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Mammals - Racoon/Skunk/Fox/Opossum
Mammals - Deer/Fawn/Rabbit/Other
Birds

   Wildlife in Crisis, Inc.
P.O. Box 1246
Weston, CT 06883
(203) 544-9913
wildlifeincrisis@snet.net



  1. There are raccoons nesting in my chimney/attic...
  2. There is a raccoon trapped inside a garbage dumpster...
  3. There is a skunk with his head caught in a hole at the base of a garbage dumpster...
  4. There is a raccoon in my yard but it's daytime - is it rabid?
  5. My neighbor has hired someone to trap all the raccoons in his yard - is this legal?
  6. An opossum, skunk, fox has wandered into my garage and it won't leave...
  7. There is a skunk/raccoon wandering around my yard with a jar on his head...
  8. Raccoons are constantly knocking down my garbage cans...
  9. Raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossums are coming in my house through my cat door...
  10. My neighbor is cutting down an old a tree with a raccoon family in it...
  11. There is a raccoon/fox going after my chickens in the coop...
  12. I have a bird feeder hanging near my house and squirrels and raccoons keep knocking it down.
  13. There is a raccoon/skunk that keeps coming on my deck...
  14. I have a raccoon, skunk, opossum, fox under my porch, shed, house...
  15. There is a skunk in my window well...




  1. There are raccoons nesting in my chimney/attic...

    1. Prevention: place a CHIMNEY CAP on your chimney. This will prevent rain, birds, squirrels and raccoons from entering your chimney while allowing smoke to escape unhindered. Chimney sweeps can install a chimney cap for you or you can purchase one at your local hardware store. Remember, raccoons and other animals are attracted to your chimney because it resembles a hollow tree!!!

    2. If a mother raccoon or other animal has already chosen your chimney as a nest site the best thing you can do is leave them be. It will only be a matter of a few weeks before the babies start venturing out with their mothers. In the interim, make sure the flue is tightly closed and put a piece of plywood in front of fireplace.

    3. NEVER MAKE A FIRE!!! Baby animals will not be able to escape and will be badly burned!

    4. If you must remove the raccoons, some research has found that mother raccoons may have an alternate nesting site. Only after dark: Ammonia soaked rags can be placed at base of fireplace (or in your attic) as well as a radio on a talk radio station to make the area unappealing for the mother. Remember that the mother raccoons will move their babies on their own in a few weeks; it is best to be patient.

    5. Never trap animals! This will only orphan babies and will create a void, which other animals will quickly fill.

    6. Once you are certain the mother and babies have left, place a chimney cap on chimney and trim branches which hang over your house and/or place four-foot high metal flashing around the base of trees providing access to your roof.

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  1. There is a raccoon trapped inside a garbage dumpster...

    1. Place a plank of wood or a thick tree branch at a 45-degree angle to act as a ramp..

    2. When you're sure the raccoon has left, keep top closed & remove debris from around dumpster which provides access.

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  1. There is a skunk with his head caught in a hole at the base of a garbage dumpster...

    1. Holes at base of dumpsters are used for loading dumpsters into trucks. These holes should be kept capped.

    2. Skunks will not spray you if they can't see you.

    3. Call WIC for help or using heavy leather gloves pour a little olive oil on skunk's neck & gently from inside and out ease the skunks head out.

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  1. There is a raccoon in my yard but it's daytime - is it rabid?

    1. Healthy mother raccoons are often active during the day foraging for extra food.

    2. Unless raccoon, skunk, fox is falling over to one side, showing signs of paralysis, or unprovoked aggression leave it be. Don't panic at the mere sight of a raccoon!!

    3. Remember: We have very long days during the summer months, nocturnal animals will often start to emerge from there dens before dark. This only means that they are hungry.

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  1. My neighbor has hired someone to trap all the raccoons in his yard - is this legal?

    1. Trapping raccoons or any wild animals en masse is illegal. During spring and summer months the raccoon or any mammal trapped is most likely to be a nursing female!

