Exploring the Role of Synanthropes in Urban Areas

As cities become more densely populated, they often bring with them an influx of nuisance wildlife. These animals are known as synanthropes – species that have adapted to living in close proximity to humans and make their homes in urban areas. Synanthropes can be both beneficial and detrimental, depending on the circumstances.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the role of synanthropes in urban areas and look at ways to manage them effectively, so they don’t become a nuisance or hazard. We’ll also discuss how animal removal services can help keep these populations under control while still allowing us to appreciate the beauty of nature even within our cities.

Call Our Raccoon Trappers in Nashville TN at 615-610-0962 Today.
Call Our Raccoon Trappers in Nashville TN at 615-610-0962 Today.

The Pros and Cons of Synanthropes

In urbanized areas, synanthropes are beneficial in that they help keep the environment clean by eating insects and small animals. Synanthropic species like raccoons, skunks, opossums, foxes, and coyotes can help reduce the number of pests that have become a nuisance in cities. Synanthrope populations can also help balance the ecosystem by providing food for predators like owls and bobcats.

Unfortunately, synanthropic animals can become a nuisance if their populations are not managed properly. Synanthropes like rats, mice, and pigeons can carry diseases that threaten public health; other species such as raccoons and opossums may raid garbage cans and damage property. Synanthrope populations can also become overpopulated, leading to competition for resources like food and shelter that can cause increased aggression between animals.

Solutions to Synanthropic Behaviors

The best way to manage urban wildlife is through animal control services. Wildlife removal experts are trained to safely and humanely remove nuisance wildlife from urban areas without causing harm to either the animals or people. Animal removal services in Nashville also provide education about how to prevent animal infestations in urban areas by eliminating sources of food and shelter, such as garbage cans and compost piles.

Nashville Animal Removal Services

Wildlife removal and control in Nashville, Tennessee is essential for keeping synanthropic populations under control while still allowing us to appreciate their presence in our cities. Synanthropes are an important part of urban ecology, providing balance and beauty to our urban environments. By safely and humanely removing these nuisance wildlife from our cities, we can enjoy the beauty of nature even within city limits.

Do-It-Yourself Nuisance Wildlife Control

Controlling nuisance animals around your property can be a nuisance in itself, but there are ways to ensure that any wildlife passing through is either discouraged from settling down or deterred away altogether. Animal proofing your property is essential, including making sure all entryways are sealed and refuse is properly disposed of so as not to attract scavenging wildlife. You may want to use scent repellents or motion-activated water sprays if nuisance wildlife problems are especially persistent, as these can help keep animals like skunks and raccoons away. If the problem persists, contact a licensed Nashville wildlife control service who will be able to assist you in safely removing nuisance wildlife from your property.

If you are having trouble with wild animals in Tennessee or the Smoky Mountain area, don’t wait any longer and hire a professional operator to help manage your critter control. Contact Smoky Wildlife Control at 615-610-0962 for prompt and professional animal removal in Nashville, Tennessee. We also provide animal infestation cleanup and repair for both residential and commercial clients.

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What You Need to Know About Wild Raccoons

Our animal kingdom embraces a long list of fascinating and beneficial critters. Depending on the region in which you live, you are likely to spot a variety wildlife, whether on car rides, hikes, picnics, rounds of golf, bike rides, fishing trips, or even a stroll through your neighborhood. Here in the Smoky Mountain region, one of the most predominant species of wildlife known to explore both woodlands and human territories are raccoons.

Raccoons are regularly spotted in rural and urban communities, but they also stick to the natural forests and wooded areas in the Smoky Mountains. When it comes to wild raccoons, namely raccoon sightings, there is much to beware of. The more knowledge you have about wild raccoons, the better you can react and navigate an encounter.

Continue reading to learn some general information about wild raccoons, some fun facts, and who to call for professional assistance and advice when it comes to raccoon control and preservation.

