Raccoons in Indiana

The raccoon population in Indiana is perhaps at an all-time high due to the lack of interest in the trapping market and cheap fur prices.

With the increase in population comes the problem of large numbers of raccoons in city and urban areas. This all makes sense because in rural areas there is a greater competition for food supplies and more danger from predators than in city or urban areas where it seems food supplies are abundant and protected habitats are limitless.

Raccoons are a wonderful part of our environment until they invade your home. Adults can weigh up to 20 pounds for a full-grown individual that has a good food supply.

Their speed is nothing to underestimate for sure. An adult can reach a speed of 15 miles per hour although most of the time they are quite slow and meander around investigating surroundings and looking for food.

Raccoons are great climbers and have the ability to climb down trees headfirst. Usually, the raccoon is more active at night unless competition for food forces it out during daylight hours.

However, if one sees a raccoon during the daylight hours and it is lethargic or seems confused, animal control should be contacted. Many raccoon diseases may be transferred to domestic pets and the risk or rabies is a possibility.

Mating starts in late December and goes through February with most young born in April or May yielding 1-9 young.

The usual places that raccoons take up residence is under decks, abandoned ground hog dens, under and in empty storage buildings, and in chimneys, crawl spaces, and attics.

So now is the time when it is very important to take precautions before mating takes place and before young are born.

• Seal all openings up that would allow entry. 
• Cover chimney openings with caps.
• Cut limbs back from trees that are close to structures and remove clutter around buildings.  

It is easier and cheaper to be proactive and not allow one female raccoon from taking residence than dealing with an entire family later after they have had to opportunity to contaminate attics, crawlspaces and walls with their feces and causing damage in the meantime.