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Home » Blog » What To Do If You See a Raccoon in Your Yard: Expert Tips

What To Do If You See a Raccoon in Your Yard: Expert Tips

What To Do If You See a Raccoon in Your Yard: Expert Tips

Raccoons are a common sight in many residential areas. They are very cute looking and harmless animals, however they can cause significant damage to your house and also pose a threat to your health. If you spot a raccoon in your yard, it's very necessary for you to understand how to maintain your safety and protect your home. This brings a couple of questions to mind of what to do when you see a raccoon? Or what to do with a raccoon?

The first step when you see a raccoon is to keep your distance. As wild animals, raccoons can become aggressive when they feel threatened. It's best to observe them from a safe distance and avoid approaching them. If you have pets, bring them inside to prevent any potential conflicts with the raccoon.

The next step is to identify any potential food sources that may be attracting the raccoon to your yard. As an omnivore, raccoons have a varied diet, which means they can eat almost anything, including garbage, pet food, and birdseed. Ensure that your garbage cans are securely closed, and any pet food or birdseed is stored in airtight containers. By removing potential food sources, you can discourage raccoons from returning to your yard.

Overview of Raccoon Behavior

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, this means that they’re normally more active at night. But it's quite common to see them in your backyard during the day, especially if it is a mother raccoon with young. Raccoons are known for their intelligence and adaptability, which make them incredible animals to adapt to various environments, including urban areas.

While raccoons are generally not aggressive towards humans, they can carry diseases such as rabies. Which is why, it's very important to not touch them or approach a raccoon, especially if it appears sick or disoriented. Signs of a rabid raccoon include aggressive behavior, disorientation, and excessive drooling.

In addition to rabies, raccoons can also carry other diseases such as leptospirosis and roundworm. Avoid contact at all times with raccoon feces and to wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with any potentially contaminated surfaces.

Overall, if you see a raccoon in your yard, it is best to give it space and avoid any direct contact. If you suspect the raccoon is sick or injured, contact your local animal control agency for assistance.

theres a raccoon on my yard

What to Do if You Encounter a Raccoon in Your Yard

Encountering a raccoon in your yard can be a surprising and potentially dangerous situation. Keep calm and always assess the situation before taking any action. In the next section, you can read about some steps to follow when and what to do with raccoons in your yard:

Remain Calm

The first step is to stay calm, don't make any sudden movements or any loud noise. Normally raccoons are very calm and non violent animals, however if they become threatened, they can easily be aggressive, so it is important to avoid provoking them.

Assess the Situation

Take a moment to observe the raccoon and determine if it is behaving normally or if it appears sick or injured. If the raccoon is acting aggressively or seems disoriented, it may be best to call a professional for assistance.

Determine if the Raccoon is a Pet

If the raccoon is wearing a collar or appears to be domesticated, it may be someone's pet. In this case, it is important to try and contact the owner before taking any action.

Keep Your Distance

Regardless of the situation, it is important to keep a safe distance from the raccoon. Raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies, so it is best to avoid any direct contact.

Determine if the Raccoon is Injured

If the raccoon appears to be injured or sick, always call a professional and get their assistance and input. Attempting to handle or treat the raccoon on your own can be dangerous for both you and the animal.

In general, it is best to avoid leaving food or trash outside, as this can attract raccoons and other wildlife to your yard. If you ever find a raccoon, note that the best solution is to call a professional for assistance if you are unsure how to handle the situation.

Deterring Raccoons from Your Yard

Deterring Raccoons from Your Yard

Raccoons are known to be scavengers and they can be attracted to your yard if they find food sources. To prevent raccoons in your backyard during the day or from entering your yard, there are a few things you can do to deter them.

Secure Garbage Cans

Raccoons are attracted to garbage cans, so it's important to secure them. You can use bungee cords or other locking mechanisms to keep the lids securely in place. Additionally, consider storing your garbage cans in a garage or shed if possible.

