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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 about 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 safely 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 attract 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. Removing potential food sources can discourage raccoons from returning to your yard.

Overview of Raccoon Behavior

raccoon in your yard

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 like rabies. That's why it's very important not to touch 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 carry other diseases, such as leptospirosis and roundworm. Avoid contact with raccoon feces at all times and 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 direct contact. If you suspect the raccoon is sick or injured, contact your local animal control agency for assistance.

What to Do if You Encounter a Raccoon in Your Yard

expert raccoon advice

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 loud noises. Normally, raccoons are very calm and nonviolent animals. However, if they become threatened, they can easily become aggressive, so it is important to avoid provoking them.

Assess the Situation

Take a moment to observe the raccoon and determine if it behaves normally or 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 to 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 direct contact.

Determine if the Raccoon is Injured

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

Generally, 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

raccoon control in yard

Raccoons are known to be scavengers and 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, you can do a few things 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. If possible, consider storing your garbage cans in a garage or shed.

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, pet food, or birdseed from the ground, should be removed. 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, ensure 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. 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.

What to Do if a Raccoon is Injured

raccoon in your yard

If you encounter 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 determine the best course of action. Calling a rehabilitation center as soon as possible is important, 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 encounter an injured raccoon, it is important to act quickly and contact a wildlife rehabilitation center for assistance. Avoid handling 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.

Conclusion

expert raccoon advice

Encountering a raccoon in your yard can be a common occurrence, but handling the situation is important to ensure the animal's and your safety.

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 safely and allow it to move independently.

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.

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

Raccoons are wild animals and should be treated cautiously and respectfully. Take the appropriate measures to ensure the safety of yourself and the raccoon. If not, contact an animal control center to help you with the task.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Whether at night or day, if you encounter a raccoon, it's best to leave it alone and avoid any interaction with it. Remember that raccoons do most of their activity at night rather than during the day. 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, it can be a sign that it 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 proceeding. 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. Raccoons 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 regularly visit your yard, it may be a sign that your property provides a suitable animal habitat. 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 various methods to handle raccoons, depending on the situation. These may include live trapping and relocation, euthanasia in severe illness or injury cases, or education and outreach programs to help homeowners prevent conflicts with wildlife.

Are you having 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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