Yes. Raccoons are dangerous.
Most people know raccoons are carriers of rabies, which can be deadly to people and pets. Raccoons are dangerous because they can spread other diseases, destroy your home, and potentially attack.

Do Raccoons Attack?

Raccoons are naturally shy animals that prefer to retreat when they sense humans nearby. However, as the pests' natural habitat decreases and they adapt more to a human environment, that fear can dwindle.

Raccoons are dangerous to people and pets when cornered or protecting their young. Even if a raccoon seems calm or friendly, residents should never approach a wild animal. Most people know they are a rabies vector species. Both healthy raccoons or sick raccoons can attack, but a rabid raccoon is more likely to attack.

Raccoons will try to intimidate you before it attacks. They will make themselves appear larger by rounding their back, sticking their fur out, and elevating their tail. Behaviors like jumping repeatedly, bearing their teeth, and showing their claws. Raccoons will also make growling, shrieking, screaming, barking, and hissing vocalizations. If you observe these behaviors in a raccoon, they are about to attack.

How Dangerous Are Raccoons?

Defensive Fighters

Raccoons will attack if they feel threatened or perceive a threat to their young. About the same size or larger than a house cat, raccoons are strong and stocky. They will use their sharp claws and teeth to attack when they feel threatened and cornered.

Raccoons can especially dangerous during birthing season. Females are hyper vigilant with her young. A dog can easily stumble upon a raccoon den under a porch or shed. The mother will attack the unsuspecting dog. Raccoons have been known to kill small dogs and cats.

Avoid leaving dogs and cats unattended outside in an area with suspected raccoon activity. If a raccoon has attacked, seek immediate medical attention.

Disease Carriers

Many diseases carried by raccoons are dangerous to humans. Raccoons, skunks, and foxs are the terriestrial animals most often infected with rabies in the United States. 

Raccoons can spread other diseases. Raccoon roundword and leptospirosis are the most common raccoon diseases; both of which are spread from raccoon feces. Raccoons can spread other diseases to your pets like canine distemper, feline distemper, parvoviral enteritis, and infectious canine hepatitis.

Cleaning up raccoon droppings without proper safety equipment can expose you to these pathogens.

Property Damage

Raccoons can destroy your yard and garden. Raccoons will roll up freshly laid sod looking for grubs. Raccoons do not dig for grubs. If you see canonical shaped holes, you have skunks in your yard. Raccoons will eat fruits and vegetables from your garden.

The most common area we find a raccoon infestation is in the attic or in a chimney. These critters will also create dens in crawl spaces, basements, and under porches. Stumbling upon a raccoon den or attempting a DIY raccoon removal can put you in harm’s way.

Raccoon entry points generally are in hard-to-reach places. Raccoons can tear apart shingles, rip open soffits, and break through gable vents. These repairs can require tall ladders or work on the roof. Attempting these exclusion repairs is dangerous.

Preventing Raccoon Problems

The best course of action is to prevent a raccoon problem before it starts. Raccoons can live in a variety of habitats, but an area with water sources and easy access to food will attract the critters. Never purposefully feed a raccoon. A homeowner can limit food sources by securing trash cans with bungee cords, keeping pet food inside, and removing or securing bird feeders.

Raccoon removal should only be handled by professional wildlife control operators. The professionals at Critter Control will humanely remove the raccoon while keeping you and the animal safe. Once the raccoon is gone, we can repair any damage and clean up any health risks from the raccoon.

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Customer Reviews

Kirk D.
2/16/2023
It has been very effective at reducing the number of mice, lizard, and snake sightings. During one visit Edgar removed a rattlesnake he came across. We may see a snake maybe two to three times during the spring and summer months, but it has been far less than before.

Serivces: Wildlife & Rodent Control in San Diego
Robert B.
2/15/2023
Full service. Excellent job of extracting raccoon, cleaning all animal waste, sanitizing, and spraying anti-parasitic substance. They closed all potential ports of entry, though the work did not match the vinyl, and it looks kind of tacky. They added blown insulation, which added a lot to the cost. They provide a one year warranty against animal intrusion, with an option to extend the warranty at the end of each one- year period. They were willing to work with me one the price. I will probably extend my warranty, and will definitely use them it the future.
-Chattanooga
Gene F.
2/15/2023
I was really impressed by these guys. Got a call within a few hours of making an inquiry. Had a rep out to inspect the situation by the end of the week, and when they laid out the timeline they kept if not exceeded listed times.

Rob, Travis, and Jim were all professional, polite, and courteous and after months of hearing squirrels in my ceiling they are gone and the repair to my flashing looks excellent. Can't recommend these guys enough.
Bob I.
2/10/2023

Jeff was incredibly professional and helpful. I'll use them again and would recommend them to anyone.
-Detroit, MI
Richard L.
2/10/2023

Critter Control did a great job of evaluating our house for sites of entry after we found bats and a squirrel in our attic. They completed their work promptly and professionally.
-Seattle, WA
Kenneth H.
9/21/2022
We heard some noise from the corner of our house. Concerned that it could be inside we called for an inspection. Jessy arrived as scheduled and conducted a complete inspection of our home. Based on a recording we made he determined we had a tree frog on our roof. I was pleased that we didn’t have any rodent in our house. And his inspection could a few spots I can tighten up around my house. I am very happy with the outcome.
-New Hampshire
Lee F.
9/13/2022
We have a vacation home in Western Mass and haven’t been there much during the pandemic as we live and work in Atlanta, GA. On our most recent visit we noticed that we had some rodent intrusion as well as some un-welcomed wildlife who decided to make our vacation home their home.

We contacted Critter Control and Mr. Cahoon was quick to set up an appointment as we wouldn’t be in town very long. He came out and assessed our issues. He informed us of our options to both eradicate and control future intrusions. Keeping in mind that wildlife is wildlife! He quickly got to work eradicating the rodents and wildlife from our home and addressing the intrusion issues. We feel much better leaving our vacation home for periods at a time knowing that Mr. Cahoon and Critter Control did their job and did it right! Thanks again!
Mary L.
4/16/2021
We bought an old cabin last spring , it was used for years as a summer vacation cabin, therefore maintenance wasn’t a priority. After our project to remodel started, we found evidence of mice droppings.

We immediately called Critter Control and they came and gave us a reasonable estimate to remove all remnants and insulation. They sanitized and replaced with new insulation and sealing up points of entry .

Seeing their professional work made us feel confident and secure that the problem was solved ! Everyone we worked with continued to show professional and respectful work. Highly recommend this company! We continue to use critter control monthly to be sure we are mice and bug free!

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