Will a Raccoon Attack?

Raccoons are quirky, curious, and shy animals. But, when they invade your homestead, you can never desire to share a space with them. They damage your garden/lawn, litter your garbage, can be aggressive, and attack you, thus transmitting diseases. If you live in Maryland, don’t allow these creatures to mess up your home. 

Here at Shumaker’s, we specialize in animal control services. Are you wondering whether a raccoon can attack or when it can attack? In this post, we will answer your questions.

When will a Raccoon Attack?

Raccoons are creatures that retreat when they sense other animals or people. Although they are calm, they can be aggressive when confronted. While attacking, raccoons can bite or use their long, sharp claws to scratch you. Raccoons will attack or be aggressive in the following situations:

When they are attacked or cornered

Once a raccoon feels threatened, it will be aggressive and attack in self-defense. For instance, they will attack when your dogs/cats chase them in your small compound, cornering them in one place. Therefore, avoid attacking or trapping raccoons. Scare them while you’re away, and they’ll go.

While protecting their young ones

All mothers are very sensitive regarding their kids, whether human or animal. So, if the raccoons spot people or pets approaching their young ones, they will be more aggressive and fight back. Instead of attacking them, contact wildlife control professionals to relocate them from your homestead.

When they are sick

A sick raccoon is dangerous, and you should avoid it. The reason is; it attacks even without being provoked. Raccoons are known to carry so many diseases, including rabies. So, once it attacks you or your pets, it’s advisable to seek medical help immediately.

How to Prevent a Raccoon Attack

When you encounter raccoons in your homestead or yard, they are after three things; food, water, and shelter. If they lack the above, they won’t come to your home. How do you prevent them?

Secure Trash Cans

Raccoons are very clever. When they are looking for food, they detect the garbage smell and walk toward your garbage. They will either open the trash can lid or knock it down to get food. To hinder them from spilling your waste all over, ensure that you seal your lids tight enough.

Block all their Shelters

Raccoons love to shelter in enclosed dark spaces like under the woods or the bushes. In those dens, they’ll multiply and become disturbances in your home.  

Identify their hideouts and put barriers, and cover them entirely if they are not there at the moment. However, don’t risk yourself if they are there with their families. Contact wildlife control professionals to relocate them to a safe wildlife management area.

Do you have a swimming pool or other water features in your home? If yes, you’ll be attracting raccoons because apart from drinking, they do swim too. Ensure that you cover all the waters, including the pool, at night if you want your home to be free from these creatures.   

Reach Out to Shumaker’s Animal Control

Even though raccoons are shy animals, they can be a threat to you and your property. Once you spot them around, don’t try to attack them because they will be aggressive and might hurt you. Instead, call a professional animal control company to help you. 

At Shumaker’s, we can safely and humanely remove all the raccoons in your home. We will also seal all their entry points to prevent future invasions.

Reach out to us if you have a raccoon problem in Maryland. To get in touch with us, visit our website, check all our services, then fill out our contact form. You can also call us at 443-854-8072 for more information.