Raccoons are very intelligent and curious animals. These qualities have made it very easy for them to survive in the wild and around our homes. On top of being intelligent and curious, they have a pair of highly dexterous hands that allow them to cause all sorts of mischief as they search for food. Due to a large amount of misinformation out there, A-Tex Pest Management busts some common myths about raccoons below.
Do Raccoons Hibernate in Winter?
This is probably the biggest myth surrounding raccoons. When food becomes scarce and cold temperatures set in, many animals will go into hibernation, but raccoons will stay active throughout the year due to a unique trait. Raccoons go into a state of torpor. Torpor is a state where the body temperature is lowered, and an animal will sleep for long periods of time. The difference between torpor and hibernation is that raccoons will wake up and venture out on warm days to look for food.
Are Raccoons Nocturnal or Crepuscular?
While raccoons are mostly active at night, they will come out during the day in certain situations. If you do see one during the day, it’s not necessarily suffering from rabies. That’s another myth. Females might forage for food during the day. Even if a raccoon isn’t rabid, you should still stay away from it because they are unsanitary and can transfer bacteria and disease.
Do Raccoons Wash Their Food?
Have you ever seen a raccoon dipping their food in the water before they eat it? You may think they are washing it, but they aren’t. Raccoons have front paws that are very sensitive to touch and a large part of their brain is linked to the senses in those paws. Raccoons will dip their food in water and then roll it in their hands so they can recognize possible food sources.
Raccoons as Pests
Raccoons might be cute, but you don’t want them around your home. Even though raccoons prefer areas with trees and a source of water, they will come onto your property looking for both. You will know raccoons have been on your property if you discover your lawn or mulch has a lot of holes in it. Raccoons will dig holes looking for insects to eat. Raccoon tracks are different than the tracks of most other four-toed animals in that they have five toes. They will also eave feces at the base of trees, on logs or big rocks, on piles of wood, or on the roof and in the attic. Raccoons will also cause damage as they can create holes in siding, rip off boards and shingles and damage soffits and vent louvers. If they get into your attic, they will cause all sorts of damage as they rip up insulation chew on wires. They will use your attic as a bathroom; accumulated urine is not only smelly it can leak through the ceiling below.
Wildlife Inspections, Control & More in Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park & Austin Texas
Do you think you have raccoons rummaging around your home? Contact A-Tex Pest Management for help. We have been working with homeowners to safely and responsibly remove nuisance wildlife like raccoons. Give us a call today!