7 Things You Should Know About Raccoons

Key Takeaways

• Raccoons are highly adaptable omnivores that thrive in both natural and urban environments by eating almost anything available.
• Residential areas attract raccoons because they provide easy access to food, water, and shelter.
• Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, meaning most activity happens at night, while daytime sightings can indicate illness.
• Although they usually avoid people, raccoons can be dangerous if threatened and may also carry diseases and parasites.
• Raccoons can cause significant property damage and should be managed by removing attractants and sealing entry points.

Raccoons are some of nature’s most intelligent troublemakers, and while they may seem cute, they can cause serious problems around your Virginia home. From overturned trash cans to attic invasions, their presence can escalate quickly. If raccoons are becoming a neighborhood nuisance, you probably have questions, and Xceptional Wildlife Removal has the answers.

To help you out, we put together the seven most common raccoon-related questions our wildlife specialists receive. We’ll start with fast answers to each one before expanding into more detailed explanations. For more detailed information, just click the link to jump to the full answer below: 

• What do Raccoons Eat? Raccoons eat fruits, insects, small animals, pet food, bird seed, and food scraps.
• Why do Raccoons Come Into Residential Areas? Raccoons are attracted to easy access to food, water, shelter, and safe places to nest.
• When Are Raccoons Most Active? Raccoons are most active at night when they leave their dens to search for food.
• Are Raccoons Dangerous? In general, raccoons aren’t aggressive unless they’re backed into a corner or feel in danger. However, they can still pose a risk.
• Can Raccoons Damage a Home? Yes, raccoons can damage roofs, vents, insulation, soffits, and other parts of a home.
• How Can I Tell if Raccoons Are on My Property? Look for tracks, droppings, overturned trash, damaged areas, and nighttime noises.
• How Can I Keep Raccoons Away From My Home? Secure trash cans, remove food sources, and seal openings that raccoons can use.

Frequently Asked Questions About Raccoons

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most frequently asked questions people have about raccoons. If your question isn’t listed, we’re always here to help. Just reach out! Below, we’ll explore each answer in more detail: 

Q: What do Raccoons Eat?

Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal foods. Their diet is very flexible and can include fruits, berries, nuts, insects, worms, eggs, fish, frogs, small rodents, and even carrion. This adaptability helps them survive in a wide range of environments, from forests to urban neighborhoods.

In residential areas, raccoons often take advantage of human food sources. They commonly eat pet food left outdoors, garbage, bird seed, and food scraps from trash cans or compost piles. Because they are opportunistic feeders, raccoons will eat whatever is easiest to access, which is why securing food sources is important for prevention.

Q: Why do Raccoons Come Into Residential Areas?

Raccoons come into residential areas mainly because homes and neighborhoods provide easy access to food. Trash cans, pet food left outside, birdseed, fruit trees, and gardens all provide reliable food sources with very little effort compared to hunting in the wild. Raccoons are highly adaptable and quickly learn where people leave food available.

They also enter residential spaces in search of shelter and safe nesting sites. Attics, crawl spaces, sheds, and chimneys offer warmth and protection from predators and harsh weather. Once a raccoon finds a secure location, it may return or even raise its young there, especially if the area remains quiet and undisturbed.

Q: When Are Raccoons Most Active?

Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night, especially after sunset and through the early morning hours. This is when they typically leave their dens to search for food, water, and shelter.

Seeing a raccoon during the daytime is less common and can be a bad sign. While it is not always a sign of disease, daytime activity may indicate the animal is sick, stressed, or displaced, so it should be observed from a distance and not approached.

Q: Are Raccoons Dangerous?

While raccoons generally prefer to avoid people, they can become dangerous if they feel cornered, threatened, or are protecting their young. Raccoons have strong jaws, sharp teeth, and powerful claws that can cause injury if they attack. For this reason, it is important to keep your distance and never attempt to handle a wild raccoon.

