If you’ve ever spotted a bushy-tailed creature rifling through your garbage cans or scaling your backyard fence under the cover of darkness, chances are, you’ve encountered Florida’s most adaptable urban forager: the raccoon. Known scientifically as Procyon lotor, raccoons are omnivorous mammals well adapted to both the wild and residential areas. Their incredible dexterity, cleverness, and insatiable appetite make them both fascinating and problematic for Florida homeowners.
Raccoons are attracted to homes for two reasons: shelter and food. If you have food items like pet bowls, bird feeders, and a full trash can, you might find a raccoon or two in your backyard. Knowing exactly what they eat can help you prevent raccoon infestations from occurring.
This guide will answer the essential question—what do raccoons eat?—and why that matters if you’re dealing with a raccoon infestation or trying to avoid one.
The Omnivore’s Advantage: Raccoon Diet Basics
Raccoons are classic opportunistic omnivores. That means their menu includes plants, fruit, insects, small animals, and anything else they can find or steal. Their front paws, often compared to human hands, allow them to gain access to a wide range of food sources—whether in the wild or your backyard.
Wild Diet vs Urban Buffet
In the wild, raccoons forage in hollow trees, rock crevices, and wetland areas for:
- Bird eggs
- Frogs, amphibians, and crayfish
- Fish
- Nuts, fruit, and plants
- Insects, worms, and small mammals like mice and rabbits
However, in urban areas, raccoons adapt their diet with gusto:
- Garbage cans and trash cans filled with leftover food
- Bird feeders, often raided at night
- Pet food left outdoors
- Chickens and their eggs
- Compost bins or unsecured produce gardens
This makes them a magnet for conflict with humans—and an increasing cause for concern in Florida’s residential areas.
What Attracts Raccoons to Your Property?
Raccoons don’t roam for fun—they roam for food and shelter. Here’s what can attract raccoons to your home:
- Easy access to food: Bird feeders, pet bowls, or open compost heaps are practically invitations.
- Shelter options: Attics, sheds, crawl spaces, and even unused chimneys offer ideal dens.
- Lack of deterrents: Raccoons often return if there’s no effort to block entry or remove the food source.
And once they’re in, they may start raising young, leading to a more entrenched raccoon infestation.
Seasonal Eating Habits: Timing Matters
Florida’s warm climate allows raccoons to forage year-round. However, seasonal behaviors do influence diet:
- Early summer: Young raccoons begin learning to forage, often near their birth dens.
- Mating season (late winter through early spring): Food demand increases as females prepare for and raise their litters.
- Fall: Raccoons bulk up in preparation for cooler months by gorging on nuts, fruit, and high-fat foods—often stolen from human trash.
This seasonal rhythm means your property might become more appealing at specific times of year, especially when young raccoons are learning to find food near human structures.
Risks to Humans and Pets
It’s not just overturned trash that homeowners should worry about. Raccoons carry real health and safety risks.
1. Rabies and Rabid Raccoons
Florida has seen consistent reports of rabid raccoons in urban and suburban areas. According to the Florida Department of Health, raccoons are among the most common carriers of rabies in the state.[1] A raccoon may feel threatened and become aggressive, especially if cornered or sick.
2. Raccoon Roundworm
Baylisascaris procyonis, or raccoon roundworm, is found in raccoon droppings and can pose serious risks to humans and pets. Ingesting contaminated soil, water, or surfaces can lead to serious neurological damage in rare cases.
3. Physical Damage
From tearing through attics to destroying insulation and air ducts, raccoons can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Their constant search for solid food leaves trails of destruction.
Raccoons and Other Wildlife
Raccoons coexist—and often compete—with other animals, including:
- Coyotes (their main predators in Florida)
- Dogs (domestic pets often targeted if they threaten raccoons)
- Birds, which they hunt for eggs
- Rats and mice, which may share the same feeding grounds
Interestingly, Native Americans historically observed the raccoon’s resourcefulness and adaptability in their legends, often portraying it as a trickster or survivor.
How to Identify a Raccoon Infestation
Look for these signs around your property:
- Scattered trash or food wrappers
- Tracks—raccoons leave hand-shaped prints
- Droppings near food or den areas
- Scratching or movement sounds in the attic at night
- Damaged bird feeders or compost bins
Their iconic black mask, bushy tail, and nighttime activity make them relatively easy to spot—especially on motion-activated cameras.
Prevention Tips for Florida Homeowners
Once you know what raccoons eat and what draws them in, you can take steps to keep them away:
- Secure garbage cans with locking lids or bungee cords
- Bring bird feeders indoors at night
- Feed pets inside
- Seal entry points around your roof, vents, and chimney
- Trim trees to prevent rooftop access
- Use motion-activated lights or sprinklers to startle nighttime visitors
Using these tips will help you prevent raccoons from coming onto your property. However, if you are already dealing with a raccoon infestation, you might need a professional to help you remove them.
Call the Experts: When It’s Time to Act
If you suspect a raccoon infestation, don’t handle it yourself. Florida wildlife laws often require humane removal, and dealing with wild animals can be risky.
A professional wildlife removal service can:
- Identify den locations
- Safely trap and relocate raccoons
- Clean and sanitize areas contaminated with droppings
- Install deterrents to prevent return
This is especially crucial if you spot young raccoons, which are more vulnerable and more likely to remain close to the nest until old enough to forage.
Get Connected to a Raccoon Removal Service
Raccoons eat almost anything, but that doesn’t mean you should offer up your home and yard. By learning what raccoons eat and what attracts them, you’re one step closer to preventing costly damage and health risks.
Whether you’re dealing with a raccoon in the attic, tipped trash cans, or missing eggs from your chicken coop, understanding the raccoon’s diet is key to solving the problem.
To protect your home and pets, you should contact a professional raccoon removal service like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers. We will trap and relocate raccoons without harming them in the process. Contact us today for more information on how our services work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do raccoons hibernate in Florida?
No, raccoons do not hibernate in Florida due to the state’s mild winters. However, they may reduce their activity during colder or stormier periods, staying in dens for a few days at a time. This is known as torpor, not true hibernation.
2. Can raccoons and pets coexist peacefully in a yard?
Generally, no. Raccoons may act aggressively if they feel threatened, especially by dogs or cats. They can also transmit diseases and parasites. It’s best to discourage raccoons from entering spaces your pets use.
3. How intelligent are raccoons compared to other wild animals?
Raccoons are considered highly intelligent, with problem-solving skills on par with primates. Studies have shown they can remember solutions to tasks for over three years and manipulate complex mechanisms, such as door latches or twist-off lids.
4. Are raccoons protected under Florida law?
Yes, raccoons are classified as a fur-bearing species under Florida wildlife regulations. It is illegal to relocate or euthanize them without proper permits or licenses. Only licensed wildlife control professionals should handle removal.
5. What smells repel raccoons effectively?
Strong scents like ammonia, vinegar, or predator urine can temporarily deter raccoons, but these are not long-term solutions. They often become desensitized or find alternate paths. Sealing food sources and entry points is more effective.
6. Do raccoons live alone or in groups?
Raccoons are mostly solitary, except during mating season or when females are raising young. You might spot several raccoons together in urban areas, but they typically forage and sleep independently unless bonded by family ties.
References:
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Rabies
