Do these wild animals ie deer, fox, racoon, etc threaten infants? I've always wanted to move into a wooded area from the city but now Im scared that my young baby may be harmed.

We live well inside the beltway near the McLean Arlington line. I have seen fox, deer, possom, raccoon, squirrel, groundhog, chipmunk, rabbit, at least 2 dozen bird species, evidence of moles, feral cat.... I have always liked the idea that they were able to figure out how to live as we have expanded into their territory.

Anonymous wrote:
After watching the fox wander through our front yard, into our fenced backyard, and then into the neighbor's fenced backyard, we've decided against getting a kitten. Adult cat only.

If you don't want foxes to get your cat, then keep the cat inside. It's better for the birds anyway.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps, you need to move back to the city.

Nice try. I've lived in the suburbs my entire life. In fact my childhood home was on a much larger and more wooded lot than I have hear and other than birds and squirrels, we did not have any of these other issues growing up.

I think it will start with the "deer off" spray my neighbor told me about and perhaps get rid of my hostas. Will move to a fence if necessary.

I grew up on a farm and we had none of these problems, of course, we had farm dogs to keep away unwanted animals. I've lived in Franconia the last 13 years and have had all the animals you've listed plus possums, skunks and coyotes. Being in suburbia doesn't mean you'll be animal free - why do you think all the trash cans have lids on them? I think you'll find sparying ineffective and frustrating.

After watching the fox wander through our front yard, into our fenced backyard, and then into the neighbor's fenced backyard, we've decided against getting a kitten. Adult cat only.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps, you need to move back to the city.

Nice try. I've lived in the suburbs my entire life. In fact my childhood home was on a much larger and more wooded lot than I have hear and other than birds and squirrels, we did not have any of these other issues growing up.

I think it will start with the "deer off" spray my neighbor told me about and perhaps get rid of my hostas. Will move to a fence if necessary.

I grew up on a farm and we had none of these problems, of course, we had farm dogs to keep away unwanted animals. I've lived in Franconia the last 13 years and have had all the animals you've listed plus possums, skunks and coyotes. Being in suburbia doesn't mean you'll be animal free - why do you think all the trash cans have lids on them? I think you'll find sparying ineffective and frustrating.

Theyve just had their babies. Lots of animals are looking for food for babies, Or the teenage babies are out foraging for themselves.

What other PP's have said is correct, Animals are out more in the daytime that they used to be because of all the noise we make, and lights we have on at night.

Leave them all alone, none of then are going to hurt you,

Anonymous wrote:keep a 22 on hand for small pests

It'll take care of everything but the deer. You'll need a bow and arrow for them.

keep a 22 on hand for small pests

Fence seems like best idea.

Clean up yard from debris, wood piles, etc. Get rid of places critters find cozy.

When we lived in a different part of the country we used something called Snake Off or Snake Away (or something like that) for the rattle snakes. It worked, but I'm not sure if it would work for what's out here. Of course, it's a chemical which has it's own set of complications.

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps, you need to move back to the city.

Nice try. I've lived in the suburbs my entire life. In fact my childhood home was on a much larger and more wooded lot than I have hear and other than birds and squirrels, we did not have any of these other issues growing up.

I think it will start with the "deer off" spray my neighbor told me about and perhaps get rid of my hostas. Will move to a fence if necessary.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. You can be as crunchy, Mother Earth as you want to be. A giant, aggressive raccoon is NOT welcome on my deck. Ever.

I will continue my search for solutions.

Do you know how stupid you sound? Being tolerant of nature when YOU move to a wooded area (even minimally wooded) without a fence is not "crunchy" or "Mother Earth."
PS- what you described is not a "giant, aggressive" racoon. Racoons are curious and michevious by nature. They have learned to adapt to humans and are not necessarily afraid of them as they once were. What you describe is, in a word, normal.

Move to the city, sister. Sounds like you'll be happier there.

Op sounds like a total idiot

Anonymous wrote:OP here. You can be as crunchy, Mother Earth as you want to be. A giant, aggressive raccoon is NOT welcome on my deck. Ever.

I will continue my search for solutions.

I'm the pp who used to live in the wooded area. I'm not crunchy/mother earth type on most things...especially compared to this board. But moving into a wooded area means there will be wildlife. They go hand in hand.

I dont understand what means you are looking for that don't involve putting up a fence. What are you going to do, set up animal traps?

Where are wildlife suppose to live? We've encroached into every nook anc cranny, build homes in the mountains, and then complain when there's wildlife. Really, what are they to do? Unbelievable. Deal with it or move - those are your options.