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Raccoons are fluffy, cute, and often lumped into the same harmless category as neighborhood cats and dogs. This is a problem.
Even though we inhabit similar territories, raccoons are wild animals, and must be treated as such. Dealing with a raccoon problem without the help of a professional is risky.
Here are some of the dangers of trying to tackle this job yourself:
Disease
Raccoons are dangerous because they can carry diseases easily transferrable to humans. Rabies, which attacks the central nervous system in humans, can be transmitted from infected animals by biting or scratching. Raccoons with this disease tend to be rabid and aggressive, increasing the chance of an attack on a human.
Salmonella bacteria, which, when ingested by human beings, causes a high fever, diarrhea, and severe cramping, can be found in the stool of raccoons.
Through their feces, raccoons can also excrete roundworm eggs. These eggs pose a serious health risk to humans. Once ingested, the microscopic larvae hatch in the intestines, eventually migrating to the bloodstream. A human infected with this parasite can present symptoms of lost vision, muscle control, and an enlarged liver.
Safety
While some raccoons fear humans, others are much bolder. Young males, or mothers with kits (young raccoons,) are more likely to approach you, either out of curiosity or to protect their young.
Without the right trapping equipment, you are at risk of scaring or angering the animal, increasing your chances of an attack. In tight or precarious spaces, like in an attic or up on a ladder, the animal’s unpredictable behavior puts you at risk of injury or a fall.
You are also putting the raccoon at risk. A mother may have pups hiding somewhere, and if you remove or accidentally kill her, her pups will likely die as a result. Without proper knowledge of trapping equipment or deterring chemicals, you run the risk of injury a raccoon or accidentally poisoning a family member or pet.
Incomplete Job
Hiring a professional ensures that all raccoons are removed from the premises. If you are tackling the job yourself, how will you know when the job is done? You may think you got rid of them all, only to hear a furry creature scuttle out of its hiding spot in your attic late at night.
Disposal
Getting rid of an animal carcass is a job reserved for professionals. There are certain precautions that must be taken when disposing of a carcass—you can’t just toss it into your back lane dumpster.
Contact with a dead animal puts you, your family, and your pets at risk. Hiring a professional will ensure that the animal is disposed of safely and humanely.
If you are dealing with a raccoon problem, it is always safest to hire a professional. The experts at Raider Wildlife Control can help. For more information, contact us today.
