We live in a two story house that was built into a hill. There’s a large deck on the upper floor and a much smaller deck below:
In order to keep rain off folks sitting on the lower deck, we installed metal slants between the two decks.
Can you spot who has moved into the narrow space between the metal slats and the upper deck?.
Yes, the mother raccoon and her babies. I haven’t been lucky enough to get a picture of the babies yet but I can sure hear them.
Here is how they make their exit. I guess you could call it their “door.”
They used the old climbing rose to get down to the garden. At least the mother does.
Hopefully once the babies are big enough they’ll go away!!!
Check out other legit doors over at Dan’s place!
Saying nothing in particular 
No, they won’t go away. They will move into your bedroom. Evicting the cat will be high on their list. Probably, they will invite friends over for some Racoon down time in the comfort of your bedsheets. Eventually, you will have to head into the mountains for some camping. You will tell your tale to the wind in the trees. Little by little you will adapt to your condition, because, afterall, adaptation is at the heart of life on this planet. Congratulations on your journey and god speed. Duke P.S. You will have to name all the new animals in your bedroom.
Thanks Duke – I see that mummy bags are on sale at the REI – maybe a sign? I’ll name all of those critters after you – Dukella, Duketina, LaDukie … ; )
Jan – What a mom! She looks determined. Do you have an area with plenty of little frogs, fish and snails? I bet she has access to insects, grubs and earthworms, and whatever else they eat.
No frogs or fish but a lot of snails!
OR… the family will grow. They don’t usually go away on their own. Once the kids are teenagers and the family is out foraging, you’ll want to block the home area, somehow. Fill it in with something they can’t remove.
They sure are cute, though.
The space is really tight and once it starts getting hot, it’s going to be mighty uncomfortable. I have visions of those metal panels coming down on my head and raining raccoons!
Uh oh. As much as I love our visiting trash pandas… they live in the woods where they belong. Babies can stay with their mother for up to a year. And if mom has a nice safe place to live with a good food source, she’s not apt to leave after they’ve gone.
Maybe you need to start charging rent.
😉
The space is really tight so they can’t get much bigger and safely stay there. At least I’m hoping.
Wow, how cheeky is that? When I spotted her face in the photo, I heard myself gasp, Jan. How uncanny that she climbed up there and built a nest. This’ll be interesting….
I have no idea how she found that space. We’ve been here many many years and never even seen a raccoon.
The sooner they leave, the better.
I agree – luckily the space is very narrow and when the weather heats up it’s going to be mighty uncomfortable.
I’ll be the mom would roast well. And the little’uns might make a fine stew.
Barbie-sized coonskin caps?
Well lovely as it is now I hope the situation resolved itself…. it’s a tricky one … Nice idea not so good in practice! 💜💜
She looks like a good mom. I hope you get some pictures of the babies when she decides to move them elsewhere!
First off, that’s a legitimate door (for the challenge). Second, I agree with the others, I don’t think she’s going to leave on her own. Once the have a comfortable place, they tend to stay. They are cute, but at some point you will have to evict her. I’m sorry, but I laughed at the image of the slats falling and it raining raccoons. Good luck with this.
OH NO! What an intruder. Not entirely surprised but miffed on your behalf. My understanding of raccoons is that they have multiple homes in a neighborhood so the gang may decide to go to another spot, if you’re lucky.
Try to wait it out bit. She must be nursing, but after that, just scare them away humanely and they’ll get the message.
Well, you just built them a house. I’m not an expert on raccoons, but I suspect they might be in for a long stay… Like someone said above, take care of your cat if you have one… (The mother is so cute though…)
They outgrew the space and moved on -whew!
Pffff indeed… They’re very cute but a complete nuisance.
I hope they don’t start a racoon hotel. One family for a few months is fine, but a whole bunch might be less fine.
I’ve never seen a baby raccoon. I bet they are adorable too.
I just got a peak and then mother hustled off her baby. Most baby animals are adorable I think.