Winter Raccoon Removal
Though it seemed like it took a while for winter to get started here in Northeast Ohio, there’s no denying its here now.
It’s been very cold lately and there’s been some real blasts of snow too!
Although winter typically sees a decrease in the number of calls for raccoon removal here in the Stark/Summit/Portage County area, customers continue to experience raccoon problems all winter long.
Raccoons do not hibernate. Though slowed down on occasion, raccoons will be in and out of their dens throughout the winter months eating and breeding: biological basics.
The difference with winter raccoon removal is that there will be periods of inactivity. During the coldest spells (like the past few days) raccoons usually stay tucked in their den of choice conserving energy.
Successful raccoon removers this time of year are patient and watchful of the weather. When the weather breaks, the raccoons are on the move prompting the experienced trapper to be ready.
Warm-Up Means Raccoon Movement
To illustrate this point here are a couple of videos. The first is from earlier this month. And the other is from a few years ago.
Both illustrate the interplay of raccoons and cold weather.
Here is the older video:
These videos illustrate that weather definitely impacts raccoon movement and the effort to remove them from homes this time of year.
Northeast Ohio Raccoons in Winter
Much raccoon movement in late January through February is related to:
- The availability of food
- Breeding activity
If food is easily available (i.e.- a restaurant dumpster gets filled each night) raccoons will remain very active as they will always come out on top of the calories in / calories out equation.
But if food is more scarce and the raccoons had put on a heavy layer of fat prior to winter, they may be willing to stay in and conserve energy for longer periods of time.
There are no hard and fast rules, only generalizations. Movement is related to the availability of food, the warmth of the den, and the conditions outside.
If not food, what else would get raccoons out and about on cold winter nights? You guessed it, mating season.
Most mating among Ohio raccoons occurs in February and March. As the days lengthen (despite the cold) male raccoons sense the breeding season is just around the corner. When hormones dictate their activity, it seems they don’t mind the weather so much.
Biologists agree that breeding season can begin as early as late January here in Ohio. So even during some of the coldest times of the year, the male raccoons are pushed outside by biological imperatives to locate females.
Scouting forays to locate nearby females are common because the “winner”, in a biological sense, won’t let some snow and cold stand in his ways. Hormones often trump comfort.
January Raccoon Removal | Akron, Canton, Kent OH Area
The key to raccoon removal success during cold weather then is to have patience: something easier said than done for homeowners who want a raccoon out of the house and a raccoon remover who wants to finish the job.
Raccoons do move quite a bit for food and breeding although the winter weather sometimes limits their activity.
But, as long as the traps are in place when the raccoons move, the problem does get solved.
