As the chill of winter sets in, you may wonder about the creatures that share your neighbourhood- particularly the commonly sighted and often misunderstood raccoon. This intriguing mammal, known for its distinctive markings and adaptable nature, has a host of behaviours that change with the seasons, particularly during the cold winter months. 

At its core, this blog will delve into the life of raccoons during winter, discussing their behavioural patterns, dietary shifts, and even their preference for certain types of shelters – which, quite alarmingly, might include your own home. Discover the tell-tale signs of an infestation, the possible damage they could inflict on your property, and the reasons why these masked marauders choose the warmth and safety of human-made structures. 

As you journey through the blog, you’ll also learn about a professional wildlife technician’s crucial role in humane removal. Discussing the benefits of such services, this blog delves into why this investment is essential, and the value a seasoned professional brings to the table. The conclusion underscores why our team is the perfect choice for those who require removal during the frosty winter season. 

The more acquainted you become with the habits of raccoons, the better you can safeguard your property against potential invasions. After all, awareness is the first step towards effective prevention.

Stay tuned as we unravel the secrets of ‘raccoons in winter’ and equip you with the knowledge and advice you need to coexist with our shared wildlife peacefully. 

What are the Typical Behaviors of Raccoons in the Winter?

Before we delve into the specifics, it’s essential to understand that raccoons, like most other wildlife, adapt their behaviours to cope with the freezing winter conditions. What do they do in the winter? These clever critters are incredibly resourceful and have a knack for turning their environment inside out to meet their survival needs. 

Location, Location, Location 

Finding suitable shelter is a priority for raccoons in winter. They aren’t technically hibernating creatures, but they do “den” up for extended periods of semi-hibernation, known as torpor. During this phase, they might take refuge in your attic, barn, garage, or chimney. These places offer the warmth and solace they seek to survive winter’s frigid temperatures. 

As the mercury drops, these animals become more resourceful, using their notable dexterity to break into places like basements and sheds. Due to their size, accommodating a family isn’t as simple as housing a few uninvited squirrels. They can displace items, leave waste, and create noise—disturbances that can cause stress to homeowners. It’s crucial to remember that they are seeking shelter, a basic survival instinct, not intending to cause you harm or stress. However, if you suspect raccoons have made your home their winter retreat, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance. 

The less hospitable the outdoors becomes, the more attractive your home appears to these furry creatures. They don’t require a lot of room to squeeze through; a hole as small as four inches is enough for a raccoon to gain entry. Once inside, they can cause extensive damage. They may rip up insulation, gnaw on wires, or tear through your roof and walls. They have a ravenous hunger in winter, often causing damage as they raid homes for food and shelter. When a raccoon family settles into your home, the damage can quickly spiral, necessitating expensive repairs.

Winter Diet 

Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they’ll chow down on both plants and meat. In the colder months, however, their diet skews heavily towards meat. This is primarily due to an overall reduction in fruits and vegetation. Don’t be surprised if they’re raiding your trash cans more often; that’s just their quest for survival. 

While they go on this survival quest, raccoons demonstrate increased tenacity and resilience. An especially cold or snowy winter night will encourage these creatures to ransack your property in search of food. As much as they can be admired for their adaptability, this behaviour can become a serious nuisance to homeowners – yet another reason why understanding their winter habits is crucial. 

The raccoons’ winter dietary needs also drive them to be more daring and explore unfamiliar environments. They may check out your outdoor pet areas, poultry houses or fields with corn and other attractive crops. Such adventurous foraging means they end up trespassing and, inevitably, causing damage to your property. To avoid this, it’s advisable to secure these areas as best as possible during winter and regularly check for signs of intrusion.

Damage Potential 

You may admire their survival instincts, but it’s vital to remember that these rodents could potentially cause significant damage to your property. Seeking warmth, they can chew or tear off insulation, damage ductwork, or even tear up your roof to gain entry into your house. They also pose a health risk; raccoons carry parasites and are a primary carrier of rabies. 

