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Wildlife Removal, Inc.
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Why do Raccoons Eat Trash?
Raccoons are well-known for being expert dumpster divers. But, why do these little bandits frequent our trash cans? Raccoons, especially in urban areas, love to jump in or knock over trash cans for food. This article will explore why raccoons scavenge through our garbage, and how to reduce the risk of them making a mess in your bins.
In the wild, raccoons have a diverse, omnivorous diet. They will hunt for fish, frogs, insects, small rodents, and bird eggs. They can eat a variety of plants, including wild berries and nuts. However, a raccoon in the countryside may have to travel up to 15 miles to find sufficient food.
Raccoons that live in urban areas can find bountiful meals in the trash. Because of this, they may only have to travel up to a ¼ mile to find enough food. While urban areas pose their own challenges, such as dodging cars and avoiding humans, food can be found almost anywhere.
Raccoons are not picky eaters, so they will feast on pretty much anything in your trash can, as long as it isn’t spoiled. Despite being scavenging creatures, raccoons tend to avoid rotten food unless absolutely necessary. Raccoons will eat plant and meat scraps they can find. They can easily dig through other items in the trash to get to the food scraps.
Raccoons can make quite a large mess in order to get the food in your trash bin. To avoid cleaning up after these pesky dumpster divers, there are a few ways you can secure your trash bins. First, consider investing in animal-proof bins. Raccoon-proof bins with locking covers can reduce the risk of wild animals eating your garbage and making a mess. If you live in an area with bears, you may want to consider going a step further and investing in bear-proof trash cans.
Securing your bins can be a good way to limit mealtime at your trash cans. If your bins do not have locking lids, consider using a bungee cord to secure the tops. Because raccoons like to knock over cans, consider tying them to your fence when not out on the curb. Raccoons can scare easy, and do not like bright light. Motion sensor flood lights by your garbage pails can scare these critters away.
If there is a raccoon in your trash, do not approach or corner it. Raccoons can attack if they feel threatened. Instead, make loud noises from afar. Often, this will be enough to scare it off. If the raccoon does not leave, move away safely and call a humane animal removal specialist. Do not engage the raccoon. Raccoons can carry a number of diseases, including rabies. If you or a loved one is attacked by a raccoon, wash the wound with soap and warm water, and seek medical attention.
We specialize in the humane removal of raccoons, opossums, and other pests in the New York/New Jersey area. For a complete inspection and evaluation please contact us or call us at 718-962-0376 and we will be happy to make an appointment at your convenience.
Does My Attic Need Repairs After Animal Exclusion?After an animal lives in your attic, it will probably need some major repairs and clean up. If your home was invaded by raccoons, bats, squirrels, or other critters; you may need some serious work. Animals can create several issues that need to be addressed, from contamination to fire hazards.
When wild animals are removed from your attic, it is vital to find entry points and repair them immediately. If left open, these entryways can allow other animals to move right in.
Everybody poops, and the pests living in your attic are no exception. Wild animals can be the host to an array of bacteria and parasites that can be expelled via fecal matter. This waste can seep through the attic floor or flow into your air ducts, which can harm you and your family’s health. Professional waste removal is an important step in keeping your family safe after an exclusion.
Pests, like rats, have oily fur that can stain surfaces in your home. This can ruin surfaces in your home and is commonly seen around entry points used by the pests. Additionally, these stains have been known to attract other pests, as they mark potential points of entry for other critters.
Wild animals may cause further damage to make a nest, or even to travel throughout your home. They may gnaw on support beams or scratch up wooden surfaces. Rodents like rats, mice, and squirrels like to burrow through fiberglass insulation to go into the walls. This can create drafts and cause your energy bills to rise.
Items stored in the attic are often damaged or destroyed by pest animals. They usually dig through boxes and bags for scraps of cloth or paper to built nests. This can ruin stored items. These items may be soiled by urine or waste from the animals as well. Proper disposal of damaged or soiled items is essential to cleaning up your home after exclusion.
New York/New Jersey Wildlife Removal Inc.offers repair and clean up services for homes and businesses after wild animal exclusion. For more information regarding our cleaning and repair services, click here.
We specialize in the humane removal of birds, rats, and other pests in the New York/New Jersey area. For a complete inspection and evaluation please contact us or call us at 718-962-0376 and we will be happy to make an appointment at your convenience.
