Are you having problems with raccoons stealing cat food in Bartlett TN? Raccoons are omnivorous animals. This means they like to eat plants and meat. Most animals that eat plants and meat are opportunistic animals. In general, they will eat whatever they can get their hands on. This is why you will see them in the trash, and also berries and vegetables. Yes, this does include raccoons stealing and eating your dog and cat food as well.
What Types Of Food Do Raccoons Eat?
The main diet of a raccoon is nuts, berries, insects, rodents, plants, frogs, eggs, and other small rodents. This is of course if they are in the wild. They may stray from these food sources when other sources are more abundant. If they are living near suburban areas it is much easier to dig through our trash and get leftovers. It is even better when they find a bowl of dog or cat food right on a platter for them! There is almost nothing that a raccoon won’t eat.
Raccoons are often the biggest cause of problems in suburban areas. They are extremely smart and have hand-shaped paws that can allow them to open almost anything. The best way to deter raccoons is to make sure they don’t’ have a reason to be there. Make sure your trash can is locked up tight or put away until the morning the trash collector comes. Do not leave food out near open windows. To learn more about raccoon removal in Bartlett TN, click here.
Raccoons Eating Cat And Dog Food?
If you eat outside on your patio, make sure you clean up any leftovers. Also, make sure that no food was dropped on the ground and left behind. Dog and cat food needs to be kept inside. If you have to feed your animals outside make sure you clean up any pieces that may have been dropped. If raccoons smell any food in the area they will come looking for it. Once they find a good source of food they will want to make a home close by. This is often in someone’s attic.
Raccoons will climb on roofs and chew holes in your eaves to get into the attic. They do this so they can find a safe and quiet spot to nest. This can lead to other structural damage on the inside and outside of your home.
Possible Health Concerns When Raccoons Don’t Leave
If raccoons are in the area to stay, you may start to see a lot of fecal droppings. This could be in your attic or your yard, depending on where they decide to stay. This is extremely unsanitary and can cause several health concerns. The main concern is a disease you can get from coming into contact with the fecal droppings called Baylisascaris.
This is a disease that comes from roundworm eggs in the fecal matter. The roundworms live in the raccoon’s intestines. This is not harmful to raccoons, but it is very harmful to humans and other animals, creating neurological damage. Symptoms can include tiredness, lack of attention to surroundings, fatigue, and an enlarged liver. Also, a loss of coordination, lack of muscle control, blindness, and coma can occur. These symptoms can start to show anywhere between 1 and 4 weeks after contact. You should go to the doctor immediately if you start to display any of these symptoms.
Raccoon Fecal Cleanup And Deodorization
Apex Wildlife Control has fecal cleaning and deodorization services should you need help. It is
very important to use the correct equipment to safely clean up fecal droppings. Safety goggles, suits, gloves, respirators, and cleaning supplies are needed for your protection. Call us if you see feces or urine stains in your attic. We can clean it up so your family and pets don’t have to worry about getting sick.
Types Of Bait We Use If You Have Raccoons Stealing Cat Food In Bartlett TN
There are certain baits we use to attract each species. Raccoons love cat and dog food. However, if there are domestic animals around we have to use a different bait. Often, we will use baits such as marshmallows or Twizzlers. This is a sweet bait that dogs and cats won’t enjoy.
Once all of their food sources have been removed they should move on. There are times when this is not enough and they have already settled down and made a home. This is when our company comes in to help with the relocation of the raccoons. We have live traps that are harmless to the animals and any other animals that may get in them. Live cage traps are used to prevent unwanted harm to domestic animals.
Do You Have A Family Of Raccoons?
It is good to know if there is more than one raccoon that we are trapping. This information helps us determine the number of traps needed. For families of raccoons, we set the same number of traps out so we can catch the whole family together. The technicians will always relocate family members together if possible.
We even go as far as to hold the raccoon for a day or two. During this time we feed and water them. The reason we try to keep a family together is that they have a better chance of survival together. When relocating animals, you are putting them in another animals territory. This causes the raccoons to find another food and water source. They may also have to either fight for territory or avoid the other predators and hide. If they are by themselves, this is much harder and they may not survive. We like to give every animal the best chance of survival.
For any further questions or concerns please call us at 901-598-8555 and let us help you solve your wildlife problems.
