Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center

Raccoon (Rabies Vector Species)
Procyon lotor

Raccoons are one of the few species of wild animals that appear to have benefited from contact with humans. They have shown no trouble adapting to suburban and even urban environments.

Habitat: Raccoons prefer woodlands, but they also thrive along seashores and live in prairie grasslands.

Diet: Raccoons have a highly varied diet. The main foods in their diet are fruits, vegetables, acorns, earthworms, fish, and crayfish.

Public Health Issues Associated with Raccoons

• Raccoons are primary carriers of the rabies virus.

• Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis), associated with raccoons, can infect humans who accidentally ingest or inhale eggs that are passed through raccoon feces.

• Raccoons are also hosts for leptospirosis and giardiasis.

Problems Associated with Raccoons

• Raccoons can be real nuisances by occupying chimneys or invading campgrounds and gardens.

Solutions

• The only long-term means of coping with raccoons is to exclude them from areas where they are not wanted.

• Cap chimneys so that raccoons cannot move into them. (Before capping, make sure there are no raccoons already in the chimney.)

• Avoid leaving food in an area that is accessible to raccoons.

Additional Notes

If an animal is frequenting an area and is not wanted, use these simple deterrents:

• Once an evening for four or five consecutive evenings, soak rags with ammonia and place them around the area.

• Most important, remove dog or cat food from the area. Only feed your pets as much as they can eat at one time.