BLOG | Hawkeye
News, little truths and wisdom regarding Pest Bird & Animal Wildlife Control, Falconry, and Birds of Prey....
How to Catch a Raccoon in a Live Trap
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Raccoons are known for their intelligence and dexterity, which can make them quite a challenge to catch. Whether you're dealing with a pesky raccoon rummaging through your trash or an unwelcome visitor in your attic, using a live trap is often the most humane and effective method for removal.
Let’s explore how to catch a raccoon in a live trap in a humane and efficient way.
Below, we outline some of the key factors that professionals consider when using live traps to remove raccoons from a property.
Seized raccoons from Kawartha Lakes facility *Update
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Back in September the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) obtained a permit to remove close to 100 raccoons that were being kept in a rehabilitation facility called “Mally’s Third Chance Raccoon Rescue”. *Our original Article here* The MNRF states that this charity violated the Provincial Wildlife Conservation Act and was not meeting their regulations as wildlife custodians; which is why the animals in their care were seized. Although Mally’s Raccoon Rescue wholly denies these allegations, there are certain aspects of the videos posted that don’t quite add up. What we are questioning is why did they have so many animals in their care, is housing so many animals together risking spread of disease, and why were kits being taken into custody at this time of year? There are many reasons why this raid may have happened and this article will help to explore those reasons.
In Ontario, the law for wildlife custodians states that “wildlife custodians are legally authorized to provide temporary care for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife so they can be returned to the wild.” The key word in this statement is temporary. This facility had close to 100 animals in captivity and many of the animals in the pictures seen, appear to be in perfectly stable condition to be released into the wild. Raccoons or other animals in captivity can easily become domesticated. This poses a large problem because they can become reliant on humans for food and shelter and become unable to survive on their own successfully. This leaves us to question if these animals are being kept in captivity longer than they should be? Also with so many animals housed together are they risking the spread of disease?
Read more: Seized raccoons from Kawartha Lakes facility *Update
How to Clean Raccoon Poop Safely and Effectively
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Cleaning raccoon poop is a whole different ballgame compared to picking up after your dog or cat. Raccoon poop carries a wealth of diseases that can lead to serious and fatal health risks to humans and domestic animals.
Raccoon poop might look a lot like the poop of a small dog but there are a few differences. It usually contains undigested food such as berries, seeds, and other foods. Raccoon poop is tubular shaped, two to three inches in length, dark in colour, and often has an overpowering odour.
How to Trap Raccoons That Are in Your Attic and Chimney
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night to strange noises coming from your attic or chimney? Odds are it’s not a ghost; rather, it’s probably raccoons looking for a comfortable place to rest during the cold winter months. Raccoons will stop at nothing to gain access to a warm, dry, and dark shelter such as an attic or chimney. And in the process, they can cause significant damage, as well as pose health hazards. That is why it is crucial to identify when a raccoon has made a home in your attic or chimney and take the required steps to remove them from your home.
How Do You Know if You Have Raccoons in Your Attic or Chimney?
If you hear strange noises coming from your attic, see tiny “handprints” on the ground outside your home, and/or discover dark, foul-smelling poop, these are all signs of a raccoon infestation in your home.
As raccoons can weigh an average of 15 pounds, you might hear thumping, stomping, or thrashing noises coming from your ceiling. Chittering like birds, snarls, growls, and grunts are also common noises raccoons will make to communicate or when fighting.
If you notice leaves, twigs, and insulation placed in piles or scattered throughout the attic, be weary. Raccoons will use these and other materials to build their nests. Any signs of holes or new openings in the roof or vents usually signify a raccoon has ripped apart a small gap to gain access to your attic.
Raccoons may also designate a latrine inside the attic or on the roof adjacent to where they gained entry. Evidence of raccoon poop and putrid odours from wet spots in the attic will be unmistakable. Raccoon poop is small and cylindrical in shape, much like that of a small dog.
Read more: How to Trap Raccoons That Are in Your Attic and Chimney
Do You Have Raccoons in Your Backyard? Risks, Prevention and Professional Solutions
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Raccoons can be pesky creatures that invade your space uninvited, so it's important to understand what risks they present and how you can prevent them from intruding. In this blog post, we'll discuss the dangers posed by these wild animals as well as what proactive measures you can take to protect your backyard.
