Raccoons are nocturnal mammals that you can find in almost every area of the United States. They are easily identifiable by their bushy and striped tails. They often look like they are wearing a mask because of the dark coloring around their eyes.
You can often find raccoons rifling through dumpsters or trash cans, as they are scavengers that will eat just about anything they can get their paws on. That said, raccoons often create dens near food sources so they can bring nourishment back to their young. If you are wondering where to find a raccoon den, you should look in private, dark, and warm spots near food and water sources.
Raccoons might make dens in hollow trees, brush piles, abandoned buildings, underneath homes, and more. Signs of raccoons include hand-shaped tracks on the ground, droppings, and shuffling or scratching noises at night. If you notice that raccoons are living in your yard or inside your house, you should call a professional wildlife removal service like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers.
Why Do Raccoons Make Dens?
Raccoons build den sites to have a safe and sheltered place to rest during the day. They might be looking for protection from predators for themselves or their babies. Dens also protect raccoons from harsh weather during the winter.
Because baby raccoons are born helpless, dens are vital for their safety. Mother raccoons have to leave their babies in their dens while they go on the hunt for food. Having a place to leave them that is safe from predators is incredibly important.
Raccoons are opportunistic, which means they will create dens out of anything they can find. Leaves, sticks, grass, feathers from birds, and furs from other animals are all fair game. Dens need to be warm and hidden, so raccoons choose private and dark places to create their nests.
Where Do Raccoons Create Dens?
As mentioned, raccoons use dens as a resting place and a hiding place for their young. Due to this, they need to find a place that is hidden from predators.
Raccoons make dens in a variety of places, including:
- Hollow Trees- If there are holes or openings in trees, you might be able to find a raccoon den inside of them.
- Burrows- Sometimes raccoons will use burrows that other animals abandoned to create their dens. They can also create burrows in the ground if a better den site is not available.
- Attics, Chimneys, and Crawl Spaces- Raccoons might use attics, chimneys, or crawlspaces to create a den because they are hidden and dark. You can tell if a raccoon created a den in your home by listening to scratching or shuffling noises at night and looking for access points that would allow them to get inside.
- Abandoned Buildings- Because abandoned buildings offer privacy and shelter from predators, raccoons might create their dens there.
- Storm Sewers- If the raccoons are living in a big city, they might use storm sewers as their resting place.
- Brush Piles- Brush piles offer a hidden spot from predators, which means you might be able to find a raccoon den underneath them.
- Wood Piles- Like brush piles, wood piles provide a hiding spot from predators and warmth during cool nights.
- Haystacks- If you have haystacks on your property, you might find a raccoon den inside of one.
You shouldn’t go looking for raccoon nests by yourself because they are wild animals. If you come across one that has babies in it, the mother raccoon will become defensive and possibly attack to keep their babies safe. Instead, contact a wildlife control company to relocate the den to a safer area.
Signs That a Raccoon Has Made Your Property Their Home
If you are worried that raccoons are living on your property, there are a few signs to look out for. First, you might notice that your garbage cans are overturned and trash is strewn across the yard. If you leave pet food out, the raccoons might be eating it before your pets have a chance.
Other signs of raccoons living on your property include:
- Tracks- Raccoons leave hand-shaped prints on the ground. They are usually about 4 inches long and are easily spotted on soft ground, sand, or mud.
- Droppings- Raccoon droppings are about 2 to 3 inches long and a little less than an inch in diameter. They often leave their droppings in the same area, which means you’ll find piles instead of singular droppings.
- Noises- If you hear shuffling or scratching noises coming from the attic, you could have raccoons living inside your home. Baby raccoons make chittering, mewing, and crying noises.
If you believe there are raccoons in your yard or inside of your attic, you should contact a wildlife professional to remove the animals safely. They can also help you prevent future raccoon infestations by repairing entry points or giving you tips for raccoon-proofing your backyard.
Get Connected to Professional Raccoon Removal
If a raccoon is seeking shelter in your yard, you might find them in hollow logs, trees, or under your crawlspace. When you find evidence of raccoons, you should contact an animal removal company like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers.
We can help you locate, trap, and remove raccoons without hurting them in the process. Contact us today for more information on our raccoon removal services.
