What To Do With a Baby Raccoon
Do you Think You Have Baby Raccoons? Your Guide to “What to Do with a Baby Raccoon.”
The weather in New Jersey is beautiful, and you are enjoying a lovely day in your backyard when you notice something moving in the bushes. Upon getting closer and inspecting the situation, you realize that baby raccoons are frolicking in the grass! So, what do you do?
Raccoons are common wildlife animals in New Jersey, and it’s not unusual to see them around and raiding your trashcan or garden. For example, we were recently called by a customer saying that a raccoon came up to an outdoor dining table as the homeowners were enjoying their hamburgers. Fortunately, with a scream from the wife, the raccoon quickly left.
As adult raccoons are everywhere in New Jersey, so are their babies. So, what do you do if you find a baby raccoon falling from a tree or scampering around the yard?
We know that baby raccoons are adorable. You may feel tempted to try and take care of them yourself, but it’s important to remember that they are wild animals. Therefore, knowing what to do with a baby raccoon is vital.
If You Find Baby Raccoons in Your Yard, Don’t Touch Them
The first thing you should know is to leave the baby raccoons alone. Babies are typically born in the spring, so if you find them in late spring or early summer, their mother is probably just out looking for food.
Touching a baby may be very tempting, but remember the risks you would be taking.
- As a raccoon mother will boldly defend her babies, she will growl, arch her back and even lunge at a person she sees as threatening.
- The baby raccoon could be sick.
Baby raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies, so exercise caution. Raccoons are nocturnal. So if you see a baby raccoon out during the day, it can indicate something is wrong.
Observe the Babies From a Distance to See if Their Mother Is Around
How can you tell if a baby raccoon is abandoned and orphaned?
They are likely orphaned if you’ve been watching them for a while and their mother hasn’t returned. Mother raccoons never leave their babies out of sight for too long.
What to Do If the Baby Raccoon Seems Injured or Orphaned
If you find a baby raccoon with signs of injury, bleeding, broken limb or other, you can put an inverted laundry basket over the baby. Ensure it has a lightweight top so the mom can get them out if she returns. As raccoons are nocturnal, leave them throughout the night, as this is when the mother may come to reclaim them.
If the mom has not returned in the morning, contact a pest and wildlife control company immediately. A professional will be able to assess the situation. In addition, the professional can relocate the babies humanely to a safe environment.
If the mom and the babies are around and become a nuisance, the NJ Wildlife and pest control company will bring the mom and her babies to a place where the mom can continue to nurture her babies before letting them back into the wild.
Keep Your Pets and Children Inside and Away From the Baby Raccoons
In the meantime, please keep your pets inside and away from them. Even though they’re cute, as we have mentioned, they can growl and lunge at you and carry diseases that harm humans and animals. Raccoon roundworms, for example, can cause neurological issues and even death in some cases!
Removing Baby Raccoons in New Jersey
If you find baby raccoons in your yard, leaving them alone and observing them from a distance is best. However, if you’re concerned about their welfare, call for help if their mother doesn’t return within a few hours.
NJ Pest Control is here to help. We offer professional and humane raccoon removal services to get those adorable babies and their mothers out of your yard and off your property for good. Contact NJ Pest Control today for a free estimate!
If you want to read more about raccoons, we list some raccoon articles below.
