10 Reasons to Welcome Raccoons into Your Backyard

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Have you ever caught a raccoon darting across your yard at dusk and wondered if it was a blessing or a nuisance? Though these masked critters often get a bad rap for rifling through trash bins, they actually bring a lot of benefits to your backyard ecosystem. The bigger picture is, they may prove to be the unexpected allies your garden needs.

People tend to know raccoons for their mischief. The thing is, these animals are intelligent and they’ve adapted brilliantly to both urban and suburban landscapes and make out just fine where other animals don’t. To some, they may be considered pests, but they are actually very important to maintaining a healthy backyard. Now, let’s get into some reasons why you might want to roll out the welcome mat for these furry friends.

Natural Pest Controllers

The animal kingdom’s unsung pest patrol is the raccoon. They snack on beetles, grubs and other garden destroying insects. Imagine them as a free, nature’s four legged exterminator! Raccoons help keep our plants healthier without chemicals as they eat these pests.

Seed Spreaders Extraordinaire

As raccoons munch on fruits and berries, they do so often unknowingly spreading seeds throughout your yard. They ‘plant’ seeds along the way in their droppings, assisting wildflowers and native plants to grow. Raccoons are helpful by nature’s way of recycling, and will help beautify your garden and give plenty of joy.

Fascinating Entertainment at Nighttime

You don’t need a subscription to a streaming service when there are raccoons to watch. These curious creatures can be downright entertaining. They sometimes make small, cute dramas in the moonlight, from opening of jars with their nimble hands to amusing fiddling with garden decorations.

Promoters of Biodiversity

Raccoons’ habits can improve backyard biodiversity. They manage insect populations and spread seeds and in doing so help create an environment where a number of species can exist. The diversity in your yard means it serves as a mini-ecosystem full of life, even birds and butterflies.

They Keep Rodents in Check

Raccoons are good at keeping rodents like mice and voles under control, though you might not expect that. Because of their omnivorous diet, they will sometimes eat smaller mammals to control the population and protect your garden from too hungry nibblers.

Highly Intelligent Guests

Raccoons are smart, like smart smart — puzzle solving, latch opening, Houdini level smart. A study discovered that raccoons can solve complex problems and remember the solutions, which is apparently good for a minimum of three years. With this intelligence, they are perfectly able to adapt to any environment and be a resourceful neighbour.

Reminding us of Nature’s Resilience

Something about raccoons living in the suburbs is inspiring. They are a reminder of what nature is capable of adapting to, even in the spaces we have taken over. They remind us to live together and respect the wildlife from our world.

Children’s Wildlife Education

The presence of raccoons in your yard can be a great opportunity for kids to learn all about wildlife up close. Kids learn about animal behavior and respect for nature and the necessity of biodiversity just by watching these creatures from afar. It is like having a living science lesson just outside your door.

Expert Insight

‘Raccoons are often misunderstood,’ says Dr. Suzanne MacDonald, a wildlife psychologist and York University professor. They are very intelligent animals that are very excellent at survival. “They’re problem solvers. They’re not just scavengers,” he says. Thinking along those lines can change our perspective of how they fit into our backyards.

A Rare Connection to the Wild

In this world of concrete and tech, raccoons are the wild ones right breathing down your backdoor. It’s a reminder that there’s still wild in even the most urban of settings. Seeing them do their thing can make us feel connected to something larger than ourselves — a bit of nature right on the home turf.

All Will Benefit From a Balanced Ecosystem

Raccoons are small, but important predators for keeping your backyard ecosystem thriving. A National Institute of Health study says predators help reduce pest populations by 73% and promote crop yield by 25%. This cascading effect not only supports pollinators, but birds, making your yard a more vibrant and alive place.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.