Photo Album: Pregnant Raccoon Checks Out Beach House in Surf City, NJ
Suspicious Paw Prints
Once I arrived and began inspecting I found the suspicious paw prints. After surveying these paw prints, I was able to identify them as raccoon paw prints.
Aesthetic But Not Functional
The homeowner had columns installed around the pillars for aesthetics, and curb appeal. Four of these columns are under the front deck, which created a gap at the top. As you can see a raccoon was checking out these openings.
A Mother Looking for Refuge
I believe this raccoon was a pregnant female. I came to that conclusion because under normal circumstances these pillars would not be very accommodating for a raccoon. A pregnant female needs a safe place to leave her kids while she goes foraging and these pillars are perfect.
Construction Time
After making sure there were no raccoons inside the columns, I sealed up all four pillars at the top with hardwood.
Prevention is Key
Sealing up the pillars will not only prevent raccoons from entering the pillars, but other nuisance wildlife as well.