Although raccoons are considered pests, it is common for people to find their babies awfully cute! However, once they begin to cause problems, such as destroying your property, you may not find them as cute anymore. Here at SOS Wildlife Control raccoon removal tips and prevention we have compiled some information using our expertise to prepare you for what to expect for the upcoming Raccoon Baby Season in 2021.
When is Baby Raccoon Season?
Raccoons typically mate towards the end of the winter season, although it is rare, they may also mate in the middle of winter. For the most part, baby raccoons are born in the months of April and May. Although it is less likely, you may see a raccoon liter in March. It has also been found that raccoons are sometimes born in July. In this case, the mother may have lost her initial liter at the beginning of the season and she may try again.
How Many Babies are in a Raccoon Liter?
Raccoon liters can range in size, with anywhere from 2 – 8 raccoon babies in one liter. This means that if you have raccoons that have made themselves at home in your space, you may have anywhere between 2 – 8 extra houseguests as well. Mother raccoons are very protective of their babies and will do just about anything to keep them safe. It is important not to come between a mother and her liter, so keep in mind to maintain keep your distance.
Where Will I Find the Liter?
Although raccoons are certainly outdoor animals, when it comes to creating their nest they gravitate towards the warmth of your home. One of the most common places for raccoons to nest is in the attic of a home. To a raccoon, your attic is the perfect spot to keep her babies safe and warm. An attic is elevated, making it difficult to be accessed by predators. It is also usually empty and uninhabited, apart from insulation which makes the perfect soft bedding for a nest.
How Will I Know if there are Raccoons?
One thing to note about raccoons is that although they are labelled as bandits, they are not necessarily the sneakiest creatures. There are certainly some telltale signs that you may have a raccoon liter living among you. Continue reading for common signs of raccoons in your home.
Listen for noises
They can weigh anywhere between 10 – 60 pounds, making noises both big and small as they thump and rustle in their nest. You may also hear noises coming from the raccoon babies, known as kits. Kits make noises that sound like cries or small chirps. Hearing these noises may be a sign that you have kits among you. If you are unsure if you have raccoons in your home, call the professionals at SOS Wildlife Control to assess the situation.
Spotting a Raccoon Regularly
If you notice that there is a raccoon that is often found hanging around your home, this may be a sign that there is a raccoon family living among you. If raccoons have had a liter in your home mothers will not stray very far from their babies.
Damage to Your Home
If you notice new damage to your home, this may be a sign that a raccoon has made their way inside your home. Keep an eye out for damaged soffits, damaged roof vents as well as siding that is bent. This could be an obvious sign that a raccoon has made their way in, especially if this damage was not present before. However, if you already have damage or openings in your home, this entry point may be allowing raccoons easy access into your home in the first place.
When Will Raccoon Babies Leave?
Baby raccoons are usually confined to their nest for about three months as they are not quite able to move around on their own just yet. After the three months, the kits are more independent and may circulate around the nest as well as outdoors. However, although mom and babies are now venturing outside, they still consider your home theirs. They will continue to retreat back to your space for warmth, comfort and protection, so technically, the raccoons will never leave. In fact, mom will continue to come back to this space year after year to have her liter every season.
What to do When There is a Raccoon Infestation?
If you suspect that there is a raccoon infestation on your property, contact SOS Wildlife Control in order to assess the situation and resolve the problem. An assessment is important in order to understand the situation at hand, such as how many raccoons there are, how they entered your property and which solutions best fits. Here at SOS Wildlife Control we use effective and humane methods in order to keep you, our staff and the animals safe.
At SOS Wildlife Control our aim is to solve your problem quickly and efficiently. We understand the value of time and safety for you and your space. Our team understands the nuisance that some animals can cause. Not only can they be an annoyance and cause damage to your property, they may also carry and spread diseases. If you are having wildlife problems or suspect that you may have a case, contact us as soon as possible to have your situation assessed and taken care of – call us locally at (647) 995 – 9453 or toll free at 1-800 – 981 – 0330 for all of your wildlife removal needs.