The Raccoon: Nature's Original Bandit

Long before Butch and Sundance embarked on their notorious escapades, the raccoon had already established its reputation as a masked bandit across the landscape of New Jersey. This clever, quirky, and sometimes charming creature has been around for an astonishing 25 million years. Originating in Europe, raccoons eventually made their way to North America and parts of South America.

In the United States, there are six recognized species of raccoons, with the Procyon lotor being the most familiar. Characterized by its distinctive black mask, ringed tail, and plush gray-brown fur, the raccoon has proven to be remarkably adaptable. They thrive in a wide range of climates, which has contributed to their increasing populations, making them a common nuisance in places like Bergen County, New Jersey.

Raccoon Behavior and Dietary Habits

Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on a diverse array of foods. In their natural habitats, they consume fruits, nuts, grains, vegetables, insects, eggs, small mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and even worms. Unfortunately for us, their diet also extends to human food, including pet meals, hamburgers, fries, candy bars, egg rolls, cookies, cereals, chips, and pasta. Essentially, they will eat anything they can scavenge from our homes. Raccoons often seem to prefer our unhealthy snacks over their natural diet, even opting for spoiled items in the trash. Videos online frequently capture their amusing antics as they rummage through garbage bins—hence the nickname “trash pandas”—and sneak into homes through pet doors for a taste of Fido’s dinner.

While their quirky habits, such as dipping food in water, can be entertaining, it's important to remember that raccoons are not suitable pets. They can be messy, destructive, hyperactive, and difficult to house train, often biting even when they appear friendly. Many veterinarians refuse to treat them due to these challenges. Furthermore, they pose serious health risks to humans, carrying parasites like Raccoon Roundworm and various infectious diseases, particularly rabies. Given the rising rabies cases in New Jersey, having a raccoon nearby is a significant concern.

Identifying a Raccoon Problem

How can you tell if raccoons have invaded your space? As nocturnal creatures, they are more often heard or seen through signs than by sighting the animals themselves. Look for droppings, overturned garbage cans, or scratch marks on your home's exterior and around woodpiles—these are telltale signs. Raccoons can also infest attics, basements, garages, porches, and crawlspaces. Typically, they prefer to hide in wooded areas until night falls, when they become more active. Their tracks can help you identify their presence; they have small, hand-shaped footprints similar to those of bears, with their entire paw imprint visible on the ground.

The CDC advises against approaching or attempting to handle a raccoon due to the associated dangers. In New Jersey, it's illegal to transport a live raccoon without a special permit, which is required for managing them as a nuisance. The safest option is to contact a professional pest control service to handle the situation.

If you find yourself in need of help with these four-legged intruders, Silver Bullet Pest Control offers top-notch services. We can promptly and humanely resolve your raccoon issues and implement strategies to prevent their return. Our dedicated team is always ready to assist, so don’t hesitate—give us a call today!