Raccoon Control

Raccoon Control (From DEC Website)

Scientific Name: Procyon lotor

Description

RaccoonRaccoons are “well-rounded,” often plump, with reddish brown to grey fur. Adults weigh an average of 15 pounds, and are readily identified by alternating rings on the tail and characteristic black “mask.”

Raccoons are important furbearers, providing income and recreation to hunters and trappers in New York State. Many people enjoy watching or photographing raccoons. Some people feed them, but this is unnecessary and unwise. Keeping raccoons as pets may be harmful to both humans and raccoons, and is illegal.

Distribution and Habitat

Raccoons are among the most widespread mammals in New York State. The adaptable raccoon can be found everywhere, from the most remote forest to the crowded inner city. Raccoon populations often are more dense in large cities than in the wild, but abundance varies widely in different types of habitat and different parts of the state.

Behavior

Raccoons feed mainly at night. They eat fruit, nuts, berries, small animals, and insects and also will feed on pet food, garbage, and garden crops.

Female raccoons look for den sites in late winter. Litters of one to seven young are born in April and May. Young raccoons open their eyes about three weeks after birth, and often announce their presence with mewing, twittering, or crying sounds. They nurse for about six weeks, then leave the den to follow the mother until September or early October when they disperse and establish their own territories.

Mortality and Disease Factors

Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is a common disease and is usually fatal. Raccoons with distemper act tame or confused, and eventually lose coordination, become unconscious, and die. Distemper cannot be transmitted to humans or immunized pets.

Raccoon Rabies

Raccoon rabies reached New York in 1990 and has become widespread. Rabies is a viral disease with symptoms similar to distemper. Rabid raccoons may behave aggressively, salivate heavily, or have paralyzed hind legs. Rabies can be transmitted to humans and other animals by the bite of an infected animal. If you suspect a raccoon is rabid, avoid or destroy the animal and contact local health officials.

Roundworm

Roundworm infects most raccoons in New York at some time in their lives. The roundworm rarely causes the raccoon any problems, but the animals pass large numbers of eggs to the environment. Eggs ingested by another animal may hatch and cause nerve damage.

Management

Raccoons are protected by law. No one may possess a raccoon without a license, and licenses are not issued for pet wildlife. Hunting or trapping raccoons requires a license. The law allows unlicensed homeowners and farmers to destroy raccoons that damage property. However, property owners should try eliminating food and shelter before killing the animal.

Except where temporarily reduced by rabies or distemper, raccoon numbers may be very high. While densities in rural areas may be 20 – 40 raccoons per square mile, raccoon densities in some developed parts of the state (e.g. Long Island) may exceed 100 per square mile.

Raccoons can become a nuisance if people unknowingly supply food or shelter for them. They can be attracted by food available in gardens, fish ponds, pet feeders, or garbage or by cavities that might offer shelter.

Here are some ways to prevent raccoons from becoming a nuisance:

  • Do not leave pet food outside. Feed pets only as much as they will eat at once, and remove all leftovers. If necessary, place pet feeders in an enclosed area such as a porch, garage, or barn.
  • Keep garbage bags in an entry-way or garage, and in a metal can. Run a rubber strap, rope, or soft wire through the lid and attach to the can handles. To make it hard for raccoons to remove lids, hang the can one foot above the ground or use a rack and secure the cans upright.
  • Surround gardens with an electric fence made up of two wires attached to an insulated post: one wire four inches and the other eight inches above the ground. Install the fence before vegetables ripen.
  • Block the openings raccoons are using to get into your attic, porch, or other location. Place a temporary cover when the raccoons leave on their nightly search for food, and make a permanent seal later. To check if the raccoons have really left, sprinkle twigs, grass, or flour in the opening and watch for tracks. Caution: do not permanently seal entrances without first verifying that all animals are out of the den. Especially in the spring, look and listen for animal noises.
  • Nuisance wildlife control persons licensed by New York State can be hired to deal with problem raccoons. Click here for a list of Licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs) near Upper Brookville. Note that Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators are private business owners licensed by DEC to handle and remove wildlife issues in and around your home. NWCOs charge a fee for their services. Before hiring, follow the same measures you would when contracting with anyone to work around your home.

Peter P. Mackinnon, Village Attorney

Peter P. MacKinnon is a Partner of the firm, Humes & Wagner, Village Attorneys. Peter was born in Glen Cove, New York, in 1948. In 1970, he received a B.S. from Clarkson College of Technology, and in 1974 he received a J.D. from St. John’s University. In 1974, he was admitted to the New York State Bar, in 1980 he was admitted to the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, in 1981 he was admitted to the Virginia State Bar and the Supreme Court of Virginia, and in 1988 he was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court.