Why Are There Raccoons in My Backyard?
The first step to successful raccoon control is understanding why raccoons are drawn to properties where humans and domestic animals live.
- Food sources including attractants such as compost piles, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and pet bowls can become an endless buffet for raccoons.
- Sheds, garages, and hollow spaced under decks can double as shelters for raccoons during inclement weather, when hiding from predators, and for pregnant raccoons.
- Dark backyards appeal to raccoons because they provide the perfect cover for movement and shelter.
- Water sources are a natural draw for raccoons, not only for their survival but because these creatures have a habit of washing their food. Water sources can include pet water bowls, fountains, and ponds.
- Unsealed trash cans left outside between garbage days are a main attraction for raccoons. They can even use their sharp claws and teeth to open closed lids.
- Raccoons will often dig through lawns in search of grubs and insects to eat
Read more: Do You Have Raccoons in Your Backyard? Risks, Prevention and Professional Solutions
How Can I Protect Myself from Common Raccoon Diseases?
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Raccoons aren’t as innocent as they look. Not only can they cause significant destruction to your home or property, but they also carry a variety of diseases that can be contracted by humans and domestic pets. Raccoon diseases can be contracted through scratches, bites, and through contact with raccoon poop and urine.
In this blog post, we will cover how common diseases carried by raccoons can be prevented and what symptoms to look out for should anyone come down with one of them.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Sick Raccoon?
It is important to note that while raccoons are considered nocturnal, they are frequently seen during daylight hours when searching for food and water. While most raccoons will avoid contact with humans, raccoons who feel threatened or are sick may attack in defense.
A sick raccoon may make strange sounds or show signs of difficulty walking, rough, matted fur, weight loss, aggression/fear, and/or hiding or staying in one place for long periods.
Read more: How Can I Protect Myself from Common Raccoon Diseases?
Why Should Toronto Residents Avoid Contact with Raccoons?
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Did you know that in the first five months of 2023, there were nearly 90 reported cases of raccoon bites and scratches in the City of Toronto? This represents a 117% increase compared to the average number of reported incidents between 2018-2022.
It’s no surprise that urban areas, like Toronto, provide raccoons with a consistent source of food and shelter. Now, with the winter months ahead, raccoons will become even more prevalent on the streets of Toronto as they look for a place to call home. As a result, they will likely venture farther from their usual habitat to find a cozy spot.
But be careful—with their cute little bandit masks and playful demeanor, raccoons may seem harmless. Make sure to keep your distance to avoid any potential encounters.
Read more: Why Should Toronto Residents Avoid Contact with Raccoons?
What Should You Do if You Have Raccoons in Your Attic During the Winter?
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Do you often hear raccoon sounds coming from your attic at night? You're not alone; many homeowners are surprised to find unexpected guests lurking in their homes during the winter. Raccoons are sly and intelligent creatures that can easily gain access to your home through gaps or holes in your roof, chimney, foundation, or siding and make a home in your attic during the colder months. While raccoons do not “hibernate” all season, they do settle in for a long rest where they feel secure from any predators or from being disturbed.
So, what should you do if you have raccoons occupying your attic during the winter months? In this blog post, we'll explore the best methods to remove them from your attic and provide some advice on how to prevent it from happening again.
Read more: What Should You Do if You Have Raccoons in Your Attic During the Winter?
How Can I Protect My Business from Raccoons in Toronto?
- Written by: Dan Frankian
If you own a business in Toronto, raccoons can be major pests. They've been known to rummage through garbage cans and dumpsters looking for food, rip open roofs and chimneys in search of shelter, and generally make a nuisance of themselves. While it may seem like they're just harmless creatures trying to survive, the damage they can do if left unchecked has the potential to cost your business plenty. Fortunately, when it comes to raccoon control in Toronto, there are some helpful steps you can take to protect your property from these unwanted visitors.
What Are the Dangers of Raccoons to My Business?
Raccoons are notorious for being adept at finding ways into buildings, raiding trash cans, and causing costly damage to structures such as roofs, electrical systems, and insulation thanks in large part to their sharp claws and teeth.
