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Raccoons
Raccoons
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are a mid-sized Carnivoran (10-30lbs). They are highly adaptable and have thrived in urban settings. They are omnivorous and eat a variety of insects, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meats. Raccoons are generally active from dusk until dawn, but can occasionally be seen out during the day. Most of the time, raccoons are in their dens during daylight hours. These dens can take many forms, but are often hollows within trees. Raccoons are frequenlty hit by cars and can also be eaten by larger species like coyotes or birds of prey.
Raccoon Pathogens
Raccoon Pathogens
Raccoons carry a variety of pathogens. However, the pathogen of particular concern is raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis). The eggs of this worm are shed into the feces of raccoons and can be ingested from contaminated soils. When consumed by people, this worm can cause serious illness. To make matters worse, the eggs of this parasite are extremely difficult to kill and require boiling temperatures (not even bleach will do!) to become deactivated. Thus, they can be viable in the environment for several years. Children are most often infected as they are more likely to put contaminated soils in their mouth. Common Ground uses salvaged carcasses to monitor the prevalence of raccoon roundworm in our urban raccoons (and occasionally coyotes) to understand how much of this pathogen may be on our landscape and how it is distributed spatially.
For this reason, cleaning up raccoon latrines can be dangerous and precautions should be taken to protect oneself and to ensure that eggs aren't volatilized into the air while cleaning up. If you would like help cleaning up raccoon latrines, we offer these services.
Discouraging Raccoon Latrines
Discouraging Raccoon Latrines
Help lessen raccoon presence (and latrines) in your yard by reducing attractants such as unsecured trash or compost, fallen fruit, unsecured chicken coops, outdoor pet food, lawn grubs, and bird feeders.
If there is an active latrine in your yard, try to have it cleaned up frequently, or moving something on top of it so the raccoons can't access the area anymore. You can also try to water the area thoroughly so that it is muddy once the latrine is cleaned up. Some suggest putting plastic or tinfoil down around the latrine as raccoon paws are very sensitive and may not like the texture, though these methods are not yet scientifically vetted. Deterrants such as ammonia may also help, but again not scientifically vetted.
Common Ground hopes to test these and other non-lethal methods to discouraging raccoon presence and latrines around homes in the future!
Discouraging Raccoons from Houses/Structures
Discouraging Raccoons from Houses/Structures
Removing raccoons from a house often requires professional and live-trapping expertise. Unfortunately, live-trapped animals must be euthanized in the state of Washington after being trapped, so preventing their entry is best for you and them!
Secure entry points like doors, cat/dog doors, windows, crawlspaces, and attics. Additionally, make sure there are not gaps in any vents, roofing materials, and chimneys.
You may be able to encourage raccoons to leave buildings with strong scents such as rags soaked in ammonia or raccoon eviction fluid.
King County has created this guide to helping secure buildings and outdoor-cat homes from raccoons.
Common Ground hopes to test these and other non-lethal methods to discouraging raccoon presence in homes in the future!
Have questions about raccoons? Click below to see if it's already been answered, or submit a question to be answered!
Have questions about raccoons? Click below to see if it's already been answered, or submit a question to be answered!
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