Raccoons are one of the cutest animals in the zoo. However, if the little bears visit your own garden, they can cause all sorts of damage. However, the nocturnal intruders can be easily recognized by their legacy. How to recognize raccoon droppings.

In a nutshell

  • Raccoons have discovered the human habitat for themselves
  • However, raccoon droppings in the morning give away the nocturnal visitors
  • Elevated latrines and a tubular appearance are typical features of the solution
  • Remove feces carefully, but thoroughly and quickly

Urbanized Raccoons

Since raccoons (scientific Procylon lotor) are very adaptable, they have also conquered the human settlement area. Because it offers all sorts of useful things for the nocturnal predators:

  • Fruits and Insects in Gardens
  • Leftovers in garbage cans
  • Sleeping and throwing places (garden sheds, garages, attics or caves in old garden trees)

notice: How well the raccoon has settled in Europe is also shown by the list of invasive alien species of Union-wide importance of the EU, on which the small bear has been entered since 2016.

However, since other wild animals have also taken a liking to urban habitats, it is beneficial to identify nocturnal invaders so that appropriate countermeasures can be initiated. A good clue is the animals' watchwords.

Identify raccoon droppings

Raccoons are very clean animals. They don't just drop their slogan, but set up communal toilets called latrines. This

  • are in elevated places (e.g. stacks of firewood in the garden) and
  • are used regularly.
Raccoon droppings with easily recognizable food remains

The typical characteristics of the legacy are:

  • Appearance: tubular, two to three centimeters long
  • slightly thicker than marten droppings
  • overall resembles a small dog poo
  • Colour: depending on the food of the omnivores
  • usually dark
  • contains food leftovers such as (raccoon) hair and the remains of berries, cherries or household waste

If the dung is pink to reddish in color, there is a high probability that it is a raccoon. Because the small bears can eat the poisonous fruits of the yew without harm.

Notice: The smell of raccoon droppings is less pungent than that of martens.

Remove raccoon feces

Since diseases can be transmitted via the solution of raccoon droppings, you should dispose of them

  • wear gloves, overshoes and mouth and nose protection,
  • clean the latrine with a disinfectant spray,
  • put the legacy in a sealable plastic bag and
  • dispose of these together with gloves and overshoes as well as the face mask in the household waste.

Notice: Since raccoons smell very good and mark their latrines with scent marks, you should remove them with chemical cleaning agents. In this way you can prevent other animals from recognizing the shared toilet.

risk of confusion

However, since other animals are also in the garden during the night and also leave their droppings, confusion can arise:

Squirrel (top), badger (bottom right), and fox droppings (bottom left)
  • Squirrel, rat and mouse droppings: significantly smaller
  • Dog droppings: not in high places
  • Fox droppings: on raised spots, but black to gray in color, tapering, acrid odor
  • Badger droppings: latrines not on high places, rough surface, cylindrical shape

frequently asked Questions

Is raccoon poop dangerous?

Since diseases can be transmitted through the faeces, it is not harmless. There is a potential danger for humans if roundworm eggs are inhaled.

How well can I recognize the remains of berries etc.?

These indigestible elements in raccoon droppings can be identified easily, i.e. with the naked eye. However, since the feces can be dangerous for humans, you should wear a mouth and nose protector for a closer look.

What scents can I use to keep raccoons away?

Night visitors don't like the smell of dogs. You can protect garages, attics or garden sheds by laying out a used dog blanket or hanging bags of dog hair in front of potential entry points.

Category:

Animals in the garden