Home Protection in the Fall
As the Summer comes to a close, it is important to prepare your home for the Fall season. It is important to maintain your home, to prevent pests from moving onto your property. In the Fall and Winter, many pest animals, such as raccoons and squirrels, look for a warm place to outlast the cold weather. Unfortunately, your home could be prime real estate for a lot of critters.
The gutters on your home can get easily filled and blocked by fallen leaves in Autumn. This can weigh down your gutters and damage the eaves of your home. These cracks and damage can, in turn, create an entryway for pest animals such as mice or squirrels. Gutter damage can give these animals access to the attic or the spaces within your walls.
Your shed or garage can provide pest animals with a dry, weather-proof shelter for the Winter months. It is important to inspect your shed or garage to make sure that there aren’t any potential entry points for wild animals. Cracks in the walls or damage to the doors can be exploited by pest animals. Mice and rats can squeeze through extremely small spaces, as wide as a dime. Your shed should have secure, sturdy doors that can withstand winter weather, as well as potential damage from critters.
Your roof can often be a major source of problems with pests because you probably don’t look at it too often. Usually, homeowners only notice roof damage when leaks cause interior damage. Rooftop inspections can help reduce future damage to your home while reducing the chances of a pest animal roosting your attic.
Debris in the yard, such as piles of branches and sticks, can provide partial shelter for a variety of pests. And, when hidden by snowfall, yard debris can create a potential source of injury on your property. Yard debris should be cleaned up as soon as possible, to prevent injury or unwanted wildlife.
We specialize in the humane removal of birds, rats, and other pests in the New York/New Jersey area. For a complete inspection and evaluation please contact us or call us at 718-962-0376 and we will be happy to make an appointment at your convenience.
Birds in the ChimneyBirds love to roost in high places, and your chimney can be a great place for them. Unfortunately, this can create issues for you in the future. While you are unlikely to use your chimney in the summer, you may have to clear out nests and debris when winter is on the horizon. Birds chirping in your chimney can become a nuisance, especially early in the morning Clearing out your bird problem in the summer can make your life easier down the road.
Nesting Birds and Chimneys
Birds can create nests inside or on top of the chimneys. Bird feces and debris from the nests can dirty up the chimney shoot. If nests are inside the chimney, it can damage or lock up the flue. Larger birds may even block the entire chimney, which can fill your house with smoke. Bird feces can also put you and your family in close proximity to diseases and bacteria they may be carrying.
Trapped Birds
Sometimes, a bird may become trapped within your chimney. Not all birds have the ability to move vertically up the chimney. When a bird is trapped, it should be removed quickly, and safely. You should call a licensed, humane, wildlife professional to take care of the bird.
Preventing Animals from Entering Your Chimney
Screens are key to excluding animal intruders from taking up residence in your chimney. Chimney screens can help prevent birds, raccoons, squirrels, rats, and more from entering your home.
We specialize in the humane removal of birds, rats, and other pests in the New York/New Jersey area. For a complete inspection and evaluation please contact us or call us at 718-962-0376 and we will be happy to make an appointment at your convenience.
Raccoons Under the DeckWhen you have a raccoon, or a family of them, living under your deck, you may not want to make full use of your outdoor space. Raccoons can be a nuisance and can make entertaining outdoors problematic.
Removing a raccoon living under your deck is important in ensuring the safety of your family. A raccoon living in close proximity to the home, such as under the deck, raises your family’s risk of injury. This is especially true for children and pets, which may go under the deck or provoke the raccoon. When cornered, raccoons may bite or scratch, and can carry rabies among other diseases. Professional, humane removal of these raccoons is the best way to take back your backyard.
Raccoon removal is just the first step. Proper exclusion is important to preventing other pest animals from taking the place of your current unwanted resident. We specialize in repairs and protective measures to prevent pest animals like raccoons from getting back under your deck. Our team identifies access points and repairs them to reduce the risk of having additional pest problems in the future.
We specialize in the humane removal of raccoons, opossums, and other pests in the New York/New Jersey area. For a complete inspection and evaluation please contact us or call us at 718-962-0376 and we will be happy to make an appointment at your convenience.
