Many people find raccoons to be adorable animals, but when it comes to having them around your Long Island, New York property, they aren’t such a welcome sight. These mammals are also surrounded by many misconceptions including the fact that many people assume they are large rodents. Raccoons are actually part of a genus called Procyon and aren’t rodents at all.

They can still become a pest problem when they live in and around homes and businesses. They tend to sleep in large holes in trees or other dens, and they will sometimes make these dens in attics, crawlspaces, barns, and sheds if the opportunity arises.

Raccoons are resourceful creatures that come around in search of food or shelter, and they are also one of the most common wildlife problems in the area. Raccoons are known for the mask-like markings around their eyes, but you can also identify them by their black and white ringed tails. They have grayish color fur and a stocky build, and can grow up to about three feet in length.

Raccoons are an interesting case because some people assume they are completely friendly and not a threat while others assume they are all aggressive and ridden with rabies. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. While raccoons aren’t generally aggressive, they will defend themselves and their dens.

It is true that they can carry rabies as well as other diseases including raccoon ringworm. They are also known to spread ticks and fleas, and these parasites can transmit other illnesses including Lyme disease and Bubonic plague.

Because of these factors, it’s never a great idea to try to remove raccoons on your own as removal attempts are when you’re most likely to be bitten. If you do find raccoons around your property, it’s important to get professional help to remove them.

While the easiest and safest way to remove raccoons is with professional assistance, there are some steps you can take to prevent them in the future. The overall best way to keep raccoons away is to reduce the factors around your property that attract them, including:

• Cover all trash cans with secure lids and remove trash from around your property.
• Make it more difficult for raccoons to get indoors by sealing up access points around sheds, garages, and other outbuildings.
• Store any pet food indoors and remove bird feeders.
• Install lattice around porches to keep raccoons out.
• When eating outside, make sure to clean up any food or drink spills right away.

Instead of putting your health and safety at risk, the best thing to do if you encounter raccoons is to contact the experts at Wildlife Removal NY. We specialize in Long Island wildlife removal, and we have years of experience dealing with raccoons specifically as they are such a common issue.

At Wildlife Removal NY, we use the tried-and-true WICE method of removing animals which involves identifying wildlife, inspecting your property, cleaning the area, and examining the damage, and preventing more in the future. We even offer free estimates to make it easy to get started. Give us a call or send us a message online to learn more or book your visit.

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