Raccoon, Procyon lotor

Raccoons eat mice, small birds, snakes, frogs, insects, crawfish, grass, berries, acorns, corn, melons — the list is almost endless. Garbage cans and dumps can be a major source of food in urban areas. Field crops or gardens near wooded areas may suffer severe damage from raccoons. Ripening corn is frequently eaten and much is wasted (Conover 1987). They raid nesting cavities of birds (Lacki et al. 1987). They will on occasion kill small lambs, usually by chewing the nose. Occasionally, raccoons enter poultry houses and take several birds in one night. The breast and crop can be torn and chewed, and the entrails some-times are eaten. There may be bits of flesh near water. Eggs may be removed from poultry or game bird nests and eaten away from the nest. Rearden (1951) found that eggshells were located within 28 feet (9 m) of the nest.

The raccoon leaves a distinctive five-toed track that resembles a small human hand print. Tracks are usually paired, the left hind foot beside the right forefoot (Murie 1954). Raccoon and opossum tracks can be difficult to distinguish in soft sand where toes do not show.

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusion

Usually the best method for coping with almost all types of raccoon damage.

Habitat Modification

Remove obvious sources of food or shelter around the premises; usually not practical as a sole method of controlling damage.

Frightening

Several methods may be effective, but only for a short time.

Repellents, Toxicants, and Fumigants

Capsaicin is registered for raccoons. It may be useful in deterring trash raiding raccoons.

Trapping

Cage traps, body-gripping, and foothold traps are very effective, especially in conjunction with exclusion and/or habitat modification.

Shooting

Can be very effective, particularly if trained hounds are used to tree the raccoons. Local regulations may apply.