He is the general corporate counsel to the American Red Cross Nassau County Chapter. He is member of the Nassau County Bar Association in the Real Estate, Computer and Municipal Law Committees, and a member of the New York State Bar Association in the Real Estate and Municipal Law Sections. He is also a member of the Virginia State Bar Association. His practice areas include Municipal Law, Real Estate, Zoning, Planning, Wills and Estates.

2017 Road Improvement Program

National Grid Preparing for March Nor’easter – Company Advises Customers to Clear Ice and Snow Around Appliance Vents and Gas Meters; Build-Up Can Lead to Elevated CO Levels and Damaged Equipment

March 13, 2017

BROOKLYN/LONG ISLAND, NY – National Grid urges customers to be prepared for a blizzard which is forecasted to bear down on the region on Tuesday. Forecasts are calling for substantial snow accumulations and high winds across New York City and Long Island. Flooding along coastal areas is also a concern and can cause interruptions in natural gas service.

National Grid field crews and support personnel are prepared in the event the weather causes damage to our region’s natural gas network, and are ready to address any service issues that may arise from the storm.

While storm preparations are important, so too is the safety of our customers.

National Grid is urging everyone to take precautions to avoid the potential hazards these conditions present. At many homes and businesses, the deep snowpack and additional snow left by snow removal equipment can clog vents to furnaces and other appliances. In addition, many roofs are laden with ice and snow overhanging natural gas equipment. Both conditions can lead to trouble.

Ice and Snow Buildup Poses Risk to Gas Equipment

The buildup of ice and snow around or over natural gas meters, regulators and pipes can pose a serious safety risk as well. Ice and snow falling from a roof can damage gas meters or service connections to customers’ homes or businesses, resulting in potential gas leaks. Anyone detecting the odor of natural gas should call National Grid. If the odor is present inside your building, leave the premises immediately and call from outside or a neighboring building.

Snow removal equipment operators also should be aware of the presence of natural gas equipment and avoid coming in contact with meters, hitting outside gas risers, or piling snow around vents mounted on the outside of buildings.

CO Safety

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion. Ice and snow that block natural gas appliance vents can cause CO to back up into a building, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning to those inside. National Grid advises natural gas customers to closely inspect areas around vents for snow and ice build-up and to remove anything that is blocking those vents. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can build up to dangerous levels without building occupants being aware that it’s present. Customers are encouraged to install CO detectors in their homes and to test detectors that may already be installed to ensure that they are in working order.

If you suspect carbon monoxide is present in your home, go outside immediately and breathe deeplyIf CO poisoning symptoms, such as headaches or drowsiness are severe, call 911 immediately. A working CO detector should be on every level of the home.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

  • The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of the flu. Depending upon the amount of carbon monoxide in the air and length of exposure, symptoms may include headaches, weakness, confusion, chest tightness, skin redness, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, fluttering of the heart or loss of muscle control.
  • If you suspect carbon monoxide is present in your home, go outside immediately and breathe deeply; then call 911. If symptoms are severe, get medical attention right away.

Smell Gas Act Fast

  • Get Out – All occupants should leave the house immediately. Do not use the telephone or light switches for any reason.
  • Call – After leaving the house and reaching a safe environment, call 911 or the National Grid 24-hour gas emergency number for Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island at 718-643-4050, on Long Island and the Rockaway Peninsula call 1-800-490-0045 or call 911.
  • Stay Out – Do not return to your home until National Grid tells you it is safe.

About National Grid

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity and natural gas delivery company that connects nearly 7 million customers to vital energy sources through its networks in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain.

Through its U.S. Connect21 strategy, National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions. Connect21 is vital to our communities’ long-term economic and environmental health and aligns with regulatory initiatives in New York (REV: Reforming the Energy Vision) and Massachusetts (Grid Modernization.)

For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, or our Connecting website. You can also follow us on Twitter, watch us on You Tube, Friend us on Facebook and find our photos on Instagram.

 

East Norwich Fire Company

East Norwich FD Chief Wayne Placella

East Norwich FD Chief Wayne Placella

East Norwich Fire Company No. 1

900 Oyster Bay Rd, East Norwich, NY 11732
Phone: (516) 922-0263
Emergencies: (516) 742-3300
Dial 911 for Emergencies!