Cut Off Food Sources

Raccoons will also be attracted to any potential food sources in your yard. Fruit that has fallen from nearby trees or trees in your yard, any pet food or birdseed from the ground, it's important to remove it. Having a fence or netting, when you have a garden is a great way to keep raccoons out of your home.

Remove Nesting Material

Raccoons may be attracted to your yard if they find a potential nesting spot. Remove any brush piles or other materials that could provide a hiding spot for raccoons. Also make sure that any entry points are sealed in your home or garage.

Install a Fence

A fence can be an effective way to keep raccoons out of your yard. Having a six feet tall fence that extends underground to prevent raccoons from digging underneath it. Additionally, consider installing a motion-activated sprinkler system to deter raccoons from entering your yard.

By taking these steps, you can prevent raccoons from entering your yard and protect your space from potential damage.

i found a raccoon on my yard

What to Do if a Raccoon is Injured

If you come across an injured raccoon in your yard, follow the right steps to ensure its safety and well-being. In the next section, you can read some steps and tips to follow if you find an injured raccoon:

Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

The first step is to contact a wildlife rehabilitation center in your area. These centers are equipped to handle injured animals and provide them with the necessary care. They have the expertise and resources to assess how sick or injured the animal is, and see what's the best course to take. It is important to call a rehabilitation center as soon as possible, as injured animals require immediate attention.

Do Not Attempt to Capture the Animal Yourself

It is crucial to avoid attempting to capture the injured raccoon yourself. Raccoons can be dangerous when they feel threatened or scared, and attempting to handle them can result in injuries to both you and the animal. Instead, keep a safe distance and wait for the professionals to arrive.

When contacting the rehabilitation center, provide as much information as possible about the raccoon's condition, location, and any other relevant details. This will help the center assess the situation and determine the best way to proceed.

Remember to keep your pets and children away from the injured raccoon, as they may inadvertently cause further harm or stress to the animal.

Overall, if you come across an injured raccoon, it is important to act quickly and contact a wildlife rehabilitation center for assistance. Avoid attempting to handle the animal yourself and keep a safe distance until the professionals arrive. By taking these steps, you can help ensure the safety and well-being of the injured raccoon.

how to prevent a raccoon

Conclusion

Encountering a raccoon in your yard can be a common occurrence, but handling the situation is an important task not only to ensure the animals safety but yours too.

If you see a raccoon in your yard, it is important to keep a safe distance and avoid approaching it. Raccoons are wild animals and may become aggressive if they feel threatened. It is best to observe the raccoon from a safe distance and allow it to move on its own.

If the raccoon is causing damage or becoming a problem, it is important to take measures to deter it from returning. This can include securing trash cans, removing any potential food sources, and keeping pets indoors at night.

It is also important to keep your yard well-lit at night to discourage raccoons from entering. If you do encounter a raccoon indoors, it is important to make loud noises and create a commotion to scare it away.

Remember, raccoons are wild animals and should be treated with caution and respect. Remember to take the appropriate measures, to ensure the safety of yourself and also the raccoon, if not remember to contact an animal control center to help you with the task.

angry raccoon

Frequently Asked Questions

How should you respond to a raccoon present in your yard at night?

Whether it be at night or day, if you encounter a raccoon, it's best to leave it alone and avoid any interaction with it. Remember the most activity done by raccoons is at night rather than during the night. They may be searching for food or shelter, and they are unlikely to pose a threat to humans if left alone.

What are the recommended actions if a raccoon is spotted during daytime hours?

If a raccoon is spotted during the daytime, this can be a sign that the raccoon might be injured or sick. In this case, it's best to contact your local animal control agency to report the sighting and seek their advice on how to proceed. It's important to avoid approaching or touching the raccoon, as it may be aggressive or carry diseases.

What to do with raccoon in your yard?

If a raccoon is in your yard, keep a safe distance to avoid confrontation, as they may carry diseases like rabies. Secure garbage cans and remove pet food to deter them. Contact local animal control for assistance, especially if the raccoon appears sick or injured.

