Could Raccoons, Skunks, or Opossums Be Riding Out Winter in Your House?
Admin • January 9, 2020
Whether you live in the city, suburbs or in the country, you have likely seen raccoons, skunks, and opossums — or at least evidence of these primarily nocturnal animals. Unlike many critters, raccoons, skunks, and opossums do not hibernate in winter, often giving property owners a fright if they come across one midwinter. Here is what you should know about these troublesome animals.
What Do Raccoons, Skunks, and Opossums Eat?
All three creatures are omnivores. This means they eat a varied diet of both plant and animal matter. Fruits, nuts, berries, garden vegetables, worms, insects, eggs, and even small birds and rodents are all on the menu. These natural food sources are harder to find in winter, which means they must be innovative in their search for food.
While people often give raccoons the trash bandit moniker, every member of the trio are happy to scrounge through your garbage cans looking for something good to eat. They will also greedily consume pet food and raid your birdseed stores.
Can Raccoon, Skunks, and Opossums Damage Your Home?
Because raccoons, skunks, and opossums do not hibernate, in addition to food, they are always on the lookout for somewhere warm to pass Michigan's long, cold winters. Raccoons will choose a tree hollow or old barn for shelter but if they see the opportunity to bunk with you in your garage or toasty attic, they'll naturally choose that instead.
Opossums normally live in burrows or dens that they line with paper, leaves, and other bedding material to help keep them warm. Like raccoons, they prefer to stay with you if they are able. Opossums do not have a thick coat of fur for added protection against the cold, and their hairless ears and tail makes them prone to frostbite. Raccoons and opossums are adept climbers. They can easily scale your home's exterior or simply climb a tree and make the easy transition over to your roof. Once there, raccoons and opossums will use their nails and teeth to claw and chew their way into your attic. Your attic and its cozy insulation are much preferred over one of their drafty dens.
Skunks are not as skilled at climbing as raccoons and opossums are. However, they are excellent diggers. In addition to causing damage to your yard and garden, they can cause extensive damage to your home when they excavate burrows under or near your home's foundation, porch, or deck. They can also use their sharp nails and teeth to chew through your wood siding and burrow into the wall exterior.
Can Raccoons, Skunks, and Opossums Affect Your Health?
Regardless of how a raccoon, skunk, or opossum find their way into your home, you can be certain they will cause damage doing it. But these critters can also threaten your personal well-being.
If these animals decide your home is a more suitable den, they will make daily deposits of bacteria-laden urine and feces. They will also leave behind food waste and hoards. If the animal dies while shacking up with you, the decomposition smell will be horrific. In addition to these unpleasantries, encountering a wild animal in your home can be dangerous. Raccoons are known to carry rabies and can become quite aggressive. Skunks are generally peaceable animals, but if a skunk feels threatened, it will spray, leaving its signature malodorous scent behind.
The spray can cause sickness and even blindness if it gets in your eyes. Skunks can also carry rabies. Opossums are particularly vicious when cornered, especially if they are carrying their young. And while they aren't usually rabies carriers, they can spread many other diseases.
If you notice your garbage cans are knocked over, birdseed and kibble stored in the garage appears to be rummaged through, you observe roof or siding damage, or you hear noises coming from your attic or in the wall, you may have a raccoon, skunk, or opossum problem. Contact Anteater Pest Control Inc. right away. We will come and do a thorough, free inspection and come up with a plan for removing the problem animal.
At Anteater Pest Control , we get a lot of questions about a specific, red-and-black insect that seems to appear out of nowhere in massive clusters. If you’ve seen these bugs congregating on your siding or windowsills, you’re likely dealing with Boxelder bugs. While they aren’t the most destructive pests we deal with, their presence in large numbers can be a major nuisance. Here is everything you need to know about identifying, managing, and preventing Boxelder bugs. Identification: Is it a Boxelder Bug? Before you take action, you have to know what you’re looking at. Boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata) are easily identified by a few key features: Color : Dark brownish-black with three distinct reddish-orange stripes on the thorax (the area behind the head). Shape : An elongated, flattened oval shape, roughly 1/2 inch long. Wings : They have overlapping wings that form a distinct "X" shape on their backs. Why Are They Choosing Your Home? Boxelder bugs are highly attracted to heat and light. They are often found on the south and west-facing walls of buildings because those surfaces absorb the most sunlight. Their primary food source is the seed of the Boxelder tree, though they also frequent Maple and Ash trees. If you have these trees on or near your property, your home is essentially a "luxury resort" for them—providing food nearby and a warm place to rest. The "Nuisance" Factor The good news? Boxelder bugs do not bite, they don’t sting, and they don’t carry diseases. They also won't eat your food or damage your furniture. However, they present two main problems: Staining : If crushed, their body fluids can leave a permanent reddish-orange stain on curtains, carpets, and upholstery. Odors : When threatened or squashed, they release a pungent, foul-smelling defensive odor. Professional Solutions When Boxelder bugs move from a few sightings to a full-scale invasion, DIY methods often fall short. Because these bugs can hide deep within wall voids, professional intervention is the most reliable way to create a lasting perimeter barrier. At Anteater Pest Control, we use targeted treatments to stop these pests before they find their way into your living space. We don't just treat the symptoms; we help you identify the entry points to keep your home secure. Is your home becoming a hangout for Boxelder bugs?
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