Mammals – Racoon/Skunk/Fox/Opossum FAQs
- There are raccoons nesting in my chimney/attic…
- There is a raccoon trapped inside a garbage dumpster…
- There is a skunk with his head caught in a hole at the base of a garbage dumpster…
- There is a raccoon in my yard but it’s daytime – is it rabid?
- My neighbor has hired someone to trap all the raccoons in his yard – is this legal?
- An opossum, skunk, fox has wandered into my garage and it won’t leave…
- There is a skunk/raccoon wandering around my yard with a jar on his head…
- Raccoons are constantly knocking down my garbage cans…
- Raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossums are coming in my house through my cat door…
- My neighbor is cutting down an old a tree with a raccoon family in it…
- There is a raccoon/fox going after my chickens in the coop…
- I have a bird feeder hanging near my house and squirrels and raccoons keep knocking it down.
- There is a raccoon/skunk that keeps coming on my deck…
- I have a raccoon, skunk, opossum, fox under my porch, shed, house…
- There is a skunk in my window well…
- There are raccoons nesting in my chimney/attic…
- Prevention: place a CHIMNEY CAP on your chimney. This will prevent rain, birds, squirrels and raccoons from entering your chimney while allowing smoke to escape unhindered. Chimney sweeps can install a chimney cap for you or you can purchase one at your local hardware store. Remember, raccoons and other animals are attracted to your chimney because it resembles a hollow tree!!!
- If a mother raccoon or other animal has already chosen your chimney as a nest site the best thing you can do is leave them be. It will only be a matter of a few weeks before the babies start venturing out with their mothers. In the interim, make sure the flue is tightly closed and put a piece of plywood in front of fireplace.
- NEVER MAKE A FIRE!!! Baby animals will not be able to escape and will be badly burned!
- If you must remove the raccoons, some research has found that mother raccoons may have an alternate nesting site. Only after dark: Ammonia soaked rags can be placed at base of fireplace (or in your attic) as well as a radio on a talk radio station to make the area unappealing for the mother. Remember that the mother raccoons will move their babies on their own in a few weeks; it is best to be patient.
- Never trap animals! This will only orphan babies and will create a void, which other animals will quickly fill.
- Once you are certain the mother and babies have left, place a chimney cap on chimney and trim branches which hang over your house and/or place four-foot high metal flashing around the base of trees providing access to your roof.
- There is a raccoon trapped inside a garbage dumpster…
- Place a plank of wood or a thick tree branch at a 45-degree angle to act as a ramp..
- When you’re sure the raccoon has left, keep top closed & remove debris from around dumpster which provides access.
- There is a skunk with his head caught in a hole at the base of a garbage dumpster…
- Holes at base of dumpsters are used for loading dumpsters into trucks. These holes should be kept capped.
- Skunks will not spray you if they can’t see you.
- Call WIC for help or using heavy leather gloves pour a little olive oil on skunk’s neck & gently from inside and out ease the skunks head out.
- There is a raccoon in my yard but it’s daytime – is it rabid?
- Healthy mother raccoons are often active during the day foraging for extra food.
- Unless raccoon, skunk, fox is falling over to one side, showing signs of paralysis, or unprovoked aggression leave it be. Don’t panic at the mere sight of a raccoon!!
- Remember: We have very long days during the summer months, nocturnal animals will often start to emerge from there dens before dark. This only means that they are hungry.
- My neighbor has hired someone to trap all the raccoons in his yard – is this legal?
- Trapping raccoons or any wild animals en masse is illegal. During spring and summer months the raccoon or any mammal trapped is most likely to be a nursing female!
- The arbitrary killing of raccoons has proven to be an ineffective tactic in eliminating rabies from a particular area. In reality, raccoons that are trapped and killed are usually healthy animals. Studies of raccoons in epizootic areas indicate that more than 20 % of the raccoon population have a natural immunity to rabies, according to the Rabies Unit of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy, naturally immune individuals should be left in the population to act as a buffer for humans and pets.
- You are more likely to be struck by lightening than you are to contract rabies.
- Not a single human death has resulted from exposure to a rabid raccoon. The 2 or 3 human deaths each year in the U.S. have been attributed to the bat strain or the canine strain contracted overseas.
- There are five fairly species specific strains of rabies: bat, raccoon, skunk, fox, canine (coyote and domestic dog). In Connecticut we have the raccoon and bat strain. Most raccoons do not have rabies (more than 20% are actually immune), and less than 1% of bats have rabies.
- Raboral VRG oral rabies vaccine has virtually wiped out rabies in Europe and is currently being used very effectively in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont and many other states.
- VACCINATE YOUR PETS!!! ESPECIALLY CATS!!!
- An opossum, skunk, fox has wandered into my garage and it won’t leave…
- Turn all lights off, after dark make a trail of cheese or canned cat food out the door.
- Use an 8 inch thick line of flour in front of entrance to make sure it has left and if it has left CLOSE DOOR!
- There is a skunk/raccoon wandering around my yard with a jar on his head…
- Peanut butter jars left out in recycling containers should be washed well with soap.
- While wearing gloves gently twist off jar. Or place a garbage can or laundry basket with a rock on top over the skunk or raccoon to contain him and quickly call WIC or local animal control officer for help.
- Raccoons are constantly knocking down my garbage cans…
- Use a wooden hinged box (place cans inside) which can be purchased at hardware stores. Seal bags.
- Put garbage cans out in the morning and use garbage cans with screw on lids.
- Keep garbage cans inside your garage for pick up.
- Raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossums are coming in my house through my cat door…
- KEEP CATS INSIDE!!!
- Remove food source which is attracting animals.
- Use magnetized collars and doors.
- My neighbor is cutting down an old a tree with a raccoon family in it…
- Hollow trees (SNAGS) provide a vital source of food and shelter for wildlife.
- Never cut trees in spring and summer, cut in winter instead. PLEASE!!!
- There is a raccoon/fox going after my chickens in the coop…
- Build a sturdy fence out of hardware cloth with a 6 inch lip on outside dug into ground 6 inches or line the floor with wire. Chicken wire is inadequate, it’s too flimsy and raccoons can grasp chickens through it. Put a secure, well-built roof on your coop.
- I have a bird feeder hanging near my house and squirrels and raccoons keep knocking it down.
- There are all sorts of fancy feeders out there. The Birds Nest in Ridgefield and the Duncraft catalogue carries a wide variety of feeders and baffles. A raccoon baffle on a sturdy pole 5 feet away from trees works best.
- Never feed birdseed laced with cayenne pepper/active ingredient capsaicin it is an irritant and can make small bird and squirrels quite ill.
- There is a raccoon/skunk that keeps coming on my deck…
- Remove the cat/dog food that is likely attracting raccoon/skunk.
- I have a raccoon, skunk, opossum, fox under my porch, shed, house…
- Before spring you can coax it out with ammonia soaked rags and a light or a radio. Only place these things around the area at night. Be sure you close off opening with hardware cloth once you are sure animal is gone for 2 consecutive nights. Use an 8 inch thick band of flour at entrance and look for tracks to make sure the animal is gone.
- If babies are involved please try to wait a few weeks until they are old enough to follow mother.
- There is a skunk in my window well…
- If it is a shallow window well: at a 45 degree angle or less place a wooden plank with cleats or chicken wire stapled to it, with a trail of canned cat food or cheese up it. (skunks don’t see or climb very well).