Raccoons can also carry diseases and parasites that may affect people and pets. Rabies is one of the most well-known concerns, but raccoons may also spread distemper, leptospirosis, and raccoon roundworm. If you notice a raccoon behaving strangely, avoid contact and contact a wildlife professional for assistance.

Signs that a raccoon may be sick or infected with rabies include:

• Unusual Daytime Activity: Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, so activity during the day may indicate illness.
• Aggressive Behavior: Growling, charging, attacking, or showing little fear of people or pets can be warning signs.
• Disorientation: Confused movements, wandering, or walking in circles may indicate neurological problems.
• Difficulty Walking: Stumbling, dragging limbs, or appearing unable to maintain balance can signal serious illness.
• Drooling or Foaming: Heavy salivation, foaming at the mouth, or trouble swallowing are commonly associated with rabies.
• Strange Noises: Frequent screeching, chattering, or other unusual sounds may indicate distress or disease.
• Poor Physical Condition: Raccoons that appear weak, injured, lethargic, or unusually unkempt may be suffering from illness.

Q: Can Raccoons Damage a Home?

Yes, raccoons can cause significant damage to a home while searching for food or a place to den. They may tear shingles, damage soffits, pull apart vents, or widen existing openings to gain access to attics, crawl spaces, and other sheltered areas.

Once inside, raccoons can damage insulation, ductwork, wiring, and stored belongings. Their droppings and urine can also create unpleasant odors and contaminate affected areas, making cleanup and repairs necessary after an infestation.

Q: How Can I Tell if Raccoons Are on My Property?

One of the most common signs of raccoons on your property is evidence of their nighttime foraging. You may notice overturned garbage cans, scattered trash, damaged gardens, or missing pet food left outdoors. Raccoons are also known to leave behind distinctive tracks that resemble small handprints with five fingers.

If raccoons have taken shelter on your property, you may hear scratching, thumping, or movement noises coming from an attic, crawl space, chimney, or beneath a deck after dark. Other signs include droppings, torn vents or soffits, and visible damage around potential entry points. Because raccoons are primarily nocturnal, they are most often seen during the evening and overnight hours.

Q: How Can I Keep Raccoons Away From My Home?

Keeping raccoons away from your home starts with removing the food, water, and shelter that attract them. Raccoons are highly adaptable animals that take advantage of easy opportunities to find a meal or a safe place to den. 

The following prevention tips can help make your property less appealing to raccoons:

• Secure Trash Cans: Use tight-fitting lids, locks, or straps on garbage containers to prevent raccoons from accessing food waste.
• Seal Entry Points: Repair damaged vents, soffits, crawl space openings, and other gaps that raccoons could use to enter your home.
• Remove Outdoor Food Sources: Bring pet food and water bowls indoors at night and clean up any spilled food around feeding areas.
• Protect Gardens and Fruit Trees: Harvest fruits and vegetables as they ripen and remove fallen produce from the ground.
• Clean Up the Yard: Regularly remove birdseed, fallen nuts, and other food sources that may attract raccoons.
• Trim Tree Branches: Cut back branches that provide raccoons with easy access to your roof.
• Contact a Professional: If raccoons continue to visit your property or have entered your home, a raccoon control professional can help resolve the problem and prevent future activity.

Professional Raccoon Control with Xceptional Wildlife Removal

It’s tempting to try solving your raccoon issues on your own. While you might succeed occasionally, hiring a professional raccoon trapper is more effective. Professionals understand the legal and humane ways to handle raccoon removal.

DIY trapping is risky and frequently illegal, so we advise against it. Scaring raccoons can make them more hostile and won’t solve the problem in the long term. For 12 years, Xceptional Wildlife Removal has helped Virginia homeowners with swift, expert raccoon control and exclusion.

If you’re tired of raccoons scavenging on your property, call Xceptional Wildlife Removal for a free estimate and quick, effective help at the first sign of trouble!