Raccoon Removal: Mothers and Kits
For the last two to three weeks we’ve been getting calls to remove raccoons- mothers with kits- from clients’ homes here in the Akron, Canton, and Kent area.
Raccoons will continue giving birth through April and into May. And, some later births are not unheard of either, as first litters may be lost or young female raccoons born late last year are bred.
During this prime period of raccoon birthing, typical spots where raccoons are found in our clients’ homes are chimneys, fireplaces, attics, and soffits.
But, we’ve also found raccoons with kits in more unusual spots like basement ceilings and boxes in the garage.
Pregnant mother raccoons and mother raccoons with kits sometimes pose a removal challenge when they choose spots for the nest that are not typical.
And, as is often the case, females with kits are more wary than normal and, thereby, present some challenges too.
A key to successful raccoon removal for challenging raccoon problems is to adjust techniques.
This week we highlight a technique that isn’t used too often: catching the animal by hand with a catch pole. This technique can be very effective when the situation calls for it.
Another Technique: The Catch Pole
Day in and day out, our standard way of catching raccoons is with live traps that look like boxes.
It is fair to say that we catch most of our raccoons this way.
But, an example of an adaptive technique we sometimes have to employ, especially this time of year, is the use of a catch pole.
A catch pole is a tool that has a cable loop which goes around an animal’s neck and is integrated into a pole which keeps the animal away from the catcher. (We use the Ketch-All brand that can be viewed here). Dog wardens often use poles like this to get canines into their trucks.
Using it requires the catcher to get close to the animal, loop it, and then hang on; controlling the animal and getting it into a cage.
It is a very “hands-on” technique.
But, it is sometimes the go-to technique when wayward raccoons are in people’s homes are need out now!
It is a technique used when it is determined that setting the standard box trap and waiting is not the best course of action; usually because the mother raccoon is in the living space of a client, not just a wall or attic or soffit.
This inability to wait it out with a trap is one of the challenges that birthing raccoons present- as mother raccoons sometimes move in and give birth in odd spaces.
Such a case can be seen in the following video.
In this case, the raccoon got into the ceiling of the basement and gave birth there. It had the run of one joist space and access to the basement because the ceiling was not completely in tact. The ceiling was open at a less finished part of the basement and there was an opening in the middle of the basement where the raccoon actually comes out.
Because the raccoon had open access to the basement proper, this is a raccoon that needs out now. Thus, it is a good option to forego the usual live trap and use the catch pole.
Needless to say, this technique provides for some excitement for the pro animal remover operating the catch pole and the homeowner who’s hearing it all upstairs.
Here’s another raccoon that decided to nest in a box in the garage. It’s not very happy with Ryan and is willing to defend its turf.
Raccoon Removal for Stark, Summit, and Portage Counties
If a raccoon has decided to move into your living quarters and give birth, consider contacting us for professional raccoon removal.
We might get them out in a traditional manner or employ a more hands-on approach depending on the situation.
Whatever the raccoon problem is, we have the experience, tools, and persistence to solve the problem: Even if it gets a little tricky.
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