ARE THERE RACCOONS IN YOUR HOUSE?
Raccoons are one of the most common wildlife species that residents of Michigan will encounter in their homes. They often nest in attics and chimneys, and will also make use of areas under porches or sheds.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
There are a few signs that you can look for to determine whether you have unwanted tenants in your home.
ENTRY POINT
If raccoons are in your home, they will need an opening to be able to get in through. Look for gaps or holes that are large enough to fit a baseball. Raccoons can also enter homes through vents and chimney flues.
Sometimes these can be difficult to find on your own, be we can help you with that.
NOISES
When a raccoon is in an attic, people often describe hearing noises like someone is walking above the ceiling. They will also do a bit of scratching as they rearrange your insulation to make a bed.
If there are multiple animals, they will sometimes talk to each other. This can be growling, but is often chirps or chattering. Raccoon babies are often mistaken for birds by their vocalizations.
SCRATCHES AND DIRT SMEARS
If a raccoon is climbing onto your roof, it will often leave a trail. Scratch marks can be seen on siding corners or wooden posts. Dirty smears may be noticed along a gutter downspout.
If they are accessing the roof from a brick chimney or a tree, less evidence will be noticeable.
RACCOON DISEASES
Raccoons can carry diseases and parasites, which can be passed to you or your pets. Here are the most common ones to be aware of in Michigan.
CANINE DISTEMPER
If you see a raccoon out in the middle of the day acting lethargic or drunk, than it likely has distemper. Distemper in raccoons is often mistaken for rabies. According to the DNR, there has not been a recorded case of a raccoon with rabies in Michigan for more than 30 years.
These animals should not be approached as they can still become violent. It is best to call a professional to remove the animal from your property so that it can be humanely dispatched.
There is no cure for distemper and it is fatal. Talk with your vet about available distemper vaccines for your domestic animals. If your dog or cat encounters a sick raccoon, contact your vet.
ROUNDWORMS
Just like many other wild animals, raccoons often carry worms. This is not always fatal and does not necessarily affect the normal temperament of the animal. It can however be passed to your pets or anyone who is exposed to their feces.
FLEAS AND TICKS
Many mammals carry ectoparasites like fleas and ticks. If allowed to persist these affect your entire household, not just dogs and cats.
WHAT TO DO
If you have raccoons in your home, or think that you might, the best thing to do is to contact a professional to get rid of them for you.
Aside from making noises, raccoons will also cause damage to the home if allowed to stay. They compress insulation and remove it from some areas, decreasing the efficiency of your heating and cooling. They will also set up latrine sites where they will defecate and urinate, which can cause smells among other issues.
The sooner that you can get them out of your home, the better off you will be.