Raccoons are incredibly intelligent and curious creatures and, despite the fact that they have been nicknamed the “trash panda”, they often appear very cute with their small faces and masklike colouration around their eyes. However, raccoons are known for destroying gardens, creating messes, and nesting in residential spaces.

Unfortunately for many homeowners, these ring-tailed creatures are not just a nuisance, but they are also a safety hazard. If you have a raccoon problem in your Toronto home—whether they have nested under your deck or babies are living in your attic—the best solution is to hire a wildlife removal service that guarantees permanent results. Here's what you need to know about whether baby raccoons are dangerous and how Hawkeye’s raccoon removal services in Toronto and the GTA can help.

What Month Do Raccoons Have Babies?

The reproduction of raccoons begins in January, and by April or May, female raccoons give birth to their young. In each litter, there are usually one to six baby raccoons. The first year of the kit’s life is very sheltered by their mother until they grow large enough to defend themselves.

Are Raccoon Babies Dangerous?

Baby raccoons cannot survive on their own. Due to the high risk of starvation in the wild, baby raccoons have little time to build up their fat reserves before winter. They rely completely on their mothers to find safe shelters for them to grow until they are independent at 12 to 14 months. Female raccoons frequently choose hidden areas near the home such as chimneys and attics as denning sites. This brings them into obvious conflict with humans, who don’t want them on their property. They will bite and scratch when handled, which will not inflict much pain, but it can lead to infection.

Do All Racoon Babies Have Rabies?

Although baby raccoons are not born with the virus, they are exposed to it at birth by their mother as she grooms them. Rabies is not shed in feces, urine, eye or nasal secretions, maternal milk, or musk glands, and it is not carried in the blood. Instead, it passes on through the salivary glands, which is why getting bitten by a racoon can be serious to your health.

Symptoms of rabies include depression, apathy, anorexia, discharge from the eyes and nose, trouble breathing, lack of coordination, paralysis, aggression, and abnormal behaviour. If you have come in physical contact with a racoon, contact your emergency services.

Where Do You Find Baby Raccoons?

When raccoons are ready to nest and raise their young, they don’t want to be disturbed by any predators. They will try to find a safe and sheltered place to hide as the mothers produce their young and raise them. If you suspect there are raccoons on your property, there are several places they may go to nest:

Attic

Under a deck

Shed

Garden

Garbage area

Rooftop

Chimney

Tips to Remove and Prevent Baby Raccoons

If you have any indication that a raccoon family is nesting on your premises, you should contact a professional wildlife removal service immediately. It can be seriously dangerous for you to attempt to forcibly remove these families on your own, as they may attack or transmit diseases.

Mother raccoons will go to great lengths to hide and keep their babies safe, which means finding their nest can be difficult. They may hide under the foundation of your home or in the attic—anywhere they are unlikely to be found.

Professional raccoon removal services will use some or all of the following techniques to actively remove baby raccoons:

Hand-capture

Live trapping

Protecting the family of raccoons is also a priority for many wildlife removal services, which is why they keep in mind the following:

Raccoon babies should not be separated from their mothers while in captivity process.

If the removal process separates the mother from her litter, they need to be properly fed and cared for until they are six weeks old, before they are released into nature. Although please do not attempt to feed them yourselves as this could put you at risk.

Special animal shelters and services can be contacted to help orphaned pups rehabilitate before they can survive in the wild.

Individuals who harm or capture wildlife like raccoons in an inhumane manner can be criminally charged and fined according to federal and provincial laws.