AC damage from Wild AnimalsIt can be hard to deal with the summer heat without your AC. Unfortunately, AC ducts can be a good place for wild animals to hide out in. This article will explore the ways that wildlife can break into your ducts, and the type of damage they can cause.
Rats, mice, raccoons, and more can find their way into your duct work, one way or the other. What’s worse, they may even set up camp. When an animal dens in your duct work, your AC can blow all sorts of smells and disease-ridden particles through your home. Scat, urine, fur, smells, and more can blow through your ducts and out into the rest of the home. Your air filters can only stop so much.
While nesting in your HVAC ducts can be a problem, a dead animal can be worse. It is not uncommon for animals to seek shelter in which to pass away. A dead animal in your ducts can create many of the above problems, while also bringing with it the stench of death and decay.
Some animals, like mice and rats, can gnaw their way through ducts, or their sealants.This can create gaps for air to flow out. Ultimately, this will lead to drafts, inefficient air flow, and wasted energy.
Most central air systems have an outdoor unit on the ground or roof. Snakes, birds, and rodents can use this as a potential den. This can create issues such as damaged fan blades, debris in your unit, and more. Wild animals could damage evaporators or refrigerant systems within the unit, which could have severe consequences for the life of your central air system.
We specialize in the humane removal of snakes, rats, and other pests in the New York New Jersey area. For a complete inspection and evaluation please contact us or call us at 718-962-0376 and we will be happy to make an appointment at your convenience.
Moles in Your GardenMoles are pesky diggers. They love to tunnel through lawns and wreak havoc on your garden. Moles will dig small tunnels that can snake across your property and beyond
Moles have short grey fur and grow to be about 18 cm in length. Their tails are short and hairless. Moles dig holes that are not too deep underground, less than a foot below. Mounds and ridges on the surface of the ground can help reveal where the tunnels are. These mounds will have a volcano-like structure to them.
Moles dig very fast for their size, and can tunnel through about 6 meters of dirt per hour. The average mole tunnel complex can support up to about 12 moles living inside. This means that it can be difficult to ensure that a mole problem is dealt with completely, unless done by a professional. Mole tunnels generally sit deeper in the ground than voles, usually about 10-12 inches below the surface.
Moles will eat worms, bugs, and seeds within the ground, but will generally not eat plant roots or bulbs. They will eat bugs that can be helpful to gardens, such as earthworms. While they usually won’t bother garden plants, it can be hard to effectively seed while they are around, as they may eat newly planted seeds.
We specialize in the humane removal of groundhogs, squirrels, and other pests in the New York New Jersey area. For a complete inspection and evaluation please contact us or call us at 718-962-0376 and we will be happy to make an appointment at your convenience.
Rattlesnakes in New YorkIt can be easy to think of rattlesnakes in a desert setting. After all, many movies use the signature rattlesnake rattle to set the scene of a desert landscape. But rattlesnakes are one of the most common venomous snakes in America, with a number of different subspecies spread across the country. The Timber Rattlesnake is common across most of the east coast, and going as far west as Texas. It is one of three venomous snakes found in the New York area.
Rattlesnakes are a danger to those who get bit, but they often give plenty of warning before they strike. Timber rattlesnakes, like their desert-dwelling cousins, have a signature “rattle” on the end of their tails. This allows them to warn potential threats and scare them off before they strike. This rattle helps humans avoid contact, when they know to stay away. Rattlesnakes have other physical identifiers. They, like most venomous snakes, have triangular-shaped heads. Rattlesnakes are spotted, and the timber rattlesnake will sport colors ranging from black to brown to tan.
Rattlesnake venom is potent, and the Timber Rattlesnake is known to pump a large amount into their prey in a single bite. Because of this, they can be very deadly. However, because of their mild temperament, they give plenty of warning time before they strike. Because of this, it is an often avoidable scenario, and few fatalities are reported yearly.
The best way to prevent a snake bite is to listen to it’s warnings, and avoid it. Do not provoke any snake, venomous or not. Luckily, Timber Rattlesnakes are very mild in temperament, and will usually only bite when provoked. They will usually give ample warning before striking.
