Raccoons: Coexisting with Wildlife

Background Information

• Project Wildlife admits over 200 raccoons each year. 
• Raccoons typically have their babies from April to September. 
• Raccoons are nocturnal (active at night) and are highly intelligent mammals that typically live in groups. 
• Raccoon populations are often found in suburban and urban areas where there is easy access to food and suitable shelter or nesting sites.
• It is important to know that raccoons can carry rabies. Trapping and relocating wildlife, including raccoons, is illegal and ineffective to resolving any issue raccoons may be posing. Removing items that attract wildlife and raccoon-proofing your home or property are the most humane and effective methods of deterring raccoons. 

When does a raccoon need to come to Project Wildlife for care? 

• Baby raccoons who are crying (sounds similar to puppies) and have no mother present may need to come to Project Wildlife. Raccoons have multiple nest sites, so if their nest is damaged or a baby falls, mom may just need time relocate her babies. Please refer to this renesting and reuniting resource for more information. 
• If the baby or adult is sick or injured. 

What to do if you find baby raccoons: 

Raccoons have multiple nest sites, so if their nest is damaged or a baby falls, mom may just need time relocate her babies. Mom spends a lot of time and energy raising her young. Mom won’t abandon her babies simply because you touched them. However, she will not return if you are too close to the baby or nest, as humans are perceived as threats. Always attempt to renest and reunite healthy young unless mom is found deceased. 

If you find a den with babies on your property and they are not posing any risk to themselves, people or pets, we recommend not disturbing them. Do not provide food, water or additional shelter, and do not interact with the raccoons. While we don’t recommend disturbing an active den and nesting location, we also do not recommend encouraging them to stay once the babies are independent nor get used to interacting with people and pets. 

If having an active den on your property is putting you, pets, the raccoons or other people at immediate risk, we recommend calling Project Wildlife at 619-299-7012 for further guidance. 

Coexisting with Raccoons:

• Secure trash can lids so that raccoons cannot get into them — keep trash cans in a shed or garage. 
• Eliminate access to food in your yard, place pet food inside, secure pet doors at night, pick up fallen fruit around the garden and restrict the use of birdseed. Raccoons eat insects, nuts, worms, frogs, shellfish, fish, mammals, birds, eggs, grubs, snakes and fruits. 
• In the wild, raccoons use tree hollows, hollow logs or sometimes rocky caverns for dens. In urban areas, raccoons may nest in drainpipes, basements, crawl spaces and house attics. Before baby season for raccoons, ensure access points to these areas are sealed up to avoid nesting raccoons. 
• If a raccoon is digging in the yard, sprinkle cayenne pepper to discourage grub-hunting. 
• Trim branches that provide access to the house, taking care not to disturb any active bird nests. 
• Bright lights, loud sounds and vinegar-soaked rags may help drive raccoons away.  
• The raccoon’s primary threats are humans, dog packs, traps and automobiles. If threatened, the raccoon will often try a counter threat, fluffing out its fur so that it appears larger and uttering a throaty growl or cry. Raccoons may appear bold but usually are not aggressive except during mating season or when defending their young. However, their strength, teeth and claws equip them to defend themselves effectively.