Assume there are babies present in thespring and summer. Be careful you do notaccidentally separate parents from theiryoung. To do so could result in unnecessaryproperty damage as they frantically try toreunite with their young. In cases where araccoon mother is unsuccessful, the babieswill die a slow death from starvation and youwill be stuck with a noxious odor in or underthe house.

Though not rare or endangered, theraccoon is classified by California State Fish& Game as a furbearer and is, under certaincircumstances, protected by law.

Easily distinguishable by their blackface masks and ringed tails, Raccoons have ahusky build and usually weigh between 15and 40 pounds. It’s coat is full and shaggyand it’s coloring is brownish gray with ashading of tan on it’s flanks. The heavilyfurred tail is also usually tan and gray withblack rings. Their long slender toes on thefront feet give raccoons great dexterity ingrasping food. The larger surfaces on theback feet give it superb agility in climbing.

This brochure is provided by:Wildlife Information,

Literature, Data &Education Service

(W.I.L.D.E. Service)(805)687-9980 (messages)

(805)887-3574 (pager)

You may send donations to:1560 N. Ontare Road

Santa Barbara, CA 93105

For further information you may call:

Santa Barbara CountyAnimal Services

(805)681-5285 (SB)(805)737-7755 (Lom)(805)934-6119 (SM)

SB City Animal Control(805)963-1513

Agricultural Commissioner’s Office(805)681-5600

http:www.co.santa-barbara.ca.us/agcomm/index.htm

NOTE:Live trapping is not a recommended

solution to ridding your property and yard ofraccoons. Because they are around in suchnumbers, trapping is only a temporarysolution and not necessarily humane. Itwon’t be long before another one or more isattracted to your home especially if youhaven’t dealt with those issues that attractedthem in the first place! For valid reasons,governmental animal related agencies do notrecommend relocation as a solution and willeuthanize all trapped animals if called forproblem management

LivingPeacefully

WithRaccoons

Compliments of:

Wildlife

Information

Literature

Data &Education

Service

Sharing the neighborhood with wildlife isone of the privileges we enjoy. Catching sight ofa family of raccoons at night enriches our lives.

Raccoons are found in all types ofenvironments. With advancing humanurbanization and development we have taken thenocturnal romping grounds away from theraccoon. Rather than diminish, however, thesehardy critters have adapted and flourished. SinceSanta Barbara County raccoons have becomequite comfortable living in or near humancommunities, we encounter problems with themas they try to claim back “our” space for theirown. It is incumbent upon us to do all that we canto protect them as each of these animals plays avital part in the delicate system of nature’s checksand balances.

Because of their adaptability, raccoonshave easily blended in with the urbanenvironment, unfortunately, not without creatingproblems for their human neighbors. They do notfear people like most wildlife. In fact, they canbecome pretty bold.

Thanks to popular cartoon characters andmovies that have made these animals irresistible,it has often led people to entice the animal withfood in order to observe them as you would zooanimals. Consequently, and much to the generalneighborhood’s irritation, raccoons become pestsby toppling garbage cans, nesting in attics, rollingback lawns for food, preying upon pond life, andeven becoming intrepid enough to come into our

homes. Like most wild animals, raccoonsare opportunistic, looking for convenientfood and water sources. Nocturnal animalsby nature, raccoons in their normal ruralsetting scavenge at night looking for insects,fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, smallmammals and birds. However, in an urbansetting, those items are not readily available.To compensate, they have been able to find asteady supply of garbage in open containers,food and water left out for domestic pets,fallen or overripe fruit, and many othertempting enticements. With the passing ofeach generation, the young are taught theseunsavory skills that escalate the conflictbetween themselves and their humanneighbors.

The most important rule to rememberwhen trying to discourage unwanted wildlifevisitors is:

If there is no food and shelter tosupport them, most wild animals will goaway!

Some time tested methods you cantry for protecting yourselves and yourproperty that promote harmony with ourfellow creatures are: Fasten garbage can lids tightly. Araccoon’s nimble front feet can make this adifficult task, but in extreme cases, somerope, chain or a bungee cord should do thetrick.

Keep sheds and garage doors closed when notin use. Cut back tree limbs approximately 3’ from rooflines. Harvest all ripe fruit from trees, shrubs and offthe ground. Remove brush piles and trash accumulation. Pick up family pet food and water dishes bydusk. Secure pet doors at night to keep raccoonsout of the house. Sprinkle your lawn or planters with liberalamounts of cayenne peper to discourage raccoonsfrom grub hunting. (Grubs are tiny worm-likebugs that live in your lawn). Install metal guards 18” or wider, wrappedaround trees five or six feet above ground todeprive raccoons access to roof tops and otherbuildings. For pond protection, horizontally submergewire mesh around the circumference. Stretch themesh leaving the inside free. Fish have the centerof the pool open and the raccoons can’t reachover the wire because it is unstable and theyprefer to stand on solid surfaces. Place ammonia soaked rags around the yard,and under the house. Raccoons are repelled bythe harsh odor. Use motion sensor devices for lights orsprinkler systems.

Play a radio near the entrance to a suspectedden site. To secure your house:

Close off openings where roof lines overlap. Replace and reinforce damaged screen vents. Keep crawl spaces tightly covered. Keep a spark arrester on the chimney.