Raccoons’ winter behaviours aren’t just limited to seeking shelter and warmth. They exhibit quite a bit of resourcefulness when it comes to their survival strategies. Ever noticed how they seem to hibernate? Surprise! They actually don’t. However, during particularly cold periods, these critters partake in a behaviour known as “torpor”. Unlike insensate hibernation, torpor is a lighter sleep that allows them to preserve their energy and body heat, and they can wake up as needed to forage or defend against danger. Torpor also provides them with the means to survive without eating for weeks, which is quite handy given food scarcity in the winter months. 

While we’ve focused on understanding their behaviours and lifestyle, it’s equally important to consider how we can safely coexist with raccoons in our neighbourhoods during the winter. Efforts can include securing garbage bins, capping chimneys, and closing entry points around the house to prevent an invasion. Remember, while we feel the cold, they do too, and will take on unusual behaviors to safeguard their survival. These preventative measures will protect both your home and the raccoons by preventing unwanted encounters.

Why Do Raccoons Seek Shelter in Homes During the Winter?

Have you ever wondered why you’re likely to find raccoons sheltering in your home during the frosty winter months? Let’s delve into this topic to better understand these curious creatures and how we can coexist with them peacefully. 

Firstly, raccoons, like many other animals, prioritize survival. During winter, the chilly air and snowy landscapes significantly decrease the availability of food and lower the overall ambient temperature. To deal with this, they often seek out warm, sheltered spaces to avoid freezing temperatures and potential predators. And what provides the perfect combination of warmth, safety, and proximity to food sources? Your home. 

Attic spaces, chimney areas, and even underneath porches or decks might seem like an inviting refuge to these adaptable creatures. They are excellent climbers and can find ingenious ways to access your home undetected. That rattling noise in your attic, or the rustling you hear in your chimney, might not be just the wind — it could be an uninvited guest. 

They burrow into insulation, create dens, and even bear their young in these protected spaces. While from a survival standpoint, this might be a smart move for the raccoons, it can cause significant issues for homeowners. 

We, at our company, deal with these kinds of situations frequently. This makes us uniquely qualified to handle and resolve raccoon problems during winter and ensure that your home remains an animal-free zone. Each case of infiltration is different, and it requires experienced care and humane control methods to evict them and prevent them from returning.

What are the Benefits of Hiring a Professional Wildlife Service in the Winter? 

Dealing with raccoons in winter can be a significant challenge for homeowners. Their instincts drive them to seek warmth and food, often leading them to invade our homes and cause considerable damage. This is where a professional comes into play. By hiring a professional service such as our team, you can ensure these winter guests’ safe and effective removal. 

Experience and Expertise 

By choosing to hire professional services for raccoon removal in Niagara, you’re leveraging the wealth of experience and knowledge that comes with them. This team knows exactly what to look for, and where. Professionals are equipped with training on their behaviours, are familiar with their common hiding spots and clearly understand how these creatures operate in the cold months. 

Customized Plans 

Hiring a professional service ensures that the removal process is tailored to handle your specific situation effectively. After a detailed inspection of your home, professionals will develop a customized plan to safely remove the raccoons and prevent future invasions. This way, no stone is left unturned, and your home is thoroughly protected. 

Humane Approach 

Our team at Skedaddle believes in humanely handling animals, even when they’re causing inconvenience. The welfare of the raccoons is important. Our methods ensure that the animals are not harmed during the removal process. Instead, they are safely encouraged to return to their natural environment. 

Long term Solutions 

More than one-time removal is required. Raccoons are intelligent, resourceful creatures and can easily find their way back if proper measures aren’t implemented. Professional services provide long-term solutions, including sealing off potential entrances and offering advice on how to make your property less attractive to animals. 

So, while winter invasions might seem insurmountable, you can handle it with others. By investing in a professional removal service, you can rest easy knowing that both you and the animals are in safe, capable hands.

Skedaddle: Your Humane Wildlife Control Ally 

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Niagara, we believe in acting swiftly and humanely. With decades worth of expertise and a deep understanding of raccoon behaviour during winter, we’re here to ensure that your home remains animal-free. Trust us to handle all your wildlife woes this winter and beyond.

Those curious about how exactly we can support their raccoon removal in Niagara this winter, or seeking further advice on animals in winter behaviour, are encouraged to reach out. Don’t delay in giving your home the best protection it needs. Contact us to request a quote and to learn more about our reliable, humane services. We’re here to help and ready to serve.