do not leave food of any kind outside near open windows or pet doors. To learn more about raccoon removal in Arlington, click here.
Raccoons Eating Cat And Dog Food?
Make sure sure if you eat outside on your patio to clean up any leftovers and make sure that no food is dropped on the ground and left behind. Dog and cat food should be stored inside. If your pets are fed outside make sure you pick up any left over food that remains uneaten and clean up any pieces that may have been dropped. The smell of food in an area will cause raccoons to look for it. Upon finding a good source of food raccoons will want to settle in and make a home close by which can often be in someone’s attic.
Raccoons are very good climbers and can get onto roofs and will chew holes in eaves to gain access into the attic. They will do this for a safe and quiet place to nest, but this can lead to other structural damage to the inside and outside of a home.
Possible Health Concerns When Raccoons Don’t Leave
Raccoons that have settled into an area to stay will create evidence of their presence. You may begin to see a lot of fecal droppings in your attic or your yard, depending on where it is that they decide to nest. It is important to note that his is extremely unsanitary and can cause several health concerns.
The main concern from coming into contact with the fecal droppings is a disease know as Balisacaris. This is a disease that originates from roundworms that are present in a raccoon’s intestines and the roundworm eggs that are present and passed in the fecal matter. This bacteria is not at all harmful to raccoons, but it can be very harmful to humans and other animals creating neurological damage.
Symptoms can include fatigue, lack of attention to surroundings, and an enlarged liver. Loss of coordination, lack of muscle control, blindness, and coma can also occur. These symptoms can present anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks following contact. Medical attention should be sought immediately should you or your pets start to display any of these symptoms.
Raccoon Fecal Cleanup And Deodorization
Call Apex Wildlife Control whenever you are noticing evidence of raccoon feces or urine stains in your attic. Apex offers fecal cleaning and deodorization services. We use the correct protective gear – safety goggles, suits, gloves, respirators, and cleaning supplies necessary – in order to safely clean up fecal droppings in your home. We perform a thorough clean up so you do not have to worry about your family or pets getting sick.
Types Of Bait We Use If You Have Raccoons Stealing Cat Food In Arlington, TN
We use baits that are species specific. Raccoons love cat and dog food. However, ice must use a different bait if there are domestic animals around. We will use a bait such as marshmallows or Twizzlers for raccoons are this is a sweet bait that dogs and cats do not enjoy.
Raccoons should move on to forage elsewhere once access to all food sources have been removed. There will be times when just removing food sources is not enough as they have already settled in and made a home. This is when our company’s relocation services comes in handy to trap and relocate the animals to another area. We utilize humane live traps that are harmless to the raccoons and any other animals that might possibly become trapped in them. Live cage traps also prevent unwanted harm to domestic animals.
Do You Have A Family Of Raccoons?
There may be more than one raccoon involved and this information is good for us to know as it helps us determine the number of traps needed. Our wildlife technicians will always relocate family members together whenever possible so it is good to know the number of members so the technicians set the proper number of traps to catch the whole family together. We can even go as far as to hold the raccoon for a day or two while we endeavor to trap the entire family. During this time the raccoons are fed and watered. The family will have a better chance of survival together when we try to capture and keep a family together.
Relocated animals are released in another animals territory. The raccoon family must find other sources of food and water. They may also have to hide to avoid predators and fight for new territory. This is much harder if they are by themselves, and there is a chance that they may not survive. We strive to give every animal the best chances for survival.
For any further questions or concerns please call us at 901-598-8555. We are happy to help you solve your wildlife problems.
