How to deal with a stray raccoon at your house

If a stray animal takes up residence at your house, it's best to call a professional. (Photo courtesy of Gregg Nelson)

Date Published: May 29 2012

Submitted by Gregg Nelson of Big Bear Wildlife Control

This time of year, I get a lot of calls about baby animals showing up at people's houses.

If you see a stray animal roaming around your house, the first thing to remember is not to touch it. Baby raccoons may have rabies, and you would never know it. If you touch a stray, your scent that is left on any animal will turn the mother away from taking them back.

If you come across a baby raccoon, it's likely the mom has been injured or killed. If one is lingering around your house, it is best to push the baby into a box with a stick and leave it in the shade close to where it was found.

It would be more humane to get an animal rehaber to take it or any nuisance wildlife control operator can euthanize it for a fee, which is a much better option than letting it die on it's own, which is likely to happen.

Baby squirrels seldom are seen, but again if you do see one, that means mom isn't around any more. Squirrel mothers are not the best at taking care of their young, as they have several litters each year, the next time being around August. I usually let them fend for themselves if possible.

If you see a stray baby animal or have any questions on what to do, contact a local pest control specialist or your local wildlife department.

Big Bear Wildlife Control is located in East Haven, Conn. As of May 31, 2012, this service provider was highly rated on Angie’s List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check AngiesList.com for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie’s List.

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Animal removal

Unwanted pests and critters that enter your home and attic can cause potential damage to your house and leave hazardous material behind. A pest control specialist can help eradicate them from your home. (Photo courtesy of Angie's List member Gerry Z.)

Animals are opportunists. Once they get access to an attic, they make themselves at home. Getting them to move out, and stay out, may require the services of an animal removal professional.

Comments

baby rabbits

Permalink Submitted by Dianna Moll on Fri, 2012-07-20 15:13

We've had several baby rabbits in our yard. We've moved them at different times for different reasons and the mother has always come back. We don't handle them any more than is necessary but it's not totally true that the mother won't care for them if they have human scent. I've handled a baby bird too and the mother resumed caring for it after I moved it to safety. If fact, she was screeching at me the entire time. Also, it's pretty inhumane to euthanize baby animals when wildlife control can take them and prepare them to be released back into the wild when they are old enough.

Most mothers won't reject babies for human scent

Permalink Submitted by Kathy on Fri, 2013-05-17 02:38

Thanks for posting that mothers come back. It's a long held belief that babies will be rejected if they smell like a human, but research has found that it is not true for rabbits, birds, skunks and cats. This was probably someone who removes and kills for a living.

Raccoons and deadly roundworms

Permalink Submitted by Marilyn Brothers on Sat, 2012-07-21 12:43

Please do not handle raccoons and racoon feces. 80% of all raccoon feces contain a roundworm that if accidently ingested can cause damage to humans, especially children. Please look up "raccoon roundworms" and read about the problems that handling raccoons and their feces can cause. It can even be fatal.

This is Not True

Permalink Submitted by AJ on Fri, 2012-07-27 18:35

Baby raccoons, if you can get them to eat (and they eat LOTS), can be human raised just fine. And when I couldn't care for them, I took them to a wildlife refuge; I didn't even THINK about euthanizing them. A few weeks of antibiotics and rehab and an adult raccoon with a broken jaw I found healed up nicely and was released back into the wild. Baby squirrels and raccoons I've found also did well. Killing them is awful and should not be the first thing anyone thinks of. This article was clearly written by an idiot with little animal knowledge.

Baby Animals

Permalink Submitted by Karen Tate on Tue, 2013-03-26 12:34

Please Please Please never call anyone but a wildlife rehabber for Baby Animals as big bear wildlife said they will be euthanized by anyone other than rehabbers.... just because they are in your vicinity. and they often do very well once rehabbed and put back in the wild.Wildlife and Wildlife Babies deserve the chance to live a full and happy life. Babies most especillay.... please don't compound the orphan babies by euthanizing them on top of losing their parent. Please have a heart!!

Baby wild animals.

Permalink Submitted by Steven Moshlak on Fri, 2013-05-17 11:42

Hawks, vultures and eagles have to eat, too and they have young chicks, who have to eat, as well.

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