Raccoon Trapper Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962
Raccoon Trapper Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962

The Common Raccoon (Procyon Lotor)

Raccoons have many names and appellations. This is because they are found in several different regions of the United States, and exhibit marginally different features, habits, and lifestyles. Raccoons are part of the Procyon genus and scientifically referred to as Procyon Lotor, loosely meaning “dog-like”.  In addition to this very formal title, these animals are also known as the Common Raccoon, North American Raccoon, and the Northern Raccoon. 

Raccoon Species Around the World

In addition to these colloquial names, raccoons are also referred to by their habitat and behaviors.  There are at least six known species of raccoon and various subspecies. They are highly adaptable mammals that can live in a variety of different climates all over the world, including Central, South and North America, Canada, Asia, Europe, and even the Caribbean. This variety leaves room for a lot of interesting names. 

Other species of raccoons include, but are not limited to, the Ring-Tailed Raccoon, Upper Mississippi Valley Raccoon, the Eastern Raccoon, Ten Thousand Island Raccoon, the Crab-Eating Raccoon, the Tres Marias Raccoon, the Guadeloupe Raccoon, the Coati, the Cozumel Raccoon, and more. The differences among each species include size, weight, fur color, diet, behavior, and other identifiable and physical characteristics.

Local Raccoons in Tennessee

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, meaning they are active at night and rest during the day.  During the night, raccoons generally hunt and forage for food. Although primarily nocturnal, they are known to venture out in the day from time to time for particular food sources. In the United States, these food sources are commonly turning out to be residential and urban garbage cans and dumpsters. 

Raccoons travel and behave in colonies, usually consisting of their own kin.  The beginning of the year has proven to be their breeding time, with a gestation period of about sixty five days or so. The males do not partake in raising the raccoon pups, so females separate following reproduction.  Raising baby raccoons is not a terribly dangerous time period for female raccoons, mostly because raccoons have very few predators. This does not mean that they cannot be subjected to danger. 

In certain parts of the world, animals such as coyotes, cougars, mountain lions, and bobcats, and more, will feed on wild raccoons.  As natural instinct allows, raccoons are known to claw, bite, hiss, growl, and scream at anything threatening it. This defensive behavior is commonly seen in urban areas near humans and domesticated pets.

Raccoons are an Omnivorous Species Like Us

Raccoons are omnivorous so their diet can consist of everything from invertebrates to plant material.  Depending on the time of year, habitat, and species of raccoon, food sources will differ.  For example, in the late summer and autumn months, Northern raccoons are known to indulge in fruits, acorns, walnuts, and other seasonal foods that are rich in nutrients and calories. This better prepares them for their winter hibernation period.  In the springtime and early summer months, raccoons dine on less favorable items, such as worms, insects, and other readily accessible invertebrates. 

On top of these easy-to-obtain foodstuffs, raccoons will also eat fish, bird eggs, snakes, amphibians, and several other vertebrates, so long as they can reach them or catch them!  Other regionally raccoon food preferences include crabs, lizards, plants, berries, crayfish, and even human food.  This all depends on where they live and how accessible the food items are.  Different species of raccoon display different habits when it comes to hunting and feeding.

Although not conclusively proven, raccoons are thought to wash their food before eating, also referred to as “dousing”. There are several theories to explain this behavior, however, most believe it is simply an archaic habit dating back to when raccoons mostly fed on shorelines and foraged food sources from watering holes. Other theories suggest that raccoons cannot produce an adequate amount of saliva to consume their food, so they must moisten it with water for sufficient digestion.

Raccoons are Losing Natural Habitats

Unfortunately, due to over-development and mass construction, some species of raccoon have been forced to live among humans in residential and urban areas. These raccoons have learned to adapt to this kind of living over the past fifty years. They use our municipal waste sites to forage food, as well as, home gardens, dumpsters, pet food bowls, and more. They use every opportunity they can find to gather and eat foodstuffs in our metropolitan areas. 

For shelter, raccoons in suburban areas are known to use houses, buildings, attics, garages, sheds, and roofs, sewer drains, outside play sets, pet houses, hollowed trees, crawl spaces, porches, decks, and more. They are moderately intelligent mammals that can learn to overcome obstacles and remember certain tasks for up to three years! They can use their dexterous hands and claws to open gates, pick locks, dig holes, lift, push, and rip away anything in their way.  This causes a lot of structural damage to homes and buildings in these municipal neighborhoods and areas.

