If you happen to spot a baby racoon, you might think its cute. Cute as they may be, racoons can cary rabies and are illegal to domesticate in the state of South Carolina. The city of spartanburg. According to the South Carolina Code of Laws Title 50, it is illegal to trap, import, or possess them without a permit. On top of state law, Spartanburg Animal Services outright bans any exotic or non-domesticated wildlife from being harbored within city limits. But, that doesn’t mean that occasionally a racoon or other furbearer type animal wont might try to take up residence at your place of occupancy.
What not to do?
If this is the case, never try to move it. Its not uncommon for racoons to transmit rabbies and other infectious diseases. Even baby racoons have extremely sharp claws. You also might scare the newborn which could result in it biting you. Do not attempt to feed it or attend to any wounds.
Often times a baby racoon is found in its alone because the mother is out foraging for food or relocating their den. Sometimes this means they find their way into your chimney, attic, crawlspace, or garage.
Dont try to seal the opening yet
If you suspect a raccoon is entering through an opening in your roof, chimney, attic, crawl space, or another part of your home, avoid sealing the opening until you know the animal and any young have been safely removed.
Sealing an active den can trap animals inside or separate a mother from her young. A wildlife professional can inspect the property, determine where the animals are entering, and recommend an appropriate removal and exclusion strategy.
What homeowners can do
Until a professional arrives, keep children and pets away from the area and avoid handling the raccoon. Do not attempt to feed it, move it, or treat an apparent injury yourself. If the animal is inside a living area, give it as much space as possible and avoid cornering it.
If you or someone in your household is bitten or scratched, or if raccoon saliva comes into contact with broken skin, the eyes, nose, or mouth, seek medical advice promptly and contact your local public health authority for guidance regarding possible rabies exposure.
Once the immediate situation has been addressed, wildlife professionals can also help identify potential entry points. Securing openings around the roofline, chimney, attic, crawlspace, or foundation can reduce the chance that raccoons and other wildlife will turn your property into their next den.
What About Raccoons in Spartanburg, South Carolina?
Raccoons are wild animals and are not domesticated pets. South Carolina has laws regulating the possession and handling of native wildlife, and additional local rules may apply depending on where you live.
Because wildlife regulations can vary by jurisdiction and circumstances, homeowners should not assume that they can legally capture, relocate, or keep a wild raccoon themselves.
The safest solution
The safest approach is to contact a professional wildlife removal company when you discover a raccoon or baby raccoons inside your home.
Wildlife professionals can:
- Inspect your attic, crawl space, chimney, or other areas for wildlife activity
- Identify potential entry points
- Determine whether a mother and young are present
- Safely remove or exclude wildlife using appropriate methods
- Identify areas that may need to be repaired or secured
- Help prevent raccoons and other wildlife from getting back inside
If you’ve discovered a baby raccoon in your attic, crawl space, chimney, garage, or another part of your home, don’t try to handle the situation yourself.
Contact RealTech Wildlife to have your property inspected and get professional help removing the animal and preventing wildlife from getting back inside.