They can make their way through wood, plaster, drywall, roofing materials, and metal. Raccoons are also capable of disassembling and destroying ventilation systems and pipes to gain access to the interior of a building.
Moreover, raccoons are known carriers of diseases, such as rabies, leptospirosis, and salmonella, that can put your employees, customers, and products (especially in food-related businesses) at risk.
Why Is It Important to Protect My Business from Raccoons?
Once raccoons gain entry to a business’s structure, it quickly becomes their haven from cold temperatures, predators, and inclement weather. Raccoons seek shelter primarily for survival. In commercial buildings, this can include the chimney, the attic, a crawl space, and hidden areas under a patio or deck.
Aside from exterior damage, raccoons will tear away at interior walls, insulation, wires, and other objects to improve their new living space. When raccoons set up home on a business’s property, it increases the risk of interaction with humans, which can lead to serious consequences and health risks.
Read more: How Can I Protect My Business from Raccoons in Toronto?
Nearly 100 young raccoons seized from Rehabilitation Facility in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
- Written by: Dan Frankian
September 26th,2023
Nearly 100 juvenile raccoons were removed from a Rehabilitation Facility in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario.
According to news reports, these animals were orphaned kits, slated to be released into the wild after being cared for by Mally's Third Chance Raccoon Rescue. Long time wildlife advocate Dan Frankian questions the timing of the planned release - it is almost winter. What are the chances of survival for these young raccoons? How exactly have they been prepared for their return to the wild? Do they know how to find and secure a den for the winter months? Contrary to popular belief, raccoons do not hibernate. They enter a state of slowed metabolism, called torpor. Unlike hibernation, torpor only lasts a few weeks. After that, they will have to find food and shelter.
Perhaps the more dire question is: Why were there so many orphaned raccoons in one facility alone? How did they become orphaned? Were they housed separately? What safety measures were in place to prevent the spread of rabies?
It is heart breaking to think that all these kits were left to fend for themselves, but perhaps not all that surprising. Determined home owners using DIY devices and unlicensed trappers often end up catching a new mother/lactating raccoon, not realizing that taking her a kilometre away effectively orphans her offspring. Similarly, installing a one way door in an attic, will also separate the mother from her kits and sentence them to a slow and horrible death. Not to mention the stress to the mother, unable to reach and care for her young. In fact, the animals that ended up in Kawartha Lakes are considerably luckier than the vast amount of raccoon kits who starve to death.
Read more: Nearly 100 young raccoons seized from Rehabilitation Facility in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
How to Clean Up Raccoon Poop
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Dealing with raccoon poop might not be the most pleasant task, but it's a necessary one if you want to maintain a safe and healthy environment around your home!
Raccoon feces can carry harmful pathogens, including the eggs of the raccoon roundworm, which can pose serious health risks to humans and pets. That's why it's crucial to know how to clean up raccoon poop safely and effectively.
What Does Raccoon Poop Look Like?
Identifying raccoon poop is the first step in the cleanup process. Raccoon feces are usually about 2 to 3 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter. They’re dark in colour and often contain visible berries, seeds, or other undigested food.
Increased Coyote Encounters in Cities across Canada
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Burlington, Ontario is not the only city that has reported a noticeable increase in coyote sightings and interactions with residents. Coyote sightings are becoming a much more frequent occurrence in many urban centers across Canada.
Urban sprawl and the loss of habitat is often cited as the main reason for many previously shy and skittish critters boldly moving to the city. It makes sense; we continuously expand our living space into more rural areas and end up displacing wildlife in the process. But, we are in a rather unique time because of the last three years and COVID lockdowns.
During lockdowns, human traffic was way down, signaling to animals that people had vacated the outdoors and perhaps it was safe for them to reclaim territory. Parks and woodlands were free of playing children, joggers, hikers, and people playing outdoors. All was quiet. Many building projects came to a halt, leaving behind abandoned sites, perfect for denning and raising offspring.
On the other hand, those pesky humans (us) who were locked in their homes and craving contact and connection, delighted in seeing wildlife in their backyards and started leaving out food. Nature, and animals in particular, have a way of healing the soul. During a time when people felt isolated, alone, and disconnected, even just observing otherwise hard to spot wildlife, brought a bit of joy.
Read more: Increased Coyote Encounters in Cities across Canada