What to do if a raccoon is in your backyard?

Spotting a raccoon or raccoons in your backyard can be startling — but in most cases, there's no immediate cause for alarm. Raccoons are nocturnal scavengers that wander into residential yards in search of food, water, or shelter. Here's exactly what to do, step by step.

A step-by-step response to raccoon(s) in your backyard

1. Stay calm and keep your distance: A raccoon passing through your yard is usually just them passing your yard. DO NOT approach, corner, or attempt to touch it. Raccoons will generally leave on their own if they don't feel threatened and don't find anything worth staying for.
2. Bring pets and children inside: As a precaution, bring dogs, cats, and children indoors until the raccoon has moved on. While raccoons rarely attack unprovoked, they will defend themselves if they feel cornered. They could potentially be carrying diseases like rabies and roundworm.
3. Do not feed it: Feeding a raccoon (even one time) trains it to return. A raccoon that associates your yard with food is much harder to discourage and may begin visiting regularly, bringing others with it over time.
4. Make some noise to encourage it to leave: If the raccoon isn't leaving on its own, making loud noises (such as clapping, shouting, or banging a pot) from a safe distance can startle it into moving along. Motion-activated lights or sprinklers also work well as a deterrent.
5. Remove food and water sources: After the raccoon leaves, take stock of what attracted it. Secure garbage bins, bring in pet food, remove fallen fruit, and empty any standing water. Eliminating these attractants is the single most effective way to prevent repeat visits.

When to be concerned: A raccoon that is active during the day, moving erratically, appears disoriented, or shows no fear of humans may be sick. DO NOT APPROACH IT. Keep everyone away and contact your local animal control or a licensed wildlife removal professional immediately.

If you suspect a raccoon has been nesting under your deck, in your attic, or in a crawl space, do not attempt to seal the entry while the animal may still be inside. A trapped raccoon will cause significant damage trying to escape.

When to call a wildlife pest professional

If raccoons are returning repeatedly, have found a way into your home, or you're dealing with a litter of kits (baby raccoons), it's time to bring in an expert. Licensed wildlife removal professionals can safely remove the raccoons, clean up any contamination, and seal entry points so it doesn't happen again.