Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control to the rescue!
On April 30th, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control received a call from a distressed homeowner who has a raccoon on their 10th floor apartment balcony. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control President and CEO, Bill Dowd, responded to the call.
‘In 27 years of business, this is a first call of this this kind,” said Dowd. We have had calls for foxes, skunks, groundhogs, opossums, and all sorts of animals in strange situations but never a raccoon that high up on a balcony.”
Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control came prepared to cage the raccoon and take it to ground level, but instinct kicked in and the raccoon started to climb down the brick wall on it’s own.
Raccoons are excellent climbers. At the end of a raccoon’s fingers are strong claws. These help the raccoon grasp or climb just about anything, from a garbage can to a tree, to brick on a building! Raccoon feet can rotate 180 degrees, allowing it to climb down head first.
“Homeowners need to make sure that they do not have garbage, chairs, or clutter on their balconies because it is wildlife baby season and raccoons are looking for a place for their babies,” said Dowd.
With the raccoon rabies outbreak in Hamilton, residents are being warned to give raccoons a wider berth if they come into contact with the animal. As of May 6, the MNR has confirmed 100 cases of rabies in raccoons and skunks.
If you think you have a raccoon problem, call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today. 1-888-592-0387.
Proudly serving: Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Sudbury, St. Catharines, Cambridge and the Niagara Region.
FAQs
A daredevil raccoon that became an online sensation when it spent almost 20 nail-biting hours scaling a 25-storey office tower in Minnesota has been safely rescued and released back into the wild after making it to the top of the building unscathed.
Can raccoons climb up brick walls? ›
Raccoons can climb the walls of your house whether it's vinyl siding, wood, or brick walls. They are much more likely to climb a tree to gain access to your roof. Raccoons cannot climb unweathered sheet metal and glass.
How do raccoons climbing ability help them? ›
While raccoons can climb trees, they do so because it helps them to find sustenance and escape from predators. They are not arboreal animals that actually live in treetops but instead these climbing skills help them temporarily get into a better position where they have access to more resources.
Can raccoons crawl up the side of a house? ›
to gain entry to your soffit, roof, vents and chimney. If you suspect wildlife in your ceiling, chimney, or. anywhere in your yard, we can solve your problem.
Can raccoons climb down? ›
They are excellent climbers. In natural settings, they like to find a spot high up in a tree to spend the day. Unless it is visibly injured, a raccoon in a tree is almost never stuck. It will likely climb down once it gets dark.
What are raccoons scared off? ›
Raccoons hate the smell of ammonia, Hot sauce, and Cayenne Pepper. They are also deterred by mothballs, strobe lights, and the sound of talk shows. Many people also use hot sauce or cayenne pepper spray as a deterrent.
How do you get raccoons out of walls? ›
All you need to do is to cut a hole in the wall to get into the cavity and remove the trapped animal. However, to avoid contact, you will need thick gloves and a cage to put the animal inside it once you get it out of the wall.
What do raccoons hate to walk on? ›
You could try spreading some netting on the area: raccoons hate getting their feer tangled. They also hate walking on things that feel unbalanced, so if you put plastic or a thin sheet of metal or something on a fulcrum so it seesaws they won't like it.
How high can raccoons climb? ›
While it's normal for raccoons to climb 20 or 30 feet, scaling a large building is very unusual, said Russell L. Burke, a biology professor at Hofstra University.
Can raccoons climb drywall? ›
Yes, raccoons can climb walls. In fact, they are excellent climbers, and can climb almost any surface. This includes vertical surfaces like trees, houses, and even walls. Raccoons have sharp claws that allow them to grip onto surfaces.
Because you are not likely feeding them on the roof, needing shelter would be the main reason they are there. If they are getting into your trash, that is another story. If you have to set a trap, make sure you check it daily to make sure the raccoon is not getting cooked by the sun and dies that way.
Will raccoons eventually leave on their own? ›
Raccoons normally will not leave on their own. Unless you take steps to remove food sources, seal holes and access points, and remove nests, the raccoons will keep coming back.
Why do raccoons climb buildings? ›
Raccoons have an amazing sense of smell and a constant desire to get food, so their climbing is motivated by feeding. Raccoons have long digits, dexterous paws and sharp claws, making it easier for them to scale tall structures and easily climb down like squirrels.
What happened to the real Raccoon City? ›
Raccoon City is eradicated by the US Government (October 1, 1998). Following an emergency meeting in Congress over what to do to control the outbreak, the President made the highly controversial decision to fire an experimental thermobaric missile at the city.
Who kept raccoons in the White House? ›
President Coolidge's favorite pet was a raccoon named Rebecca; he built a special house for her, visited her every day, and walked her around the White House on a leash.
Did they rebuild Raccoon City? ›
New Raccoon City is the rebuilt city over the former city called Raccoon City, which was destroyed by a nuclear weapon during the T-Virus outbreak.
