Raccoons in NYC, Long Island, and New Jersey

News Item: Bronx Woman Bitten by Rabid Raccoon, First Case in 5 Years

In a recent press release, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene confirmed that a Bronx woman had been bitten by a rabid raccoon, and another woman had been bitten that same day by a racoon that was suspected of being rabid. This was the first case of a person being bitten by a rabid raccoon in about five years.

(Click here to read the article.)

Raccoon Biology and Habits

Pretty much everyone knows what a raccoon is. They're common animals that live in urban, suburban, and rural areas, and are characterized by their "masked" faces and ringed tails. They can grow to considerable size: Adult raccoons can grow as long as two feet (not including the tail) and can weigh as much as 50 pounds.

Raccoons are very smart animals whose intelligence and physical characteristics have enabled them to adapt to all kinds of environments.

But as their natural habitat continues to dwindle, raccoons are increasingly coming into close contact with humans -- with sometimes dangerous consequences. Aside from creating a general nuisance by strewing garbage all over, breaking into buildings, and nesting in chimneys, raccoons also carry serious diseases and can create a genuine health hazard when in proximity to humans.

Signs that You Have a Raccoon Problem

Of course, the most obvious sign that you have a raccoon problem is seeing the animals themselves. They can often be seen at night rummaging around garbage pails or looking for food in the backyard. Less frequently, they may be observed during the day, either when food is very scarce or if they are sick. Other signs that you may have raccoon problem include their "scat" (droppings) or footprints.

Raccoon Control

Most raccoon control is carried out by trapping and exclusion. Traps are set for animals already on the property; and then once we're sure that we've gotten them all, repairs and modifications are made to prevent them (or "new" raccoons) from getting back inside.

Exclusion can be as simple as installing better latches on gates and fences, or it can involve repairs and modifications to buildings. One of the most common modifications is the installation of chimney caps to keep raccoons from nesting in chimneys (which do seem a lot like hollow trees to a raccoon, after all).

If you live in New York City, Long Island, or Central New Jersey, and raccoons or other nuisance animals are causing a problem in or around your home, please contact Pest Quest Pest Management for a customized control plan.