Raccoon Removal and Control

When building and homeowners experience an animal infestation problem, it is important that they act fast.  Structural damage, repairs, cleanup, and attacks are all potential consequences of a raccoon infestation. This is especially vital for families or buildings with small children.  Wild raccoons can not only be defensive and protective of their clan, but they can also carry a plethora of communicable diseases, including Rabies, Canine Distemper, Leptospirosis, and more.  To avoid a raccoon attack or contagious infection, it is crucial to remove raccoons as soon as you are aware they of their presence.  Typically, a Nashville TN wildlife control company can be called out to diagnose the issue and facilitate a set of remedies to eliminate the threat. 

Are you having trouble with nuisance raccoons around your Tennessee home or office building? Contact Smoky Wildlife Control at 615-610-0962 for raccoon removal and control service in Nashville and its surrounding counties. We serve residential and commercial properties.

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3 Effective Strategies For Keeping Raccoons Out of Your Trashcans

Raccoons are omnivores, which means they eat anything that we do, plus some more! So, it is no surprise that trashcans are a common target for raccoon pillaging. Raccoons see garbage as an all-you-can-eat buffet, and they can sniff out a good trashcan or receptacle from a mile away. If your garbage cans have been tampered with by raccoons or other types of wildlife, it is time to take action and make a plan for defense.

Continue reading to learn 3 simple and cheap ways to keep raccoons out of your trashcans for good, plus a bonus tip on how to protect the entirety of your property from wildlife damages.

Raccoon Trappers Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962
Raccoon Trappers Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962

Raccoon Control for Garbage Cans

Raccoons have highly dexterous paws that are human-like, giving them the ability to grip and grasp trashcan lids with acute manipulation. Raccoons are also excellent climbers, which gives them the ability to access areas of a property that other animals cannot. So, while you think your trashcans are protected against wildlife tampering, raccoons might still be able to get to them because of their unique physical abilities.

For this reason, it is necessary to implement strategic raccoon control for garbage cans. Fortunately, there are three highly effective and affordable ways you can do this: Christmas lights, ammonia, and/or bungee cords.

Christmas Lights

If you really want a unique approach to garbage can, raccoon control, consider stringing Christmas lights around your trashcans. The blinking lights will divert their interest because they are bright and reduce their privacy. Simply turn them on at night and flick them off in the morning. You can even set them up on a timer that does this for you.

Ammonia

Not only will ammonia keep raccoons away, but it will also thwart several other species of wildlife from tampering with your garbage, including stray dogs and coyotes. You can purchase ammonia in the local department store or through your trusted online retailer for as little as three dollars a pack. Simply sprinkle some inside your trashcan or on the trash bags themselves before putting them inside.

Bungee Cords

If you are not confident that Christmas lights in ammonia will keep raccoons out of your trash, get yourself some bungee cords and secure the trashcan lids down manually. Although raccoons have dexterous paws, they do not have super strength. So long as you secure the trashcan lids down well enough, raccoons won’t be able to lift the lids and gain access to the scraps inside.

Use an Animal Repellent to Keep All Critters Away

You can make your own non-toxic animal repellent to keep all nuisance critters off of your property. You will need capsaicin oil, putrescent egg, water, and a large spray bottle. Simply mix all the ingredients together and spray the perimeter of your property. Because of the capsaicin oil, be sure to keep young children and pets away from any treated area, as the spice can irritate their eyes, nose, mouth, lungs, and ears. If this happens, contact a doctor immediately.

For full on protection against nuisance wildlife like raccoons, you need a professional to develop and initiate an effective critter control plan for your property. Contact Smoky Wildlife Control at 615-610-0962 for prompt and professional raccoon removal and control services in Nashville and Clarksville, Tennessee. We serve both residential and commercial clients of the most competitive rates around.

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