What does mean a raccoon in backyard during day?

Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, so seeing one in your backyard during the day could indicate that it's searching for food or water due to hunger or dehydration. It might also suggest that the raccoon is sick, injured, or displaced from its usual habitat.

What steps should be taken if a racoon approaches you on your property?

If a raccoon approaches you on your property, stay calm and don't make any sudden movement, generally speaking raccoons are not aggressive towards humans but they may become defensive if they feel threatened. So slowly back away and give the raccoon plenty of space.

How can you identify signs that a raccoon is frequenting your yard?

Signs that a raccoon is frequenting your yard may include overturned trash cans, damage to gardens or crops, and tracks or droppings left behind by the animal. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and may be attracted to food sources such as pet food or bird feeders.

What are the implications of raccoons regularly visiting your yard?

If raccoons are regularly visiting your yard, it may be a sign that your property provides a suitable habitat for the animals. While raccoons can be fascinating to observe, they can cause damage to your property and are carriers of diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets.

What methods do animal control agencies use to handle raccoons?

Animal control agencies may use a variety of methods to handle raccoons, depending on the situation. These may include live trapping and relocation, euthanasia in cases of severe illness or injury, or education and outreach programs to help homeowners prevent conflicts with wildlife.

Trouble with a raccoon? Contact us at Critter Stop, so we can help you get rid of them or any other critters that might be luring your space or home, remember that you can Contact Us or call us at: (214) 234-2616 and our team will gladly assist you.

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Lee Gorman
Lee Gorman
13:50 21 Nov 22
I’d give a 10 star review if I could! We had a great experience with Critter Stop. Everyone I dealt was friendly, professional, and reassuring. Phillip was very helpful and knowledgeable about the work he was doing. He walked me around the entire house to make sure I saw and understood the services he provided. He was also really nice and answered all my questions — he is exactly the type of person that should be interacting with customers.I love the fact that they will come back for up to 1 year after installation if any problems occur — this shows me they stand behind their work.The owner was great too, he personally came to my house and walked me through their offering. I recommend critter stop to anyone and everyone!
Susan Casey
Susan Casey
14:53 15 Nov 22
Critter Stop is a fantastic business! Everyone involved is extremely professional and very easy to communicate with. Chisam, the owner, did a great job of explaining the process to get the squirrels out of my attic during the initial free estimate. The exclusion crew who did all of the initial work was fabulous. The crew consisted of Phillip, Nick and Corey who arrived promptly when they said they would. They are happy, positive employees. Everyone is very polite and patient in explaining their work and answering questions. They came back several times to check the traps and finish it off with the fogging. Lester was very good about following up to schedule each trap check with me, and the office staff who took care of the billing was very efficient. Critter Stop is a well run company with honest, trustworthy employees! Thank you to all of you who worked hard to make my attic critter free and for the peace of mind that you guarantee your work. Great to know I can call them if for some reason a squirrel figures out a way to get back in!
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Karen Eckholdt
14:54 22 Sep 22
Critter Stop has made this project easy and extremely professional from start to finish! They are very detailed and competent from start to finish and know so much about their business. They made a problem easy for us and at a reasonable cost. We would be happy to recommend this company and their owners and staff to anyone.
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13:51 03 Aug 22
The guys at Critter Stop responded quickly, were very friendly, and gave us an honest estimate of what we might need. They explained why some items on other quotes were or were not necessary. They communicated well to get us scheduled, and did the work well and quickly. Great service at a fair and competitive price.
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Jacob Scribner
19:23 27 Jul 22
Brandon and his other coworker Gavin came to install insulation in my attic. I am very grateful for the hard work and professionalism. My house feels a lot better with the insulation installed. 5 star review. Cory Leach was also very nice and helpful. He came to my house to do another job and was very attentive and professional. Thank you Corey and thank you Critter Stop for helping me.The owner very polite and helpful, I’m glad I found this company to help me.
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