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We are Wild Animal Pest Control Phoenix, and we solve conflicts between people and wild animals. From squirrels in your attic, to raccoons in your trash, to bats, rats, birds, and snakes, we do it all. We specialize in safe and effective solutions to Arizona critter problems. We service the greater Phoenix region, and we offer fast service - we can usually schedule a same-day appointment. Give us a call at 623-439-2075 any time, 24/7, and we will discuss your unique wild animal problem, and give you a free price quote over the phone. We're ready to take your call now!

Our service range: We service La Paz County, Yuma County, Pima County, Pinal County, Gila County, Yavapai County, and more. We also service Avondale, Goodyear, Scottsdale, Buckeye, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, El Mirage, Peoria, Tolleson, Glendale, Carefree, Gilbert, Wickenburg, Cave Creek, Guadalupe, Youngtown, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, Gila Bend, Queen Creek, and more.

Wild Animal Pest Control Phoenix Education: Do Raccoons Swim?

Raccoons always live near some type of water source, whether it be natural or manmade. Their preferred habitat is in wooded areas that have some kind of water, such as a creek, stream, river, lake, or marsh. The urban raccoons will seek out swimming pools, backyard fish ponds, or ponds and waterways in parks. The natural waterways provide raccoons with much of their food, such as fish, turtles, frogs, water insects, and crawfish. They also have the habit of taking other foods to water and dabbling it in the water. This practice remains a mystery as to why they do this, but scientists and naturalists speculate that the water sensitizes their paws to better feel the food. Urban ponds often provide fish for the raccoons, too.



Can Raccoons Swim?
Yes. Raccoons are good swimmers. They can swim at an average speed of three miles per hour. They are able to stay in the water for hours at a time. Young raccoons can swim about 480 feet, the width of many rivers or lakes. Mature raccoons can easily swim up to a mile. The Torch Key raccoon, a tiny, four-and-a-half pounder, swims regularly between the Florida Keys. Many times a dog will drown when it tries to pursue a raccoon into water. If a dog is attacked by a raccoon while in the water, the raccoon will hold the dog’s head under the water until it drowns.

Swimming Pools
Urban raccoons will often find a backyard swimming pool in which to take a dip. The problem with this is, raccoons have a habit of defecating in water, whether in a river or lake, or in a swimming pool. If your swimming pool has shallow steps at one end, this makes it even more attractive for the raccoon to use your pool as a latrine. This causes problems, not only of it being gross and having to be cleaned out, but of disease, too. Raccoon feces often contain roundworm eggs, known as Baylisascaris procyonis, which may be fatal to humans, and especially young children. When a raccoon defecates in your swimming pool, it’s not enough to just scoop out the poop. It is recommended that you completely drain the pool, and then refill it. Add the proper amount of chlorination, and maybe some extra. Then, to be really safe, all a complete cycle of filtration of the water, and then replace the filter with a new one.

Previous Education Articles
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What property modifications will keep down Phoenix house mouse populations?
What is Phoenix goose egg addling?
Ways to handle a dead Phoenix animal carcass