Raccoons are a mammalian species that are mainly carnivorous but can indulge in the vegetation of certain kinds. They are a dangerous species with many dangers attributed to them such as being the vector species for rabies and having an intestinal parasite that while it does not harm them, can kill any other mammal in a very short time. Raccoons are often seen on properties sleeping on things like fences and decks. The reason for this is the deck and the fence do not absorb as much heat as the ground does on hot days. The deck and fence are nice and cool so the raccoon will choose those human build structures to sleep on during the day. This is because they are nocturnal but sometimes finding food demands they wake up and go outside in the daytime as it is when most people start throwing away their fresh food garbage. If you are worried about raccoons coming onto your property then there is a lot you can do to keep them from staying. Sadly if a raccoon or other animal is wandering your property there is nothing you can do as they are a protected species in Ontario. However, you can shorten their stay and give them no reason to come back by removing the things they are coming onto your property for. This is mainly food, water and shelter. An adult raccoon male can consume as much water as a human adult, if not more. They desire it greatly and will seek it out even if it puts the raccoon in danger. They are willing to drink from a boiling hot tub or a chlorine-treated pool, and oftentimes, the result is them falling in and drowning. This brings us to the first reason why it’s a good idea to keep raccoons off your property.
Raccoon roundworm. Raccoon roundworm is a parasitic worm that lives in the digestive tract of about seventy percent of adult raccoons and about ninety percent of young mature raccoons. This parasite is of no danger to the raccoon. But if you were to even inhale one dry spore you could suffer a horrific death and no doctor would be able to stop it entirely. Many people survive raccoon roundworms but they will suffer cognitive defects and physical deformities in the process. The only way to truly protect yourself and your family is to remove all access to water and food on your property, even a fruit tree or your prized strawberry bushes. A bunch of rhubarb? Raccoons can eat that. Remove it all, your garden, your fruit trees and even your pool. Then you will never have a raccoon living on your property. Unless it’s baby season. Then it’s a no-holds-barred battle between you and the raccoon that is soon to give birth to babies in your attic.