Alberta's raccoon population has traditionally resided in the southeast portion of the province. However, in recent years, raccoon territory has expanded to include central Alberta.

Raccoons are about the size of a house-cat. They are a grizzled grey colour with the distinct black ‘bandit’ face-mask and a tail marked by alternating black and brown rings.

Behaviour

Raccoons are very adaptable. They exist on a wide variety of foods and quickly take advantage of human activities to help with their survival. They tend to be nocturnal and may be seen near water bodies eating waterfowl eggs, frogs and insects. In farmyards, they take shelter under buildings eating spilled grain, garden produce, insects and farmyard scraps.

They co-exist with humans in an urban environment inhabiting backyards, green spaces and garbage collection facilities. Raccoons mate in late winter and often den close to where food scraps are readily available to feed the young born in spring. 

Disease

Raccoons may carry canine distemper, leptospirosis and raccoon roundworm. Care should be taken when cleaning up feces by wearing gloves and a mask. Keep your pet's rabies vaccinations updated. Even though rabies has not been found in Alberta raccoons, it is in eastern Canada populations.

Coexistence strategies

Raccoons have expanded their range and have become more common in Strathcona County. They find their way in Alberta as unwanted passengers on moving vans, farm machinery, farm produce vehicles and railcars.

Raccoons may be hunted throughout the year. To deter raccoons from frequenting your property you must remove food sources or the shelter available to them. Keep garbage in a shed or locked garbage container, do not leave pet food available, remove bird feeders until the winter months when raccoons are dormant. 

Electric fences 20 cm above the ground along a garden patch will deter the invaders.

You can also take steps to manage raccoons by:

• Keeping a clean yard site; remove brush piles or stacks of debris
• Blocking off access to hiding places around buildings
• Removing food sources

Trapping

While trapping is an option, it may not solve the concerns long term, if there are available den locations or food sources on your property. Properly addressing the available shelter and food will provide you with long term relief of conflicts if raccoons are living on your property. When trapping for raccoons where skunks may be present it is recommended that you position the trap on an elevated surface as to eliminate the chance of catching a skunk. 

• Baits including eggs, fruit spread and jams on bread, hot dogs and dog food are recommended. 

• If required, raccoon traps are available from the County for a fee of $50.00 + GST for a two-week period.

• Please call 780-464-8080 to book a trap (office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

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