The raccoon is one of our most common native species. This "masked bandit" can be found almost anywhere- from seashores to marshes to suburbia. Although naturally shy, they may become bold once they're familiar with people. Raccoons are at least as intelligent as dogs and cats and possess far greater manual dexterity. Being very adaptable, raccoons may choose their dens either above or below ground, in tree cavities, chimneys, storm drains, crawl spaces, attics and brush piles.

Loss of habitat has caused the raccoon to be a very common denizen of most neighborhoods. Well-meaning residents who intentionally feed these animals often get more than they bargain for; one well-fed raccoon will have a tendency to bring his friends and family along for a handout. Pretty soon this little group will take over the area, wrecking havoc with trash cans, fruit trees and domestic pets. Eradication or relocation of these animals is neither recommended nor humane,

HOW TO CO-EXIST

• Make trash cans unappealing. Cover them securely and keep them in the garage til trash day if possible, or pour ammonia or pepper in the trash can to discourage the raccoons.
  
  
• Do not keep pet food outdoors. Feed your pets indoors, or outdoors in the daytime, and remove the food before evening when the raccoons are more likely to be scavenging.
  
  
• Pick your fruit and vegetable crops as soon as they ripen and don't leave rotted fruit and vegetables on the ground. Low-voltage hot wire fencing, and tape recorded human noises may save your crops.
  
  
• Do home repairs in the fall. This will prevent nursing babies with mother and hibernating raccoons from being trapped inside. Home repairs to deter raccoons might include capping the chimney, roof repairs, lattice work or 1/4" mesh hardware cloth on all vents, crawl spaces, attic gables, or other exterior accesses to buildings.
  
  
• Trim tree limbs away from the roof and trim vegetation to prevent it from covering foundation walls.
  
  
• Moth balls or ammonia soaked rags placed in areas may deter raccoons. Make sure the animal is gone when you place these deterrents.
  
  
• A portable radio in an attic or crawl space or other raccoon "den" for a couple of days will generally cause the raccoon to pack up and move to quieter surroundings.
  
  
• Clear brush piles from your property to eliminate nesting sites.
  
  
• Protect fish ponds by covering them with nylon netting in the evenings when raccoons are most likely to develop an appetite for one of their favorite delicacies.
  
  

BENEFITS
In addition to being entertaining to watch (at a distance). raccoons are great at helping control rodent and insect populations.

Click here for a printable collection of the articles listed above from the booklet "Bats In Your Belfry, Tips On Co-Existing With Urban Wildlife."