Highly adaptable, raccoons prefer forest habitats but have adjusted to a variety of environments, including urban and suburban areas where they thrive in close association with humans.

Though nocturnal, raccoons are sometimes active during the day. Raccoons make dens in hollow trees, rock crevices, or burrows dug by other animals, and in storm sewers, crawl spaces, chimneys, and attics.

Except during extreme weather or when a mother is denned with her young, raccoons do not occupy a den for more than one or two days. Females that are disturbed will often move their young to new dens. Raccoons do not hibernate or go into torpor, but they do live off stored body fat when food is scarce during the winter.

Raccoons are omnivorous. They eat fruit, vegetables, nuts insects, and small animals, including crayfish, crabs, frogs, and fish. Male raccoons have overlapping home ranges. Unrelated raccoons tend to avoid each other, but several may share a communal den during winter storms.

Breeding season extends from late winter through early spring, with females generally giving birth between April and June to an average litter of three or four babies. They remain in their birth den until they are about seven weeks old, at which point their mother moves them to a series of alternate dens. In some parts of the country, young raccoons spend their first winter with their mothers. In western Washington, many disperse in the fall.

Once habituated to people, raccoons can become bold and their presence, especially in large numbers, can pose problems for home and landowners. The most effective way to deal with raccoons is to modify habitat so that they will not be attracted to human-provided sources of food and shelter.

Never feed raccoons. Dispose of food scraps and trash in a metal can, and make sure the lid fits tightly. A can equipped with locking handle clasps will work, as will a conventional trash can secured with a bungee cord or chain. Raccoons are also drawn into areas where pets are fed outside. It is best not to feed cats and dogs outside, but if you have no other alternative, pick up food and water bowls, as well as leftovers and spilled food well before dusk. Never leave food outside at night.

Raccoons sometimes raid gardens to eat fruits and vegetables, particularly crops such as grapes and corn. By using bright lights, especially those activated by motion, or by creating noise disturbances when the animals are present, gardeners may be able to deter raccoons until crops are ready to be harvested.

Sometimes, raccoons find shelter in uncapped chimneys, and adult females may use them as a denning site to give birth and care for their young. Prevent potential problems by capping all chimney openings. If you suspect raccoons are present, do not try to smoke them out.

Raccoons may also seek shelter under porches, in crawl spaces, or in attics where they can gain access through boards or large holes. From early spring through the summer, assume there are young, and wait until they are old enough for their mother to move before you attempt to exclude them. Once you are positive there are no young present, you can drive raccoons out by putting up bright, flashing lights, turning on a radio set to a talk station, and hanging mesh bags filled with moth balls or soaked in ammonia. When you think the animals have left, tack a sheet of plastic over the entry and check to see if animals have broken through it. Be sure to leave the light and radio on until there is no sign of activity, then seal the entry.

Occasionally, raccoons venture into houses through pet doors when they smell food on the other side of the door. It is best to stay calm, close surrounding interior doors, leave the room and let the animal find the way out of the pet door or out of an open door or window. Lock pet doors at night or install a door that is electronically activated to open by signals from your pet's collar, and do not leave pet food near the opening.

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