Problems caused by Raccoons
Left in their natural environment, raccoons are no problem to people. In fact, these little mammals have been known to make very interesting and entertaining pets, although they can be somewhat hard to manage. A large part of the problems that raccoons cause in urban settings are due to a couple of basic facts about their biology; namely their willingness to eat just about anything and their keen intelligence. Let’s take a look at a few of the problems that raccoons can cause, in their pest mode.
* Damage. Raccoons have earned a bit of a reputation as vandals, although they do not necessarily go out of their way to damage property. Instead, damage that they cause can be attributed to their search for food. Raccoons are problem solvers and will try a number of different methods in order to reach a possible food source, and that can lead to dented garbage cans, wrecked birdhouses, garbage strewn about yards and sheds, and chewed through packaging.
* Thievery. Raccoons are also notorious thieves, and can’t resist shiny objects. They carry their Preciousses back to their dens like cute versions of Gollum, never to be seen by human eyes again. Most of the time the trinkets they pick up aren’t too important, but if a raccoon has figured out how to get in through a pet door (which they often do!) some of your valuables may be in trouble.
* Threats. Raccoons are not a very big threat to people, but they may be dangerous for pets. Cats and even dogs can be attacked by raccoons who feel threatened or just aggressive; some pest control officers think cats are sometimes mistaken for other raccoons and are attacked due to territorial concerns, then further mauled when they are found to be cats. Dogs will often seek to worry a raccoon only to find that they have tackled more than they can handle; a large boar raccoon can do some serious damage even to a big dog.
* They can cost you quite a bit of money. Once a group of raccoons has figured out where they can get at some food, they are likely to return until all the food has disappeared. Raccoons are particularly fond of pet food, and can easily get into bags or eat out of the dish you leave for your pet on the porch.
* Diseases. Much has been made about raccoons and rabies, but evidence suggests that the strain of the disease is more of a threat to pets than to people. Only one person has been recorded as dying from a rabies strain transmitted by a raccoon. Pets, on the other hand, will have to be put down if they contract rabies from a diseased raccoon. Still, any kind of rabies is unpleasant and if you notice a raccoon about in the day time, acting aggressive and disoriented, there is a possibility it is infected and you should stay out of the way and phone animal control immediately.