Raccoons: Masked, adorable and potentially dangerous
Raccoons are the most familiar little burglars in North America and Canada. Those bandit-masked mammals are common because they will eat anything, anywhere. They adapt well to any environment and are notably nocturnal. Raccoons will also live just about anywhere including trees, logs, and the attic spaces in our homes. All of these facts are things to consider when talking about raccoons being around our families. However, one of the most important facts to talk about is whether or not these adorable little bandits are dangerous to be around.Raccoons can be aggressive:
It’s not uncommon for a raccoon to be roaming your yard during the day even though they are nocturnal. Seeing them during the day can sometimes mean the females are foraging to bring enough food home for their babies. It’s also unusual for a raccoon to be aggressive towards humans. That doesn’t mean that they can’t be. When a raccoon does become aggressive it is mainly a female protecting her young. When the raccoon seems ill or disoriented and becomes aggressive, it can be determined that the raccoon is rabid.
Raccoons can carry diseases:
As adorable as they appear, raccoons have been known to carry diseases that can affect pets and humans. More specifically, small children who often go outside and play in the grass where they could be in contact with urine or feces from a raccoon can be subjected to diseases. There are four main diseases that can be spread by raccoons.
Raccoon Roundworm:
- Roundworm eggs can be passed through with their feces
- The eggs are light and can become airborne, which means they can be easily inhaled by pet and humans
- Can be fatal if gone untreated
- Can result in blindness or coma
- May experience fatigue; loss of muscle control, lack of coordination, loss of vision, and/or Coma
Leptospirosis:
- Bacterial Infection spread through urine and feces
- Usually contracted through open cuts and wounds that come in contact with the urine or feces
- May experience; nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, severe head and muscle aches, high fever, anemia, meningitis, kidney and liver failure
Salmonella:
- Bacterial disease contracted when humans come in contact with the feces
- Can stay dormant in a dry environment for a long time
- Can cause high fever; severe diarrhea, and abdominal pain
Rabies:
- A viral disease contracted by a scratch or bite from an infected animal, including raccoons
- Life-threatening if untreated
- Best to avoid animals of any kind who are stumbling; foaming at the mouth, violent, fearless to humans, and/or attacking objects or pets
- Symptoms usually don’t show up for 2-4 weeks after being scratched or bitten, immediate treatment is suggested
So, how do you avoid these and other diseases spread by raccoons? Avoid contact with them and do your best to avoid them making contact with your property. Do not pick up, handle or clean the raccoon or its feces without protection. The best advice in this situation though, is to let the professionals handle it.
There are many wildlife removal companies all over the world who are specially trained to properly handle these situations. Liddle Rascals specializes in wildlife removal in the Toronto, Canada area. We are fully insured and that includes any damages caused by the animal. We remove the animal in the most humane ways possible while still keeping everyone safe. If you have a raccoon problem or any wildlife problem in the Toronto area, then you need to contact Liddle Rascals and let us keep you and the animal safe.
Do you need raccoons removed from your property? Liddle Rascals Wildlife Control Inc., can remove unwanted raccoons and other animal and wildlife from residential, commercial and industrial properties.
We are located in Scarborough, Ontario and service most cities and towns within the Greater Toronto Area.
Expert Skunk and Wildlife Removal in the Greater Toronto Area
We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call us at (416) 356-5886 or contact us online.
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