Raccoons may look cute and cuddly but make no mistake about it…raccoons are one houseguest that you do not want. Raccoons are a common nuisance in the southeast. They can make a home in the attic of a structure and cause several thousands of dollars in damage. Many times raccoons will make a home in an attic to have their babies, called kits. They typically have 3-8 young in the late fall. They can be a nuisance by getting into trashcans found outside of homes or business looking for food.
Along with the damage they can do to your home, they can also be a health concern:
- Carry rabies in their saliva which can be transported by their bites.
- Carry parasites on their fur that can impact both humans and animals.
- Can transfer roundworms and fleas that they carry on their fur.
- Female raccoons do not tend to be pack animals, however, males often form social groups to maintain their position against other males or predators.
- Raccoons become aggressive when protecting their young.
- Adaptable creatures. Raccoons can easily adapt to their environments.
The feeding of raccoons by people has helped grow their population in urban areas. Some wildlife experts and public authorities warn against feeding wild animals such as raccoons to discourage them from becoming dependent on humans as a food source.
Tip: Loud noises, flashing lights, and foul odors are said to drive away raccoons before they would typically leave the nest on their own.