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Raccoon & Opossum Removal – Gulf Coast Pest Control

Raccoons and opossums often seek shelter in attics, chimneys, crawl spaces, beneath homes, shrubbery, and buildings—especially during the colder months of the year. These animals can be surprisingly creative and highly destructive when looking for a place to den and raise their young.

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Raccoon Behavior & Breeding

Raccoons are nocturnal, omnivorous mammals that feed on berries, insects, eggs, and small animals. They're known for their habit of "washing" their food, a behavior called dousing, although its true purpose is still debated. Some scientists believe it’s linked to foraging instincts rather than hygiene.

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Breeding Season

• Main breeding period: January – March (peak in February)

• Litter size: 1 to 8 kits (average 3–4)

• Gestation period: ~63 days

• Births occur: April – May

• Young raccoons: Eyes open at 18–23 days; stay in the den for 8–10 weeks

Adult female raccoons (called sows) seek quiet, warm spaces—like your attic—to give birth. Males (called boars) do not assist in raising the young and will mate with multiple females during the season. Although raccoons can breed in their first year, most males wait until the second year due to competition from older males.

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Opossum Behavior & Breeding

Opossums are slow-moving, nocturnal marsupials. Despite having 50 teeth—the most of any North American land mammal—they are generally non-aggressive and rarely pose a serious threat. Opossums may hiss or bite when threatened, but they are less likely to transmit diseases and almost never carry rabies, likely due to their low body temperature and unique biology.

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Breeding Season

• Active months: December – October

• Peak births: February – June

• Litter frequency: 1 to 3 per year

• Gestation period: Just 13 days

• Mating behavior: Males attract females with clicking sounds

Young opossums are born extremely underdeveloped and crawl into their mother's pouch, where they continue to develop for several weeks. Most opossums in the wild live only 1–2 years, which is why they reproduce rapidly and frequently.

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Protect Your Home

If you've seen signs of wildlife activity or suspect animals are entering your home:

• Call Gulf Coast Pest Control.
  Our experienced and humane wildlife trappers can safely remove raccoons, opossums, and other intruders.

• We locate and seal entry points
  to prevent future infestations using proven exclusion methods—and we warranty our work.

Let us help you keep your home secure, safe, and animal-free—especially during peak breeding seasons.

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