People in Pacific Grove are seeing raccoons in droves these days.
VIDEO: Residents see more raccoons in Pacific Grove
Statistics don't show animal control efforts on the rise, but many neighbors said they are seeing the critters everywhere.
Their concerns are verified. In 1998, a Pacific Grove child suffered serious brain damage after ingesting raccoon feces that was in his family's yard.
As other parts of California report a boost in bobcats, mountain lionl and deer that moving closer to urban areas looking for water, some wonder if the same thing is happening with raccoons.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Monterey County notes that it has not seen an increase in calls.
There are a number of things people can do to their homes to make them less appealing to raccoons, like keeping porch lights or radios on, trimming hedges and securing pet food.
Raccoons also tend to avoid trash cans surrounded by ammonia-soaked towels.