Via NYC.gov
What to Know About Raccoons
The common name “raccoon” comes from an Indian word that means “he scratches with his hands.” The raccoon is easily identified by its black mask and ringed tail. Typically, adult raccoons are about 2 feet long and weigh between 10 and 30 pounds. Raccoons are able to adapt to a variety of habitats, and thrive in urban areas like New York City because of abundant food availability. As a result, it is not unusual to encounter raccoons near your home.
Getting Raccoons Off Your Property
When raccoons take up residency in your home, destroy your garden, or raid your garbage, they are either searching for food or a place to live. Raccoons are not picky eaters – they will eat anything from meat to vegetables to trash. Also, they are willing to live almost anywhere. Under ordinary conditions, they usually find a den in a hollow tree, but in urban areas, raccoons can live in rock piles, fireplace chimneys, hollow walls, attics, or beneath sewer drains.
Keeping Raccoons Out of Your Home
There are several ways to prevent raccoons from being pests without exterminating them. The best strategy is to prevent access to food. Raccoons tend to feed at night. If raccoons are stealing food from your pet’s dish, try feeding your pet during the day and bringing the bowl inside before dark. (Better yet, always feed your pet inside, which helps make your home less attractive to other animals, as well.)
If raccoons are rummaging through your garbage, make it unreachable by purchasing a raccoon-proof
garbage can, or by putting a weight on the lid so raccoons can’t open it. Always make sure that all
your garbage is in the can and not on the ground.
If raccoons are already living in your home, there are measures you can take to get them out.
Raccoons do not like bright lights or loud noises:
- Put bright lights in your attic and if you have any kind of flashing lights, use them.
- Put a radio in the attic and tune in to a rock or talk station, with the volume set as loud as you can stand it. Leave it on all day and night to disrupt the raccoon’s sleep.
If none of these suggestions work, trapping may be the best option. Never attempt to capture a raccoon by yourself!
If you try to touch a wild raccoon, it may feel threatened and bite you. If you are bitten or scratched by a raccoon, consult a physician right away. You may need a tetanus shot or other medical treatment to control infection. You should also be evaluated for possible exposure to rabies. Biting incidents should be reported to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at 311. Check your local phone book or
veterinarian to find a professional trapper.
NY State will provide a list of wildlife trappers:
718-482-4885 NYS DEC.
Maintaining a Raccoon-Proof Home
When you think the raccoons have left, sprinkle Cayenne pepper around the area they entered
through (torn screens, open chimneys, or broken windows are the most common points of entry).
Be sure to leave a light and radio on until there is absolutely no sign of activity. Finally, permanently
seal all entrances. It will also help to prune back any tree branches that might have helped raccoons
gain access to the roof or attic.
Remember, raccoons will come back if you let them.
That's a very funny picture.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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I remember White Island, trees, weeds…good times, good times. Now I'm livin' in this friggin box.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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The inconsiderate savages that are our neighbors continue to leave food out, no litter box, no sterilization and don’t want to listen or talk about the matter.
You want 'dialogue' and the neighbors continue to build a mound of nuclear cat poop and the raccoon immigrants continue to cross our borders.
I declare hunting season on cats and raccoons!
“Build the dang slingshots”
-I’m a GB resident and I approve this message
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Maybe they don't want to listen to you because you come off like a total ass****. Sounds like your neighbors aren't all that thrilled with you either. Maybe your not so perfect? You certainly sound like a cruel/crazy and I am very happy you don't live next door to me. Who are you quoting, 'build the dang slingshots'? I can only hope that if you harm 1 animal, your neighbors have you arrested. ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement 212-876-7700 x4450 or online at http://www.humanel@aspca,org If anyone witnesses anyone harming an animal in any way, you can call 911, IT'S AGAINST THE LAW. Also, if it is wildlife that is being harmed, poisoned, shot at, you can call the Department of Enviornmental Conservation. Call ECO Mathew Baker @ 718-474-2509 or ECO Gregory Maneeley @ 718-668-0276
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Maybe your neighbors don't want to engage in conversation with you because you come off like as an ass****. Maybe the problem is that you consider your neighbors to be "inconsiderate savages", when they really are compassionate people doing their best to solve the problem. I'd bet that they are spaying and neutering. I am very happy that you aren't my neighbor. You seem to be the type who thinks everything he does is right and the rest of the world is wrong. Bet your right about EVERYTHING. Who are you quoting when you say, 'build the dang slingshots'? In any case, I hope that if you harm any animals that your neighbors have you arrested. If anyone knows of anyone harming animals or wildlife, don't hesitate to report it. ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement 212-876-7700. Or online @ humanel@aspca.org If you see anyone harming any animal, poisoning, or anything else, IT IS A CRIME, call 911. If it involves wildlife, call the Department of Environmental Conservation, ECO Gregory Maneeley 718-668-0276 or ECO Mathew Baker 718-474-2509.
