Raccoons have become a familiar presence in urban and suburban environments, adapting their natural behaviors to thrive near human dwellings. Their intelligence and dexterity allow them to exploit resources efficiently, leading to frequent conflicts with homeowners. When a raccoon is removed, the common concern is whether the animal will return to the same spot. Raccoons possess a strong instinctual drive for den site fidelity, meaning the probability of recurrence in a previously successful location is high. Understanding these biological motivations is key to addressing the issue.
Raccoon Homing Instinct and Den Fidelity
Raccoons establish a defined home range, which is the area they traverse to find food, water, and shelter. The size of this range varies, but urban raccoons typically maintain smaller territories due to the abundance of resources. Within this range, they utilize multiple den sites, including natural shelters or human structures like attics and chimneys.
Den fidelity—the tendency to return to an established shelter—is pronounced in female raccoons, especially those with young kits. Litters are typically born in the spring, making the search for a safe, dry nursery a high priority. If a female successfully raises young in a location, she may attempt to use it for subsequent litters, or her young may later regard the area as part of their own territory. Even if relocated, a raccoon’s strong homing instinct can compel it to travel several miles to attempt a return to its original home range.
Why Specific Locations Remain Appealing
A raccoon returns to a location because of easily accessible resources. The primary attractants are food, water, and secure shelter, which are readily available in residential areas. Consistent, high-calorie food sources include unsecured garbage bins, pet food left outdoors, and fallen fruit.
The home structure itself is a major draw, providing a secure, temperature-regulated environment superior to natural dens. Raccoons exploit vulnerabilities like damaged roof shingles, loose siding, uncapped chimneys, or gaps beneath decks and porches to gain access to safe spaces. The scent left behind by a previous occupant, including droppings and musk, signals that the location is a verified, safe harborage, encouraging new animals to investigate the same entry points.
Strategies for Permanent Exclusion
The only way to permanently prevent a raccoon’s return is to eliminate the source of attraction and physically block all access points. This requires a two-pronged approach: habitat modification and structural exclusion.
Habitat modification involves removing all external food and water sources. This includes securing trash cans with locking lids, bringing pet food indoors, and ensuring compost piles are animal-proof. Bird feeders should be removed or placed on baffled poles to prevent raccoons from reaching the seed.
Structural exclusion focuses on sealing all potential and existing entry points with heavy-duty materials. Because raccoons are strong and skilled, light-gauge netting or plastic sheeting is insufficient. Vulnerable areas like chimneys, vents, and openings should be sealed with hardware cloth, sheet metal flashing, or other durable materials they cannot chew through or pull apart. Temporary sensory deterrents, such as motion-activated lights or a radio playing near the entry point, can encourage the animal to vacate before the final seal is applied.