Raccoon
You never expect to see a raccoon in your yard and even if you do, it might cause more worry than anything else. These animals are nocturnal, sensative to environment conditions, omnivores and often depicted as mischief makers and they are becoming more and more familiar in the urban and suburban world. They of course are intelligent and quite sly for them to be dwelling in human vicinity. Awareness of the fact on how people can share this space with these animals is important.
Learning about the raccoon’s ways and how to keep them away can help you and them get along. This article will cover what to do if you see a raccoon in your yard. We’ll also share tips for keeping them away without hurting them.
Understanding the Nocturnal and Adaptable Raccoon
Raccoons are very interesting creatures, which a numerous amount of people find quite interesting. They are clever animals and lovest to dig at night, have wonderful paws for doing all sorts of clever things and are very resourceful. As residents of the neighboring areas the plants are known to exhibit playful acts. What this can be fun to watch sometimes may cause issues for the homeowners.
That raccoon was definitely vicious by coming up with such an ingenious idea that no other animal could have thought of.
Raccoons are very noticeable because they possess very good hands. These hands assist them in solving problems and in opening things as well nowadays. These creatures are rather adapt at foraging for food and also display impressive mobility within their environment.
Raccoons as Urban Wildlife: It was funny seeing the two omnivores mischievously gorge on their new found delicious and nutritious food.
In the metropolitan areas and the sub-urban areas, raccoons are versatile animals. It inhabits in many places for the search of food. They are omnivores and therefore feed on many things such as pet food, refuse and green pharmacy comprising of garden crops. This can lead to problems with people and may find food in the trash, break things or get into houses.
Together with raccoons belong to the family of Procyonidae that includes several other outstanding species. Here are some of their closest relatives:Here are some of their closest relatives:
- Ringtails: This small masterns has been characterized by black and white banded long tails. They are mainly active at night; they only spread or make their homes in rocky terrains in North America.
Cacomistles:
Like ringtails cacomistles have a banded tail but the creature is slightly larger in size. They occur in Mexico and most of Central America, as well as the South West of USA and Canada.
Coatis:
These sociable animals have scraggly, ringed tails and elongated snout. Coatis are omnivores and also have grouped societies known as ‘bands. ’ These are prevalent in the Central America and also in South America.
Kinkajous:
These are active during night and of the marsupial group that has endangered behaviors of moving round on trees with their tails. These animals are mainly plant eating and they reside in the central and southern parts of the America.
Olingos:
These are small nocturnal mammals that inhabited the central and south American cloud forests. They are mainly sapiovore and have tail which can grasp objects.
Olinguitos:
These new-found mammals belong to the Procyonidae family and are the smallest of the species. These animals are located in cloud forests in the Andes range in Colombia and Ecuadority.
Raccoon in Your Yard: Potential Risks and Concerns
You always see raccoons as harmless and actually they can be quite a nuisance in your community. Some of them can either cause harm to persons, property or poses as a health risk to occupants of the home. That is why it is necessary to know some threats to keep your house and loved ones safe.
Raccoons pose a threat to your property because they are known to cause havoc on your property hence destroying it. They also use their ‘smart’ hands to open and play around with items. They can look for food or shelter, in your house and can destroy roofs, sidings and a whole lot more. This is very costly to correct and negatively impacts the safety of your home.
Raccoons can also transfer diseases from one animal to the other. It may be host to parasites such as roundworms and are known to transmit diseases to humans and pets. They also enjoy rummaging over the garbage bin and compost heap a rather unsafe practice.
It is particularly important for people who have young kids or pet around the house to take caution. What was interesting to learn is the fact that raccoons are aggressive only when cornered or when they have their young ones. They might attack pets, perhaps or little kids an act that is very risky.
| Potential Risks | Concerns |
|---|---|
| Property Damage | Damage to roofs, siding, attics, and chimneys |
| Disease Transmission | Spread of parasites and illnesses like raccoon roundworm |
| Threats to Pets and Children | Aggressive behavior and potential attacks |
To deal with raccoons in your yard, you need a plan. You must balance keeping wildlife safe with protecting your home and family. Knowing the risks helps you take steps to keep raccoons away. This way, you can live peacefully with them in your area.
Humane and Effective Raccoon Deterrents
As much as human beings cohabitate with wildlife, especially in urban areas, such as raccoons, there is always the best way to live with these creatures. Fortunately, these creatures are manageable by the use of proper deterrents in order not to harm you or cage them. This section thus considers the humane and effective ways through which raccoons can be prevented from accessing your compound.
Do It Yourself raccoon repellent and Exclusion Methods
It is cheaper to use homemade repellents especially when it comes to raccoons control. It can be use around entry points such as ammonia soaked rags, cayenne pepper or any ammonia base cleaner. Other things that can cause raccoons to scare and to stay off your compound include using lights that are sensitive to motion or use of sprinklers.
Moving on to exclusion methods if you want to get a deeper solution, then give it a go. It is as simple as sealing the possible breeding grounds, putting up high fences or even locking the dumpsters. They may also consider repellant bought in stores that contains natural products such as castor oil or garlic. Some of these can help in discouraging raccoons from visiting your area while at the same time not causing harm to them.
FAQ
What should I do if I see a raccoon in my yard?
Stay calm and keep your distance. Raccoons usually don’t attack humans. But, don’t get too close or feed them. Keep pets and kids inside and make sure trash cans and pet food are secure to keep raccoons away.
Are raccoons nocturnal and adaptable?
Yes, raccoons are mostly active at night. They are also very adaptable, living well in cities and suburbs. With their clever hands, they can find many food sources and make your neighborhood their home.
Can raccoons be mischievous and resourceful?
Definitely. Raccoons are known for being a bit naughty and clever. They can get into food where they shouldn’t and might damage your property while looking for a place to live or food. You might find them in your trash, attic, or causing other problems.
What are the potential risks and concerns of having a raccoon in my yard?
Raccoons can be a problem for homeowners. They might dig or make nests in your yard, and they can spread diseases like rabies and distemper. These diseases can be harmful to pets and people. Raccoons can also be dangerous to pets and kids if they feel threatened or are protecting their babies.
How can I humanely and effectively deter raccoons from my yard?
There are ways to keep raccoons away from your property. Try using lights or sprinklers that scare them off, or make sure trash cans are closed tight. You can also block places where they might want to live. Using things like ammonia-soaked rags or fake predator urine can also help keep raccoons away.
