Do Raccoons Hibernate in Winter? Their Cold-Season Lifestyle
October 31, 2024
Did you see a raccoon in the backyard at night? It is pretty normal but might scare you.
Raccoons are nocturnal beings, meaning they mostly sleep during the day and roam at night.
So, if you spot a raccoon living in your backyard at night, it is as simple as spotting a cat or dog in the U.S.
Still, you must be careful because they often carry rabies.
In this article, you will learn how to keep raccoons out of your backyard and why they roam there.
Why is there a raccoon in the backyard at night?
Raccoons are shy and afraid of light. They usually prefer dark places.
If your backyard is suitable for them, they are likely to inhabit it. They often change their shelters and find unique places to live in.
Another reason is finding food. Raccoons can eat everything.
If your backyard has garbage or trash cans, they will create a mess while searching for food. They often roll up sod and dig up soil in search of earthworms. They are known to drink from bird baths and swimming pools.
If food is not their primary target, they might seek shelter. Raccoons often look for quiet, dark, and warm places to seek shelter.
Female raccoons are more likely to do so to raise their young. If this is the case, you must be careful because handling them could make them aggressive.
If it is easy for them to get into your backyard, they will likely do so. Choose the fence that is difficult to climb. They are good climbers and can climb over any surface. Passing through small holes, even four inches wide, is pretty easy for them.
If they like your backyard, they will inhabit it or come here often.
At night, they are mostly active from sunset to midnight. Raccoons often make loud noises and fight with each other for food. Male raccoons often fight during the mating season. They can be a nuisance for anyone who is sleeping.
In short, spotting a raccoon in the backyard at night is not so surprising. They have their reasons for coming and inhabiting the places they like.
Raccoons are highly intelligent
To better handle them, it is important to understand their natural abilities.
Raccoons are highly intelligent animals good at problem-solving, critical thinking, and recalling past events.
The average lifespan of a raccoon in the wild is 2 to 3 years. Interestingly, they can recall memories up to 3 years old.
If you try to scare them today with a technique, it may not work tomorrow. If you hide or protect the food or anything they like, they will find a way to bypass your restrictions. They are very good at finding solutions to problems.
Their human-like hands help them open jars, search bins, and dig surfaces. Their body also helps them access various places, including attics.
Do not try to fool them with just one tactic. They will counter it soon!
What do raccoons hate the most?
They hate several things, including, but not limited to, certain smells, dogs, Great Horned Owls, coyotes, bobcats, cougars, and eagles. On the contrary, certain smells attract them.
They often avoid noisy and extremely bright places due to their nocturnal nature. These things will keep raccoons away from your house.
What damage do raccoons do to your property?
Besides being a nuisance, they also cause property damage. They search trash bins for food and mess it up. This mess can attract wild animals.
They enter houses and chew wires. They also dig up soil and ruin yards. Raccoons can live in a variety of habitats. They will find their way to enter your house by making small holes.
Female raccoons often raise their young in quiet and safe places. These could be your attics or crawl space.
They urinate wherever they want, leaving it for you to clean up. Raccoons often leave scratches on furniture.
In short, raccoons can be very harmful to you and your property.
How to get rid of a raccoon in the backyard at night?
As mentioned, the best way to deter them is to use what they hate the most.
You can also use motion-activated lights or sound players to scare a raccoon at night.
But they are very intelligent and will find a way to counter your tactics. Even if you scare them, they will not leave your property permanently. They can return, so you have to find a good solution.
Should I call for professional help?
If you spot a baby raccoon in the backyard at night and try to deter it, you are likely to get attacked by its mother.
They carry rabies, and their bites can transmit fatal diseases.
So, let a professional handle their presence.
We are experts in wildlife removal and extraction services. Our experts will help keep your house safe from raccoons. If a family of raccoons is living in your house, let us remove it safely without making you vulnerable to attack.
If raccoons come often, hire us for a satisfying solution!
- Raccoon in the Backyard at Night? What to Do? - November 11, 2024
- Do Raccoons Hibernate in Winter? Their Cold-Season Lifestyle - October 31, 2024
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