The masked bandit makes its presence known to Waukesha residents primarily through its tactics for gathering food, which often leaves the contents of garbage bins strewn across the yard. They are as cute as they are destructive, and it isn’t just because they get into the garbage.

When raccoons decide to invite themselves into your attic, basement, chimney or crawlspace, they do a lot of damage to create an opening with their dexterous paws. These little creatures are clever and curious, which means that they may do additional damage once they’ve set up a den inside the house. While most of us know about raccoon antics, many people do not know whether or not they are a threat to human safety.

A Scaredy-Cat by Nature

The biggest threat to people from the masked bandit is the potential for them to carry rabies. While rabies is rare in the U.S., these cute animals can be carriers. Rabies is transmitted to humans through bites from an infected animal. It is not always easy to determine if a raccoon has rabies, so if you have one or more living in your home, seek help from humane raccoon control Waukesha experts. They also transmit other diseases primarily through their fecal matter and urine.

In general, however, these creatures are shy. When you happen upon one, take comfort in the fact that they are at least as afraid of you as you are of them! They are not prone to aggression, even when in the presence of their young. While mothers will do anything to get back to their little ones if they become separated, they are still more likely to run from you than run at you.

An Exceptional Opportunist at Heart

Raccoons are well adapted to sharing the human habitat. While their natural environment is in woodlands, they have proliferated in urban and suburban communities. Their ingenuity makes it easy for them to exist in multiple types of environments. They are omnivores that can consume just about anything that is edible, and the way people live makes it all too easy for them to access food without working too hard for it!

The masked bandit knows when they have a good thing going for them. As the weather turns colder, they seek out warm, safe places to den. Sometimes, this place happens to be your house. Though raccoons are nocturnal, they are sometimes seen in the morning or evening hours, especially in the months when they are putting on the extra pounds to prepare for the winter. The combination of these two factors makes human encounters in the fall common.

A Problematic Encounter at Home

What should you do if you encounter a raccoon in your home or yard? Stay calm and remember that they have no desire to have a run-in. Give them some space so that they have an escape route, as getting to safety is what they want most. There are times when a raccoon may appear aggressive or bold, but this is almost always just a bluff.

When you first spot a masked bandit, or they spot you, their first response is to freeze. If one begins to grunt or huff at you, they are sending out a signal that really means they just want you to leave. On occasion, one might appear to charge, but, again, all they want is some space to get away. Raccoons that are fed by people may become so used to humans that they are bolder than normal. In this situation, the best thing to do is to make a lot of noise to scare it off.

Raccoon Removal

If raccoons have become a problem in or around your home, Skedaddle Wildlife Control can help. We are experts in humane raccoon removal in Waukesha, and we ensure their safety, and yours, through our specialized techniques. Contact us today if you have any questions or to schedule services!