    2. The arbitrary killing of raccoons has proven to be an ineffective tactic in eliminating rabies from a particular area. In reality, raccoons that are trapped and killed are usually healthy animals. Studies of raccoons in epizootic areas indicate that more than 20 % of the raccoon population have a natural immunity to rabies, according to the Rabies Unit of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy, naturally immune individuals should be left in the population to act as a buffer for humans and pets.

    3. You are more likely to be struck by lightening than you are to contract rabies.

    4. Not a single human death has resulted from exposure to a rabid raccoon. The 2 or 3 human deaths each year in the U.S. have been attributed to the bat strain or the canine strain contracted overseas.

    5. There are five fairly species specific strains of rabies: bat, raccoon, skunk, fox, canine (coyote and domestic dog). In Connecticut we have the raccoon and bat strain. Most raccoons do not have rabies (more than 20% are actually immune), and less than 1% of bats have rabies.

    6. Raboral VRG oral rabies vaccine has virtually wiped out rabies in Europe and is currently being used very effectively in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont and many other states.

    7. VACCINATE YOUR PETS!!!
      ESPECIALLY CATS!!!

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  1. An opossum, skunk, fox has wandered into my garage and it won't leave...

    1. Turn all lights off, after dark make a trail of cheese or canned cat food out the door.

    2. Use an 8 inch thick line of flour in front of entrance to make sure it has left and if it has left CLOSE DOOR!

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  1. There is a skunk/raccoon wandering around my yard with a jar on his head...

    1. Peanut butter jars left out in recycling containers should be washed well with soap.

    2. While wearing gloves gently twist off jar. Or place a garbage can or laundry basket with a rock on top over the skunk or raccoon to contain him and quickly call WIC or local animal control officer for help.

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  1. Raccoons are constantly knocking down my garbage cans...

    1. Use a wooden hinged box (place cans inside) which can be purchased at hardware stores. Seal bags.

    2. Put garbage cans out in the morning and use garbage cans with screw on lids.

    3. Keep garbage cans inside your garage for pick up.

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  1. Raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossums are coming in my house through my cat door...

    1. KEEP CATS INSIDE!!!

    2. Remove food source which is attracting animals.

    3. Use magnetized collars and doors.

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  1. My neighbor is cutting down an old a tree with a raccoon family in it...

    1. Hollow trees (SNAGS) provide a vital source of food and shelter for wildlife.

    2. Never cut trees in spring and summer, cut in winter instead. PLEASE!!!

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  1. There is a raccoon/fox going after my chickens in the coop...

    1. Build a sturdy fence out of hardware cloth with a 6 inch lip on outside dug into ground 6 inches or line the floor with wire. Chicken wire is inadequate, it's too flimsy and raccoons can grasp chickens through it. Put a secure, well-built roof on your coop.

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  1. I have a bird feeder hanging near my house and squirrels and raccoons keep knocking it down.

    1. There are all sorts of fancy feeders out there. The Birds Nest in Ridgefield and the Duncraft catalogue carries a wide variety of feeders and baffles. A raccoon baffle on a sturdy pole 5 feet away from trees works best.

    2. Never feed birdseed laced with cayenne pepper/active ingredient capsaicin it is an irritant and can make small bird and squirrels quite ill.

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  1. There is a raccoon/skunk that keeps coming on my deck...

    1. Remove the cat/dog food that is likely attracting raccoon/skunk.

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  1. I have a raccoon, skunk, opossum, fox under my porch, shed, house...

    1. Before spring you can coax it out with ammonia soaked rags and a light or a radio. Only place these things around the area at night. Be sure you close off opening with hardware cloth once you are sure animal is gone for 2 consecutive nights. Use an 8 inch thick band of flour at entrance and look for tracks to make sure the animal is gone.

    2. If babies are involved please try to wait a few weeks until they are old enough to follow mother.

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  1. There is a skunk in my window well...

    1. If it is a shallow window well: at a 45 degree angle or less place a wooden plank with cleats or chicken wire stapled to it, with a trail of canned cat food or cheese up it. (skunks don't see or climb very well).

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