Living With Racoons

(SOUTHERN BRUCE COUNTY, ON) – The South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continues to receive reports of “sick Raccoons” across the detachment area. Police officers are always available to deal with urgent calls for service, but not for destruction or relocation of a healthy raccoon.

Raccoons have the same basic needs as humans – food, shelter and water. If you don’t want a raccoon to be attracted to your property, remove potential food sources:

Keep barbecues clean and covered when not in use
Store garbage in secure containers
Use a “raccoon proof” composter

To make your property unwelcome to raccoons:

Block access points to your attic, garage and outbuildings
Block access into crawl spaces and under decks
Install a chimney cap
If you have a pet door, lock it at night
Trim branches near buildings

If you find a raccoon den on your property, you can encourage them to relocate by:

Illuminating the den with a bright light
Place a radio near the den. Select a station with lots of talking, the human voice is threatening to raccoons
Place a urine soaked rag or urine soaked cat litter near the den. Like most animals, raccoons mark their spot with urine

A raccoon found wandering during daylight hours is rare, but it’s not an indicator that they’re sick. A healthy raccoon will forage for food during the day if they feel safe, or don’t get back to their den. A sick raccoon will have obvious sings: unsteady, trouble walking, “mangy” looking fur.

Anyone interested in more information can check the Ministry of Natural Resources website at http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca.

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