What To Do If You See a Raccoon During the Day?

Although many people assume a raccoon that's out during the day must be infected with rabies, this isn't always the case. Here are a few reasons why raccoons may be out during the day and how raccoon removal in Oshawa can help eliminate raccoons from your property.

Why are Raccoons Out During the Day?

Because raccoons are nocturnal animals, they aren't usually out during the day. However, if they are, it could be because they're scavenging for food. Mothers particularly need nourishment to produce enough milk to feed their babies, so they may be out frequently to find adequate food. Raccoons are also notorious for digging through garbage to find leftover scraps of food. If you find that your garbage is continually being invaded, you may be faced with an infestation. Raccoons can also be out during the day looking for a new place to build their den. Whether their previous den had become unsafe due to a predator or a homeowner has sealed off the entrance to deter them from the property, they need to find a new home in order to survive.

What Do You Do if You See a Raccoon During the Day?

If you see a raccoon during the day, the most important thing to do is to not approach it. If it appears to be behaving strangely, it may be infected with rabies. Some signs to look out for include:

• Confusion or disorientation
• Foaming at the mouth
• Trouble walking
• Repeated high-pitched noises
• Matted body hair
• Heavy breathing

Rabies can be deadly if it isn't treated promptly, as the virus will attach to nerve cells and wreak havoc on your nervous system. If you've been bitten by a raccoon, it's important that you seek medical attention right away. Even if the raccoon doesn't look ill, it probably doesn't want to be bothered while it's foraging for food. Raccoons are stronger than they appear and will attack if they feel threatened, especially mothers who need to protect their young. While there are many reasons that a raccoon can be out during the day, none of them involve wanting to be in contact with a human. Therefore, be sure to keep your distance and don't provoke or confront the raccoon.

How Can You Prevent a Raccoon Attack?

While the best way to prevent a raccoon attack is to avoid confrontation, there are some other steps you can take to deter raccoons. It may sound obvious, but you should never feed them. They're skilled at finding their own food, and feeding them will only teach them to associate humans with food. This can cause them to behave more aggressively to get what they want from you. Be sure to protect your garbage can or garden to prevent raccoons from taking advantage. Because raccoons are nocturnal, they thrive in the darkness and quiet. Therefore, making your property an unwelcoming environment can be a great way to deter them. Put up bright lights or turn on music to let them know that they're not welcome. You can also create a solution of garlic and cayenne pepper and spray it around your property. These compounds are known deterrents and can discourage raccoons from invading your property.

How Raccoon Removal in Oshawa

Although these tips and tricks can help temporarily deter raccoons, they're smart animals and will often find another way to invade your property. Therefore, the best way to eliminate them once and for all is to enlist the help of a skilled professional. At Skedaddle, we're trained in raccoon removal and can safely and humanely remove them from your home or surrounding property. Call Skedaddle today to learn more about our raccoon removal services.