Professional Raccoon Removal & Exclusion Services
Anticimex Carolinas does not offer carcass & dead animal removal. Animal removal is only completed by our wildlife teams when an animal is found in a wildlife trap. Please contact your municipal office for local animal removal vendors:
The Anticimex Carolinas family of brands is proud to offer wildlife exclusion services for North Carolina and South Carolina. If you own a home or business in either of the Carolinas, safeguarding your property against pests is important your safety and that of your family, pets, or customers. Some wildlife intruders, such as raccoons, can be very harmful, as they can spread rabies through bites and scratches, damage buildings, or expose humans to feces, urine, or infected saliva. To protect your Carolinas home or business from raccoons, you need to understand their behavior, take preventive measures, and seek effective, professional raccoon removal if an infestation occurs.
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What Are Raccoons?
Raccoons are medium-sized, nocturnal mammals famous for their dexterous front paws and mask-like face markings. They primarily originate from forests but have adapted to a range of natural habitats and urban environments, including homes and businesses in North Carolina and South Carolina. These pests are notorious for raiding garbage, stealing pet food, and nesting in attics. Raccoons are also considered a rabies-vector species, as they can carry and transmit rabies.
How to Identify Raccoons
Raccoons are quickly recognizable by the distinctive black mask pattern around their eyes. They are larger than typical house cats and roughly the size of small to medium dogs. Their fur is generally grayish and features a thick, dense undercoat. Additionally, raccoons have a distinctive tail: long, fluffy, and banded with dark rings, making it easily identifiable.
How Do I Get Raccoons?
Raccoons are widespread in North Carolina and South Carolina. They mostly reside in forests and wild areas, but during winter, they often move into urban regions seeking shelter. Raccoons are constantly searching for food and may also check your property not just for a warm home but also as a potential nesting site for their young. Common places they settle include attics, walls, chimneys, or crawl spaces.
What Are the Effects of Raccoons In & Around My Home or Business?
Raccoons can cause quite a disturbance near your home or business in the North Carolina or South Carolina. They not only tamper with trash cans but also eat pet food and threaten pets, such as cats and small dogs. Female raccoons may use their agile paws to tear shingles or vents to gain entry, and once inside, they shred insulation, wiring, and other vital building components to create nests. Both male and female raccoons carry parasites and diseases, including rabies. These pests are omnivorous, damaging vegetable crops, fruit trees, and building structures.
How Long Do Raccoons Live?
Raccoons typically live around five years in the wild, but with ample food, they can exceed ten years. Their gestation period is approximately two months, and females usually give birth to litters of two to seven babies, called “kits.”
How Do I Prevent Raccoons?
Like most pests, raccoons are driven by a desire for food and shelter. Ensure trash cans are secured on your property and never leave pet food outside. Make sure to pick up any fallen fruit or nuts. Install fences or barriers around your yard or parking lot to prevent raccoons from climbing fruit trees and stealing your harvest. The most important prevention tip is to never feed raccoons, as doing so makes them see you as a food source, increasing the likelihood of their return and the chance they will bring others with them.
If you think you have a raccoon infestation, contact the wildlife control experts at Anticimex Carolinas for guidance on how to get rid of raccoons. Our team is experienced in the most effective exclusion techniques for raccoon pest control in the Carolinas. Additionally, we provide SMART Wildlife Exclusion, our advanced rodent technology with round-the-clock monitoring to quickly and efficiently address any wildlife activity on your property.
Signs of a Raccoon Infestation
Here are the most common signs of a raccoon issue on your property:
- Heavy thumping, scratching, or shuffling at night or early in the morning
- Chittering, crying, or mewing sounds
- Dogs or cats staring, barking, or pacing near a specific wall, ceiling, or door
- Knocked-over trash cans and torn trash bags
- Rolled-up sections of sod or small holes in your yard
- Damaged crops such as sweet corn, vegetable beds, or fruit
- Hand-shaped tracks showing five long fingers and a flat-footed print
- Tube-like droppings found in piles near tree bases, roofs, or woodpiles
- Shredded up insulation in your attic
- Bent metal vents, torn roof screens, or ripped-off shingle edges
Schedule Your Free Property Assessment with AX Carolinas Today
Don’t put off calling for wildlife control until raccoons have invaded your property, raided your trash, or damaged your structure: schedule a free professional assessment with Anticimex Carolinas and let us customize a wildlife protection plan tailored specifically to your property.
The Anticimex Carolinas family of brands brings together well-known pest control companies in North Carolina and South Carolina, including Clarks Pest Control, Killingsworth Environmental, and Strand Pest Control. Our raccoon control teams within these brands are trusted because our technicians are familiar with the Carolinas’ specific pest issues across our many service areas.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Raccoon Removal in the Carolinas
Is it safe to remove a raccoon myself?
Attempting DIY raccoon removal can expose you to risks like bites, scratches, or disease. Raccoons tend to become defensive if they feel threatened, especially when protecting their young. It’s usually safer to rely on professional raccoon removal and exclusion services.
Do raccoons come back after they are removed?
They can. If accessible entry points or attractive conditions remain, raccoons might return, and other wildlife could move in. That’s why exclusion is crucial for long-term raccoon control, and Anticimex Carolina’s SMART monitoring technology makes this process easier.
What time of year are raccoons most likely to enter homes?
Raccoons pose issues throughout the year, yet females might look for safe places to give birth and raise their young. Attics, crawl spaces, and similar sheltered spots often serve as appealing den sites.
What is the difference between raccoon removal and raccoon exclusion?
Raccoon removal targets raccoons currently on or inside a property, whereas raccoon exclusion aims to stop them from returning. An effective raccoon control strategy often combines both methods when suitable.
When should I call a professional for raccoon control?
If you notice raccoons frequently around your property, hear noises from an attic or crawl space, find damage or droppings, or suspect a raccoon has entered your home or business, consider reaching out to a professional. Anticimex Carolinas offers expert raccoon control services that can manage current activity and prevent future entries. Call Anticimex Carolinas today for a free raccoon removal estimate.