One of the more frequent visitors to homes in Lake County is the raccoon. Just about every residence has had raccoons show up at one time or another. There have been many reported cases of raccoons getting into attics, garages or even inside homes.
In fact, a few years ago a woman who lives in a Lakeport mobile home park said she got out of bed one morning to find three raccoons sleeping on the carpet in her living room. It happened again two days later. Apparently the raccoons had learned how to open her screen door, so she ended up changing the lock and that solved the problem.
Raccoons visit homes for food and shelter. Putting out cat or dog food is a sure way to draw raccoons. Getting rid of them is a whole lot tougher. According to Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) laws it’s illegal to trap and relocate a raccoon or any other wildlife although you can hire a licensed trapper to do the job.
The raccoon is most active at night and adapts extremely well to urban and suburban environments where it often dens in backyards, beneath decks or in accessible outbuildings. Attics, chimneys and the spaces beneath houses are also used as dens if access can be gained. Because they are active mainly at nighttime, raccoons are often present but may go undetected for some time. Their nighttime activity is one reason we see so many dead raccoons on our roads. They walk down roads and get hit by cars.
Why do raccoons have the dark facemask? Scientists say the purpose of the facemask allows them to see better at night. In other words, it shades the eyes. This is an evolutionary change that has happened down through thousands of years. Raccoons have been around for several million years.
Raccoons are known to carry a number of diseases and internal parasites. The raccoon roundworm, an infection spread to people by the accidental ingestion or inhalation of roundworm eggs from raccoon feces, has caused increased concern in recent years. Roundworm infection can cause serious disabilities and young children are thought to be most susceptible. Dogs and cats also can be infected by roundworm.
Unlike other wild animals, raccoons normally poop in the same place day after day. Scientists call this their latrine. Experts say to always wash your hands thoroughly after being near raccoon poop as the roundworm eggs can attach themselves to sticks and other debris. This is especially true for children. Raccoons are carriers of rabies and distemper. Be sure pets are properly vaccinated to mitigate this threat.
The fact that raccoons use their hands as tools and as one of their most important sensory organs has led to the myth that raccoons wash their food. Raccoons in captivity have been observed “washing” their food, which is actually repeated dipping and rolling of food items in water. This behavior has led to a widespread belief that raccoons wash their food before eating or that they need to soften their food. This behavior is not really washing and food preparation, but an outlet for a raccoon’s constant need to use its hand to sense the world and search for food.
In the wild raccoons are constantly dabbling in water and searching in nooks and crannies. While in captivity this behavior finds an outlet in food “washing.” Some biologists have described the behavior more as feeling than washing, and this description is supported by the fact that raccoons often rub and roll their food even in dry enclosures. They also rub their hands together even when they are not holding anything.
Getting rid of that troublesome raccoon isn’t always easy. A depredation permit can be obtained if the situation warrants it. There is also a federal trapper in Lake County who can help. Call the Lake County Department of Agriculture at (707) 263-1052 for more information.
Along with possums and skunks, raccoons are showing up more and more around residences in Lake County.
