So you have encountered a raccoon baby on your property? Well, there is always a chance of finding baby raccoons in the attic (they tend to love the attic), alongside an adult female. The problem with baby raccoons is that they are not easy to trap- they must be removed by hand. You can always call your local wildlife control service for assistance if you find it hard to catch them. If you are confident enough to eliminate them, here are a few useful tips on how to react upon finding a baby raccoon so as to minimize risk, damage, and harm.
• Keep an Eye Out of the Baby
Once you spot a baby raccoon, be sure to keep an eye out for it. This means checking to see if it’s orphaned or has a mother. Sometimes, the mother raccoon can leave for hours but always returns to her babies. If the mother fails to return after a long period of time, then you can simply assume it’s orphaned. Be sure to notify your local wildlife rehabilitation center.
If the mother is around, try to trap and cage her till you catch the baby.
• Check the baby for injuries or sickness
If the baby is orphaned, chances are that it’s sick, injured, or lethargic. If you spot any signs of injury, sickness or injury, do not take matters into your own hands. Immediately contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center. Furthermore, raccoons are highly susceptible to rabies, so it’s not advisable to try and treat it yourself.
• Wait for the Mother to Move the Baby
In most cases, raccoon mothers often create different rearing den sites. When the time comes, she begins to move the babies from the first den. This may happen fast especially if the first den has lately experienced disturbances such as construction noise, a distraction from pets, owner, or even pesticides. If there is more than one baby, it might take a while for the mother to move them. All the same, it’s worth the wait especially if the new den is outside your property.
• Discourage the raccoons from settling on your property
Getting rid of baby raccoons can be a daunting task. So it’s best to prevent them from accessing your property in the first place. Since they tend to prefer dark and quiet habitats with a good food source, it’s advisable to install outdoor lights, seal your trash cans, and play loud music in possible habitats. They will find it hard to live there and ran off.
Although they are pretty interesting, raccoons can be a nuisance to have around. Baby raccoons tend to be fragile and so care must be taken when getting rid of them. Remember to call for assistance if the situation gets out of hand.