What You Absolutely Must Avoid When Encountering a Raccoon
Seeing a raccoon can be fascinating, but dangerous. The most important thing to remember is to avoid direct interaction, as getting too close can result in bites, scratches, or the transmission of diseases.
Introduction: Understanding Raccoon Encounters
Raccoons, those masked bandits of the animal kingdom, are increasingly common sights in urban and suburban environments. While their curious nature and distinctive appearance might make you want to approach them, it’s crucial to remember that they are wild animals and potentially dangerous. Understanding what should you not do when you see a raccoon is essential for your safety and the well-being of the animal. Misguided interactions can lead to injury or encourage the raccoon to become habituated to humans, creating long-term problems for both.
The Dangers of Approaching Raccoons
Raccoons, despite their seemingly cuddly exterior, pose several risks. They can carry a variety of diseases, and a cornered or threatened raccoon will readily defend itself.
- Disease Transmission: Raccoons are known carriers of rabies, a fatal viral disease. They can also transmit roundworm, leptospirosis, and other zoonotic diseases.
- Bites and Scratches: A raccoon bite or scratch can easily become infected. Prompt medical attention is crucial if you are bitten or scratched.
- Aggression: While they might appear docile, raccoons are wild animals and can become aggressive, especially if they feel threatened or are protecting their young.
What Should You Not Do When You See a Raccoon?: Immediate Actions
The following are critical actions to avoid when you encounter a raccoon:
- Do not approach or attempt to touch the raccoon. Maintain a safe distance.
- Do not feed the raccoon. Feeding raccoons encourages them to associate humans with food, making them bolder and more likely to return.
- Do not corner or trap the raccoon. This will likely provoke an aggressive response.
- Do not make sudden movements or loud noises. This can startle the raccoon and cause it to react defensively.
- Do not attempt to capture or relocate the raccoon yourself. This is best left to trained professionals.
- Do not assume the raccoon is friendly. Even if it seems tame, it is still a wild animal.
Keeping Your Property Raccoon-Resistant
Preventing raccoon encounters is just as important as knowing what should you not do when you see a raccoon. These steps can help:
- Secure your garbage cans. Use tight-fitting lids or bungee cords to prevent raccoons from accessing food scraps.
- Remove potential food sources. Pick up fallen fruit from trees, clean up bird feeders, and avoid leaving pet food outside.
- Seal off access points. Check your home for holes or gaps in the foundation, roof, or siding and seal them.
- Trim tree branches. Keep tree branches trimmed away from your roof to prevent raccoons from climbing onto your property.
- Install motion-activated lights. These can deter raccoons from approaching your home at night.
Recognizing Signs of a Problem Raccoon
Certain behaviors can indicate a raccoon poses a greater threat or has become too comfortable around humans.
- Daytime activity: While raccoons are primarily nocturnal, seeing one during the day isn’t always cause for alarm. However, if a raccoon is consistently active during the day and appears unafraid of humans, it may be habituated or sick.
- Bold or aggressive behavior: If a raccoon approaches you or your pets, or if it hisses, growls, or bares its teeth, it is exhibiting aggressive behavior.
- Staggering or disorientation: These symptoms can indicate rabies or another illness.
- Foaming at the mouth: This is a classic sign of rabies and requires immediate attention.
If you observe any of these behaviors, contact your local animal control or wildlife services immediately. It is vital to remember what should you not do when you see a raccoon exhibiting such signs – keep your distance and call for professional help.
What to Do if Bitten or Scratched by a Raccoon
If you are bitten or scratched by a raccoon, take the following steps immediately:
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for several minutes.
- Apply an antiseptic to the wound.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Your doctor will assess the risk of rabies and other infections and may recommend a course of treatment, including rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
- Report the incident to your local animal control or health department. They will need to investigate the incident and potentially test the raccoon for rabies.
Table: Do’s and Don’ts When Encountering a Raccoon
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| ——————————————— | ——————————————— |
| Maintain a safe distance. | Approach or attempt to touch it. |
| Observe from afar. | Feed it. |
| Secure your garbage cans. | Corner or trap it. |
| Keep pets indoors or on a leash. | Make sudden movements or loud noises. |
| Call animal control if concerned. | Capture or relocate it yourself. |
| Wash any wound immediately if bitten/scratched. | Assume it is friendly. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it okay to feed a raccoon from a distance?
No, it is never okay to feed a raccoon. Feeding them encourages them to associate humans with food, making them bolder and more likely to return. This can create problems for you, your neighbors, and the raccoon itself. It also disrupts their natural foraging behaviors.
What should I do if a raccoon is in my yard during the day?
Seeing a raccoon during the day isn’t always a cause for alarm. If it appears healthy and is simply passing through, leave it alone. However, if it appears disoriented, aggressive, or sick, contact animal control. Knowing what should you not do when you see a raccoon acting strangely is key: do not approach it.
How can I tell if a raccoon has rabies?
Signs of rabies in raccoons include excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, staggering, disorientation, aggression, and unusual tameness. However, it’s important to note that not all rabid raccoons exhibit all of these symptoms. If you suspect a raccoon has rabies, do not approach it and contact animal control immediately.
Can I relocate a raccoon that is causing problems on my property?
It is generally illegal to relocate raccoons without the proper permits. Relocating them can also be harmful to the raccoon, as it may not be able to survive in a new environment. Contacting a wildlife removal service is often the best approach.
What should I do if my pet gets into a fight with a raccoon?
If your pet gets into a fight with a raccoon, seek veterinary attention immediately. Your vet will assess the risk of rabies and other infections and may recommend a booster shot. It’s also wise to contact animal control to report the incident.
How do I get rid of raccoons that are living under my deck or porch?
The best way to get rid of raccoons living under your deck or porch is to make the area unattractive to them. This might involve sealing off access points, removing potential food sources, and using deterrents such as motion-activated lights or noisemakers.
Are raccoon bites always dangerous?
Raccoon bites are always potentially dangerous due to the risk of rabies and other infections. Even if the bite seems minor, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately.
What kind of damage can raccoons cause to my home?
Raccoons can cause significant damage to homes. They can tear through roofs and siding, destroy gardens, and contaminate areas with their feces and urine. They also frequently damage wiring while searching for a place to nest. Prevention is key.
Is it safe to trap and release a raccoon on my property?
While trapping a raccoon on your own property might seem like a solution, it is generally not recommended. It can be stressful for the animal, and it may simply return. Moreover, in many jurisdictions, it’s illegal without a permit.
What are some natural ways to deter raccoons from my garden?
Some natural ways to deter raccoons from your garden include using strong-smelling substances such as peppermint oil or cayenne pepper, planting thorny bushes around the perimeter, and using motion-activated sprinklers.
If I see a baby raccoon alone, should I try to help it?
If you see a baby raccoon alone, do not immediately assume it is orphaned. The mother may be nearby foraging for food. Observe it from a distance for a few hours. If it still appears alone and distressed, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Why are raccoons so common in urban areas?
Raccoons are common in urban areas because they are highly adaptable and can thrive in human-modified environments. They can find food and shelter easily in urban areas, and they are relatively tolerant of human presence.