Raccoons are omnivorous creatures, and will eat a variety of different types of food. Raccoon’s diet can vary depending on the season, location, and availability of food sources.
In the wild, raccoons are opportunistic eaters and will consume whatever food is available to them.
In urban areas, raccoons often rely on human-provided food sources such as garbage bins and pet food left outside.
Lets explore further the seven most common food sources for raccoons.
7 Food Sources For Raccoons
- Invertebrates
- Small Mammals
- Aquatic Animals
- Fruits And Berries
- Nuts And Seeds
- Vegetables And Other Plants
- Human Provided Food Sources
Raccoons Will Dine On Invertebrates
One of the primary food sources for raccoons is invertebrates, such as insects, crayfish, and snails.
If you have a pond or stream on or near your property, raccoons may be using them as a source of food.
Small Mammals Are Also On The Menu for Raccoons
They are also known to consume small mammals, such as mice, moles and voles.
Small rodents like to live near humans and may attract raccoons.
A good way to deter them is to ensure your lawn is mole and vole free.
Raccoons Love Eating Aquatic Animals
Raccoons are also known to eat fish, frogs, and other aquatic animals.
If you have a pond in your yard, raccoons may be visiting it as a food source.
Raccoons Relish Eating Fruits And Berries
They are also known to consume fruits and berries, such as grapes, apples, pears, plums, peaches, cherries, citrus, mulberries, figs, mangos, strawberries and blueberries.
Once raccoons acquire a taste for something in your garden they can be relentless in their efforts to feed on it. Its best to pick up fallen fruit from under your trees often to deter raccoons.
Raccoons Feast On Nuts And Seeds
If you have trees on your property, then you most certainly will attract raccoons. Raccoons eat a wide variety of nuts from trees such as acorns, walnuts, peanuts and hickory nuts.
In addition to nuts, raccoons will a wide variety of seeds. Some common ones are safflower seeds, sunflower seeds and of course any variety of bird seed you have in your yard will attract them.
Vegetables And Other Plants Are A Common Food For Raccoons
Raccoons will eat an assortment of vegetables especially corn. They will also eat beans, peas, squash, potato’s carrots, sweet potato’s and tomato’s. In addition to vegetables, raccoons may eat any leafy greens you have growing in your garden.
The Raccoon Menu Includes Human Provided Food Sources
Raccoons are also known to eat human-provided food sources such as garbage, pet food, left over food from picnics outside and birdseed. These food sources are often easy for raccoons to access, and they will return to the same location repeatedly to feed.
Conclusion
Raccoon can be difficult to exclude, which can be a problem for homeowners, as raccoons can become a nuisance and can cause damage to property.
They have been known to raid gardens, orchards and farms in search of food.
If you have a raccoon problem on your property, it is important to eliminate any potential food sources. This can include securing garbage cans, removing pet food, and cleaning up fallen fruit from trees.
You can also use repellents, such as ammonia or hot pepper sauce, to deter raccoons from your property.
To learn more on how to deter raccoons read my post on the 22 Best Ways to Get Rid of Raccoons.
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