Those Pesky Masked Bandits!

[HTHBellcaptain]

I'm sorry to hear about all the racoon problems. I like the little critters. I'm scared to death of them because of the whole rabies thing, but I think they're pretty neat.

For many months now, I have heard an odd thundering running sound on my roof. Matterhorn Fan has heard it too. We narrowed it down to one of two things, either Racoons or Ghosts. There hasn't been any damage to the roof, and for the life of me I havn't been able to catch what's making the sound. If is racoons, then they're really sturdy little things, because after the three hurricanes that hit my house last fall, they must still be alive. Or maybe before the storms the sound was created by live racoons, and since the storms I'm being haunted by Ghost Racoons.

[MerryPrankster]

Raccoons are like cockroaches. I'm convinced that when all other living things are dead and gone, the earth will be populated with raccoons and cockroaches.

I've learned to live in peace with my raccoons, it's a lot easier for me to accept them then to do battle with them. Although, this spring I will need to have my backyard resodded for the third time in 4 1/2 years. Raccoons are like little rototillers when they are looking for grub worms.

Grumpy ~ I was told by Animal Control to call Vector Control for help with wild animal problems. They will supposedly come out to your property and survey it. They will then give you suggestions on how to discourage the animals from being/making a home on your property.

Here's a link to the Orange County Division:

http://www.ocvcd.org/index.htm

You can find information about raccoons on their site too. Btw, we pay for Vector Control in our property taxes. It's a service many people aren't aware of.

[Grumpy4]

Originally Posted by MerryPrankster

Grumpy ~ I was told by Animal Control to call Vector Control for help with wild animal problems. They will supposedly come out to your property and survey it. They will then give you suggestions on how to discourage the animals from being/making a home on your property.

Here's a link to the Orange County Division:

http://www.ocvcd.org/index.htm

Thanks for the info. When we found that they had been in the attic, we blocked the entrance. We firgured the went in there a night or two after we started leaving the gate open. So, they haven't been living in there. In fact, I don't think they live on our property. There is a fig tree in our neighbor's backyard so that is their food source. So, they must live nearby. I'll check out the website and see what's up. Animal control said to put an ammonia soaked rag by the entrance to the awning and under the eaves, but they just grabbed it and moved it out to the middle of the awning. They're not stupid animals. We thought about putting tack strip across the top of the fence so they will stick their little feet when they try to cross over. People say that because they are so smart that they will figure out a way. We haven't closed the gate to see if they're gone yet, because that one time we do, they will be back!!

[Matterhorn Fan]

Originally Posted by HTHBellcaptain

For many months now, I have heard an odd thundering running sound on my roof. Matterhorn Fan has heard it too. We narrowed it down to one of two things, either Racoons or Ghosts. There hasn't been any damage to the roof, and for the life of me I havn't been able to catch what's making the sound. If is racoons, then they're really sturdy little things, because after the three hurricanes that hit my house last fall, they must still be alive. Or maybe before the storms the sound was created by live racoons, and since the storms I'm being haunted by Ghost Racoons.

Ghost Raccoons seems the most likely answer. It would explain why you've never been able to see them.

It could also be Ninjas, you know. But it would have to be a Ninja-in-training, because I'd think a full-fledged Ninja would be a little lighter on his feet.

[Not Afraid]

Possibly Non-Flying Ninja Racoons. That's my suspicion.

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Possibly Non-Flying Ninja Racoons. That's my suspicion.

Or Ninja Squirrels- we have several, and they are quite loud.