As the weather starts to get colder, it’s not uncommon to see raccoons scurrying around in search of food and shelter. While these masked animals can be cute to look at, they can also cause quite a bit of damage to homes and gardens. If you’re dealing with an infestation in Victoria and wonder how to get rid of raccoons from your property, it’s important to understand their behaviour. Specifically, it’s important to know the difference between shy and bold raccoons. 

Shy ones will typically avoid human contact and stick to more secluded areas, whereas bold ones aren’t afraid to come right up to your door in search of a meal. By understanding these behavioural differences, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right removal strategy and prevent future infestations. In this article, our experts at Skedaddle discuss everything you need to know about raccoon removal in Victoria, including best practices, tips, and tricks for keeping these wildlife at bay.

Shy or Bold: How Raccoon Behaviour Varies in Different Situations 

Shy raccoons are usually more withdrawn and can be hard to spot given their tendency to go out at night and stick to quiet, non-human habitats. They can be a bit more challenging to remove because they often hide in hard-to-reach areas and can run off at the first sign of human interaction. Their innate fear of people makes them quite remarkable at avoiding detection. Despite the difficulties, their aversion to human contact can actually work in your favour during the removal process. 

Bold raccoons, on the other hand, have a nearly fearless nature and will often venture into human-dominated areas in search of food or shelter. They’ve been known to rummage through trash, walk along fence tops, or even come onto property decks. This fearless behaviour can make them cause chaos on your property, but it can also make them easier to catch and remove. However, their audacity and problem-solving skills require a slightly different approach when embarking on a removal strategy. 

When dealing with bold raccoons, it’s absolutely crucial to recognize that their fearlessness extends to their interactions with removal efforts. They’re highly adept at finding loopholes in any attempt you make to evict them and will be ready to take full advantage of any oversights. This is where professional wildlife removal services like Skedaddle come in handy. 

Understanding the Impact of Human Interaction on Behaviour 

Human interaction has a significant impact on the behaviour of raccoons. Urbanization and the constant incursion of humans into natural habitats have led many raccoons to become much bolder than their rural counterparts. They often directly interact with humans, boldly stepping onto their property, rummaging through their trash, and even entering their homes in search of food. The abundance of food sources in urban and suburban areas can make them less afraid and more audacious. 

However, human interaction isn’t entirely positive for these creatures. In addition to the obvious dangers such as traffic accidents, they can often be mishandled or mistreated by people who are not familiar with the proper care and handling of wildlife. Poor handling can lead to injury or even death for these animals. Consequently, shy raccoons, who are adverse to human contact, may be better able to protect themselves by staying out of harm’s way. 

Unfortunately, actions meant to deter bold raccoons can sometimes make them bolder. If you try to scare or startle a bold one, you may only teach it to be more cautious and cunning. It might even come to see your attempts at deterrence as a sure sign of a nearby food source. This is why effective removal requires a thoughtful approach to their behaviour. 

Creating a Wildlife Removal Plan Based on Raccoon Behaviour 

Removing them from your property can be tricky, but with a well-thought-out plan based on the behaviour of the animal, you can effectively deal with the situation. Observe the animal’s behaviour closely: Is it bold, coming out in daylight and interacting with humans or pets, or is it shy, avoiding contact and only seen at night? Based on this, you can adjust your removal strategies for better results. 

Adapting Your Approach Based on Their Behaviour  

Shy ones can often be deterred by making the environment less inviting. Remove food sources, seal rubbish bins, and block access to potential nesting sites. For bold ones, you may need to enlist the help of a professional wildlife removal service like Skedaddle. They are skilled and equipped to handle these brazen animals safely and effectively.

If you’re unsure of what approach to take, never hesitate to seek professional help. They may be cute, but they can be carriers of diseases, and their wild nature means they can become aggressive if threatened. Victoria wildlife removal experts have the experience needed to handle these complex behaviours while ensuring that the removal process is as humane and safe as possible.

Safe and Humane Raccoon Removal with Skedaddle 

At Skedaddle, we pride ourselves on our humane and safe approach to wildlife removal. Understanding the behaviours of wildlife, from the shyest to the boldest, is at the heart of our process. Our trained professionals tailor their methods to suit the specific character of the problem raccoon, thus ensuring a successful removal process without causing undue stress to the animal. 

With shy raccoons, our experts exhibit great patience and care. We leverage the animal’s natural aversion to people, and utilize strategies that allow the animal to vacate your property at its own pace. This could include installing one-way doors in their nesting sites, which allow them to leave but prevent them from returning. 

For bold raccoons, our approach is a bit different. Through humane trapping techniques, we can expedite the removal of these brave intruders. Once captured, we always check for offspring that could be left behind. Because young raccoons rely heavily on their mother for the first few months, we take special care to reunite them before relocating the family to a safer, less populated area. 

Prevention: A Key Aspect of Effective Wildlife Removal 

Beyond just removal, it’s crucial to take steps to ensure these curious animals don’t return. Our experts can offer advice and assistance to make your property less attractive to wildlife. This can range from securing trash bins more effectively, to undertaking minor repairs and modifications to your home to block potential entry points. 

Remember, raccoon behaviour can vary greatly and understanding their personality is key to ensuring effective and humane removal. Whether you’re dealing with a band of bold raccoons or a solitary shy one, it pays to involve professionals who understand their behaviour and know how to manage them in a responsible, caring way. 

If you’re experiencing a wildlife problem and need assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Skedaddle. With over 30 years experience in humane wildlife control, we know how to handle every kind of animal personality. The safety of both the animal and the homeowner is always our priority.

Contact us today for your wildlife removal needs in Victoria. We’re ready to help you reclaim your home. Remember, understanding racer behaviour makes removal efficient, and hiring a pro makes it safe and humane for all involved.