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That's a lot of assumptions for someone betting I think I know eveything about everything. What I do know for sure is I have more concern for my fellow human family and love for my dog than I do for any diseased racoons and ferral cats.
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Bravo, well said!
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Perhaps you're right about me making assumptions about you, and I'm sorry for that. But I don't understand inciting violence toward them. Especially by children. This article was about deterrents and humane ways to get rid of them. If there are humane choices why advocate hurting anything? I care about humans too and I think that inviting kids to go after them is going to get someone hurt. What is wrong with trapping and relocating? Maybe to Floyd Bennett? Or using one of the countless sprays on the market to deter them from your yard? Or one that you mix up yourself? A spray bottle with water in it is enough to get the cats to stay out. I'm just saying that maiming and killing animals that are just trying to survive isn't the answer.
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Your pissed at your neighbors because of their inconsiderate behavior, take it up with your neighbors. Why do the animals have to be abused? They're just trying to do what you're trying to do…survive!!
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Thank you that was very informative
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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I had a possum in my back yard on Friday night. It was on my fence and it was still light out. The neighbor directly across from me takes in stray cats and leaves food out for them. So I know that's what's drawing the possum to us. I have a dog that was having a stare down with it. My husband and I made sure that she stayed with us on our upper deck area and not bother it. I'm afraid of several things when it comes to these animals but I do not wish to harm them. The stray cat issue with my neighbor has been a huge problem for the last 6 years or so. These cats think that my yard and other yards on our side are their territory and they come and lounge on our furniture, etc. As well as leaving their excrement and hair balls all over the place. I have tried everything possible to keep them out of my yard. I even resorted to catching them in a cage and calling animal control. My neighbors have done this too. But it's a royal pain in the ass. I was informed that I'm within my rights as long as the cat does NOT have a collar on it. My dog goes nuts continiously with having stare-downs, chasing them and barking at them. The neighbor across the way was spoken to several years ago by a few of us and she denied that she takes in these cats. "They somehow find their way to her back yard". YEAH, RIGHT?
I simply don't want these cats in my yard to spread fleas and leave their fecis around. But, more importantly… I don't want my dog to get in a mix with one of them! As well as the possums and racoons.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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4 – 6 lb. raccoon, cut into serving pieces
~ 1 cup red wine
~ 2 onions, sliced
~ 3 bay leaves
~ 1 tbsp salt
~ 1 tsp pepper
~ 3 cloves garlic, sliced
~ 2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce
~ 1 tbsp paprika
Place the raccoon pieces in a large pan. Add the wine, onions, bay leaves, salt, pepper and garlic. Add enough water to cover the meat.
Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
After 1 hour, remove the meat and drain. Place the raccoon in a greased baking dish. Mix the barbecue sauce and paprika together and pour over the meat.
Cook at 325 degrees for 50 – 60 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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The heat is on the City to do something – the raccoon infestation is on the news every other day. I heard this morning on FOX 5 that there is a proposal to have the City be forced to remove them when someone calls 311. I would say now is a good time to call 311 to let them know the extent of the problem in this neighborhood.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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if only it worked that way with removing people…………
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This week, City Room reported that skunks have taken up permanent residence in Upper Manhattan and are starting to make their way south.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/02/a-mo…
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they always had skunks up there 2 legged ones
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