If you or a loved one is bitten by a rattlesnake, go to the hospital immediately. If your pet is bitten, take them to the vet. There is no real solution in the field for a venomous snakebite, just go to a hospital. In a hospital, you can be assessed properly, and administered the proper antivenom. Do not attempt to suck out the venom. That is dangerous and ineffective. Keep the wound below heart level, and await the ambulance or drive them to the hospital.
If there is a rattlesnake on your property, avoid it and call a humane wildlife removal service. Do not attempt to trap or kill a snake yourself, even for identification purposes after someone is bitten; as this is not necessary.
We specialize in the humane removal of snakes, rats, and other pests in the New York New Jersey area. For a complete inspection and evaluation please contact us or call us at 718-962-0376 and we will be happy to make an appointment at your convenience.
What Squirrels do for the EnvironmentOne of the major reasons people call a humane wildlife removal service is because we understand that little critters can be a pest indoors. But we also understand that they benefit the environment and the local ecosystem. It can be easy to think of squirrels as nothing more than fluffy little beasts that just want acorns. But, they also play an important role in protecting forests. Urban squirrels can be a pain, but they can really help the environment after relocation.
If squirrels love anything more than nuts, it’s hiding them for later. However, they are also quite forgetful creatures. They love to forage for nuts and berries, but will often forget where they store their snacks. They will often bury a pile of nuts, and then promptly forget about it to forage anew. Their forgetful nature helps new trees to sprout and grow. These buried nuts are brought by squirrels to open patches of earth, and they use their paws to till the soil. This helps the seeds have a healthy place to start growing.
Truffles can grow symbiotically with trees, but naturally occur underground, and away from vegetation. After squirrels dig up and eat truffles, they poop them out closer to trees. The truffle spores can then connect with a tree more easily. Truffles help keep a connected tree healthy.
We at New York/New Jersey Wildlife Removal understand the value that squirrels have to our environment; as well as the destruction that they can cause to a home. We specialize in the safe and humane removal of squirrels; as well as cleaning up any waste or damage they leave behind.
We specialize in the humane removal of squirrels, raccoons, and other pests in the New York New Jersey area. For a complete inspection and evaluation please contact us or call us at 718-962-0376 and we will be happy to make an appointment at your convenience.
Animals in the TrashTrash bins provide a source of food for hungry critters, and a source of anger for homeowners who have to clean up from their meals. This article will explore how to identify what animals are snacking on your trash, and how to prevent them from becoming return customers.
Raccoons are tricky little trash bandits. They love to climb into dumpsters and knock over pails. Raccoons will dig through trash and can spread garbage and debris out to find the best scraps. They can use walls, poles, and trees to gain access to trash cans and dumpsters from above. They can also knock them over from the ground. A good indicator would be claw marks in plastic pails.
Skunks like to knock over pails and munch on scraps. Skunks are not as adept as raccoons at climbing, with long nails that are better at digging than gripping. They tend to bump into trash cans to knock them over, and may claw at the lid to get it off. Skunks can tear through softer plastic trash bins, but will prefer to knock them over if possible. Skunk claw marks, or their distinctive musk can help indicate that they are the source of your trash problem.
Opossums are not adept at getting into trash cans, but will often forage bins that raccoons and skunks knock over. They will often clean up scraps left behind by other animals. Their omnivorous diet mainly consists of mice, rats, and bugs such as slugs and ticks. Because they don’t really have the ability to access trash themselves, they often focus on their more natural food sources. Even in areas of NYC where garbage bags are left on curbs, opossums are more likely to forage in parks and gardens than scavenge in trash.
Squirrels are not well known for dumpster diving, but it is not uncommon. Squirrels may scrounge through trash for nesting debris or vegetable scraps. These expert climbers are too small to knock over a full trash bin, but can easily make use of an open can by climbing up and hopping in.
The best way to reduce the likelihood of animals eating your trash is to get animal-proof pails with locking lids. Strong, sturdy pails with attached and locking lids will help stop animals from breaking into them. You can use bungee cords to keep your trash bins attached to your fence. For dumpsters, move them at least 3 feet away from walls, poles, and fences, to limit access from animals. Keep pail and dumpster lids closed and locked.
We specialize in the humane removal of snakes, raccoons, and other pests in the New York New Jersey area. For a complete inspection and evaluation please contact us or call us at 718-962-0376 and we will be happy to make an appointment at your convenience.
