Raccoons

The common raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a highly adaptable and intelligent mammal found throughout North Carolina. Key facts include:

Range: Found in every county in North Carolina, raccoons inhabit forests, urban areas, and wetlands.
Activity: Nocturnal, primarily active at night while foraging for food.
Peak Activity: Most active during the warmer months (spring and summer), particularly in the evenings.
Mating: Breeding occurs in late winter to early spring, with gestation lasting about 63 days.
Birth: Females typically give birth to litters of 2-7 kits in late spring.
Social Behavior: Generally solitary but may be found in small family groups during the breeding season or when females are raising young.
Diet: Omnivorous, raccoons eat a varied diet including fruits, nuts, insects, small animals, and human food scraps.
Predators: Common predators include coyotes, great horned owls, and larger mammals.

Interesting Facts:

Raccoons have a keen sense of touch and are known for their dexterity; they can manipulate objects with their front paws.
Their distinctive facial markings and ringed tails make them easily recognizable.
Raccoons are excellent climbers and often take refuge in trees and rooftops.
Known for their intelligence, raccoons can solve complex problems and remember solutions for at least three years.

Humans may encounter challenges with raccoons due to their natural behaviors:

Common Occurrences:

Nesting in attics, basements, or garages, often in search of shelter and safety for their young.
Rummaging through garbage cans or outdoor pet food dishes, leading to property damage and mess.
Noise disturbances during nighttime foraging or nesting activities.

Uncommon Occurrences:

Potential transmission of zoonotic diseases, such as raccoon roundworm or rabies, especially if raccoons are handling food or items contaminated by their droppings.
Damage to gardens and yards as raccoons search for food, such as digging for bulbs or fruits.

It's important to recognize that raccoons are usually attracted to human environments due to the availability of food and shelter.

Issues with raccoons can be addressed through various means:

DIY Solutions:

Secure trash cans: Use raccoon-proof containers and avoid leaving out food scraps.
Install caps on chimneys and screens on vents to prevent entry into attics.
Remove outdoor food sources: Keep pet food indoors and clean up fallen fruits or birdseed from the ground.
Use motion-activated deterrents: Lights or sprinklers may help scare raccoons away from yards.

Professional Wildlife Control: Seek expert assistance for:

Proper species identification to ensure humane and effective intervention.
Safe and humane trapping and relocation, especially if raccoons are in living spaces.
Exclusion services to seal potential entry points and minimize future encounters.
Home inspections to identify and address attractants and nesting behaviors.