Raccoons and her babies in Wall, NJ
Challenge
I responded to a call from a home in Wall, NJ to inspect a home for animal noises in the attic. The homeowner thought he had a drey of squirrels. However, upon inspection, the wildlife weighed a few more pounds and was a lot more dangerous. There was a mother raccoon and her nest of babies.
Raccoons look cute with their characteristic black mask, but they are aggressive animals, especially in close quarters. For a wildlife technician, encountering a raccoon mother protecting her babies is a challenging and potentially dangerous assignment. Raccoon infestations are genuine emergencies. These animals can not only cause significant property damage, but they are also a health hazard for humans and pets. Raccoons are notorious carriers of rabies, roundworm and canine and feline distemper.
As we all know from living in New Jersey, raccoons are highly adaptable. They have thrived far away from the wild in suburbs and even in crowded inner cities. Female raccoons look for dens in late winter/early spring. Whenever I get a call for wildlife in the attic at this time of year, raccoons are at the top of my list of suspects.
Solution
This particular raccoon infestation in this Wall residence was a particular challenge because the mother made her nest in a soffit, the underside of a home's siding and the roofline. For raccoons, this tight space is great. For humans, however, it's virtually inaccessible.
I set traps for mom and left the premises. The next day, mom was trapped. But now, I had to safely remove the babies or they would starve. I found a section of the soffit where I could remove the vent. This gave me access to inspect the area with my camera probe and scoop up all of the babies. Once I was positive I had access, I grabbed each and every one of them, I sealed up the holes and gathered the traps.
The last step is always my favorite. I relocated the raccoons to a perfect new home where they could enjoy their days away from human habitats and meddling people. It is always satisfying to humanely capture and relocate wildlife, whether it's raccoons, squirrels, bats, opossums, or even the occasional snake!
