a raccoon eating a nut

Raccoons Those Rascally Rovers

Overview of the Raccoon

Raccoons, those masked bandits of the backyard, are surprisingly widespread across the United States. These adaptable creatures can be found in almost every state, though their population tends to be denser in the eastern and midwestern regions. While they’re active year-round, raccoons are most noticeable during the warmer months when they’re foraging for food and raising their young.

raccoons on a tree

These omnivorous critters have a diverse diet, feasting on everything from insects and berries to small mammals and even garbage. In fact, their love for human-provided food is a major reason for their conflict with us. They have learned that humans provide regular tasty meals year round and seek us out looking for that free/easy meal. Additionally, as we develop more into their space, they find humans closer than ever before. 

Fun Fact: Raccoons have incredible dexterity. Their hands are so skilled that they can even open complex locks!

Signs of Raccoons on Your Property

If you suspect raccoons are visiting your property, you can look for these telltale signs:

  • Trash Issues: Overturned or ripped garbage cans is the classic movie referenced sign.
  • Damage to Property: Raccoons can cause damage to attics, chimneys, and siding as they search for entry points. Capable of prying open areas of a home like a tin can. 
  • Footprints: Check for small, five-toed prints in muddy areas or soft soil.
  • Daytime Activity: While primarily nocturnal, raccoons might be seen during the day if their food sources are limited.
  • Dens: Look for nests in trees, attics, or under sheds.
  • Excrement: Raccoons prefer to name an area their bathroom and then focus their waste collection there. This means that when you find raccoon poop… you probably will find a lot.

Raccoon Breeding Season

Raccoon breeding typically occurs from late winter to early spring. After a gestation period of around 63 days, a litter of 3-7 kits is born in early summer. The kits are blind and helpless at birth, relying entirely on their mother for care. Raccoon mothers are very parental and protective of their young. If they detect a threat, you may even see a momma raccoon carrying her babies (one at time) to another den site. If they do this, you may find a baby by itself. The mother will most likely come back if you place the baby somewhere safe so it is best to leave the babies alone if you find them. 

Fun Fact: Did you know that raccoons have an average 7 den sites complete with food stores? They are ready to bug out to an alternative site at any time. 

Raccoons’ Role in the Ecosystem

Despite their reputation as pests, raccoons play a vital role in the ecosystem. As omnivores, they help control insect populations and disperse seeds through their diet. Additionally, they serve as prey for larger predators, contributing to the overall balance of the food chain. 

Making Your Home Less Inviting to Raccoons

To deter raccoons from your property, follow these tips:

  • Secure Your Trash: Invest in heavy-duty trash cans with tight-fitting lids or store garbage in a secure garage or shed.
  • Eliminate Food Sources: Remove pet food, birdseed, and fallen fruit from your yard.
  • Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for potential entry points and seal any gaps or holes.
  • Use Repellents: Commercial raccoon repellents can be effective, but always follow the product instructions.
  • Habitat Modification: Trim tree branches away from your roof and remove potential den sites like wood piles or brush.
  • Scare Tactics: Motion-activated sprinklers or loud noises can deter raccoons.

Recapping Raccoons

Whether you call it a raccoon, a bandit, a trash panda or anything else, you can’t deny these cute mammals with their opposable thumbs are super fun to watch. And while living with them in the neighborhood is typically not an issue, sometimes these fluffy garbage collectors bring chaos to our lives. When that happens, it is best to enlist the help of professionals like Prickly Pear who can help you secure your home while letting the raccoon continue to exist in peace. 

Skunks in the forest

Skunks: The Striped Defenders

Skunks. The mere mention conjures up images of foul smelling sprays and frantic retreats. Yet, beneath that infamous odor lies a fascinating creature with a vital role in the delicate balance of nature, even in urban environments. Let’s dig into the world of skunks, exploring their defense mechanism (their smell), preferred dens, breeding habits, and their surprising contribution to a diverse urban ecosystem.

skunks in the grass

The Secret Weapon: A Potent Defense

The defining characteristic of a skunk is its unmistakable odor. This noxious spray, housed in two anal glands under the tail, is a potent cocktail of sulfur-containing chemicals called thiols. These thiols, particularly mercaptans, have a remarkably low odor threshold, meaning even tiny amounts can be detected by our sensitive noses. This potent concoction serves as a powerful defense mechanism, deterring predators like foxes, coyotes, and even owls with their poor sense of smell. Interestingly, the spray isn’t just a “fire and forget” weapon. Skunks have impressive aim, firing with a high degree of accuracy from up to 10 feet away. They also deliver a warning before spraying, stamping their feet and raising their tail – a clear sign to back off.

The Many Skunk Habitats

Skunks are adaptable creatures, comfortable in various habitats. In urban settings, they’re often found in:

  • Brush piles and overgrown areas: These provide excellent cover and shelter from predators.
  • Abandoned burrows: Skunks readily take over burrows dug by other animals, like foxes or woodchucks.
  • Underneath structures: Crawl spaces, porches, and sheds offer warmth and protection, especially during the winter.

While these urban dens may seem close to human habitation, skunks are primarily nocturnal animals. Their activity peaks at dusk and dawn, when they venture out to forage. As long as they have access to natural areas or green spaces, they are unlikely to become regular visitors to your backyard. However, if your home sits on a green belt, you may notice a stripped neighbor stopping by to smell the roses early in the morning or when it is just getting dark. 

Skunk Mating Season

Skunk breeding season typically occurs between late February and early March. During this time, male skunks become more active, searching for receptive females. Mating is a brief affair, lasting only a few minutes. However, the breeding season can be a smelly one. Females use their spray to deter unwanted advances from males, ensuring they mate only with the chosen suitor. Additionally, if a female feels threatened during this vulnerable period, she might resort to spraying. 

The Importance of Skunks in Urban Environments

Despite their stinky reputation, skunks play a vital role in maintaining a healthy urban ecosystem. Here’s why you might want them around (but not too close):

  • Pest Control: Skunks are omnivores, with a diet that includes insects, grubs, beetles, and rodents. They are particularly adept at digging and unearthing these hidden pests, keeping their populations in check and reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
  • Seed Dispersal: Skunks are fond of fruits and berries. As they forage, they consume these fruits and disperse the seeds through their droppings, helping to regenerate plant life in urban areas.
  • Pollination: While not their primary function, skunks visit flowering plants (likely looking for bugs), inadvertently transferring pollen between them as they brush against the flowers.

Keeping Skunks at Bay: Peaceful Coexistence

While skunks offer benefits, encountering them in your home is undesirable. Here are some tips for peaceful coexistence:

  • Eliminate Attractants: Secure trash cans and compost bins, keeping them tightly sealed. Remove any potential food sources, like pet food left outdoors.
  • Seal Entry Points: Close up any holes or gaps under decks, porches, and sheds that could serve as potential den sites.
  • Discourage Loitering: Keep your yard well-lit and free of overgrown areas that could provide cover for skunks. Motion-activated sprinklers can also deter them.

If you suspect a skunk has taken up residence under your home, contact a wildlife removal professional like Prickly Pear who can safely relocate the animal.

Skunks, despite their smelly defense mechanism, are valuable members of urban ecosystems. They control pests, disperse seeds, and contribute to a diverse natural landscape. By understanding their habits and creating a less attractive environment around your home, you can ensure peaceful coexistence with these fascinating, albeit fragrant, creatures. Remember, appreciate skunks for the role they play, but keep them comfortably out of your living space.