Can you keep raccoons out of your yard safely? Yes, by using a combination of exclusion, deterrents, and making your yard less attractive to them. This guide will provide expert advice on how to stop raccoons from entering your yard and address common issues like raccoons digging in your yard. We’ll explore effective raccoon deterrents and natural solutions for deterring raccoons naturally, all while focusing on humane raccoon removal and prevention tips.
Raccoons are intelligent, adaptable, and often quite bold creatures. Their presence in our yards, while sometimes fascinating, can lead to a variety of problems. From rummaging through garbage to digging up gardens and even causing damage to structures, raccoons can become a nuisance. The key to managing these nocturnal visitors lies in understanding their behavior and implementing strategies that discourage them from making your property their personal buffet or playground. Getting rid of raccoons effectively means not just addressing the immediate issue, but also employing long-term raccoon proofing and exclusion techniques.
Why Raccoons Visit Your Yard
Before we dive into how to keep raccoons out, let’s consider why they are drawn to our suburban and urban environments in the first place. Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores. This means they eat a wide variety of foods, and if your yard offers an easy meal, they’ll likely take advantage of it.
Food Sources
- Garbage Cans: This is perhaps the most common attractant. Unsecured garbage cans are an open invitation to raccoons. Their dexterous paws are remarkably adept at prying open lids, and the discarded food inside provides a readily available and high-energy meal.
- Pet Food: Leaving pet food outdoors, whether for dogs, cats, or even bird feeders, is a significant attractant. Raccoons will happily raid bowls left out overnight.
- Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes: Ripe fruits and berries are a natural food source that raccoons will readily seek out. If you have fruit-bearing plants, you might find them visited nightly during harvest season.
- Grubs and Insects: Raccoons are known for digging in lawns and gardens in search of grubs, earthworms, and other invertebrates. This can cause considerable damage to your landscaping.
- Bird Feeders: Seeds, suet, and the birds themselves can be a draw for raccoons. They are agile climbers and can often access feeders meant for smaller birds.
Shelter and Nesting Sites
- Attics and Crawl Spaces: Raccoons are adept at finding entry points into attics, garages, sheds, and under decks. These areas provide safe, dry, and warm shelter for them to rest during the day and raise their young.
- Brush Piles and Overgrown Vegetation: Dense vegetation and cluttered areas offer hiding places and potential den sites for raccoons.
Water Sources
- Bird Baths and Ponds: While not their primary attractant, access to water can make your yard more appealing, especially during dry periods.
Humane Raccoon Removal and Deterrence Strategies
When dealing with raccoons, the most effective and ethical approach is to make your yard inhospitable to them. This involves a combination of removing attractants, implementing barriers, and using deterrents.
Raccoon Proofing Your Property
Raccoon proofing is about making your property inaccessible and unappealing. It’s a proactive approach to prevention.
Securing Trash Cans
- Heavy-Duty Bins: Invest in metal trash cans with secure locking lids. Raccoons can chew through plastic and are strong enough to tip over lightweight containers.
- Bungee Cords or Straps: For existing bins, use bungee cords or ratchet straps to secure the lid tightly.
- Storage: Store trash cans in a shed or garage until trash collection day.
- Timing: Bring bins to the curb on collection day, not the night before, to minimize overnight access.
Managing Pet Food and Water
- Indoors: Feed pets indoors, especially at night. If outdoor feeding is necessary, remove uneaten food immediately after your pet has finished.
- Bird Feeders: Use squirrel-proof bird feeders or consider removing them temporarily if raccoon activity is high. Clean up any spilled seed from the ground beneath feeders.
Protecting Gardens and Yards
- Fencing: Install a sturdy fence around garden beds. For effectiveness, the fence should be at least 3 feet high, buried 6-12 inches into the ground to prevent digging underneath, and topped with an outward-facing, flexible skirt (about 1 foot wide) made of chicken wire or hardware cloth. This skirt deters climbing.
- Netting: Cover vulnerable plants, especially berry bushes and fruit trees, with fine mesh netting. Ensure the netting is secured to prevent raccoons from getting tangled.
- Rethinking Landscaping: Reduce dense brush piles and trim overhanging branches that could provide access to roofs or other structures.
Sealing Entry Points
- Attics and Crawl Spaces: Inspect your home for any openings, no matter how small. Seal gaps around pipes, vents, and under eaves with sturdy materials like hardware cloth or sheet metal. Raccoons can squeeze through surprisingly small openings.
- Decks and Sheds: Block off access to the spaces under decks and inside sheds. Use sturdy materials like heavy-gauge wire mesh or solid boards. Ensure all openings are securely fastened.
Natural Raccoon Deterrents
While exclusion is key, certain sensory deterrents can also help keep raccoons away.
Scent Deterrents
Raccoons have a keen sense of smell, and certain odors can be unpleasant for them.
- Essential Oils: Oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil can be effective. Soak cotton balls in these oils and place them around entry points, garden beds, or trash cans. Reapply regularly as the scent dissipates.
- Ammonia: The strong smell of ammonia can be a deterrent. Soak rags in ammonia and place them in areas raccoons frequent. Be cautious with ammonia as it can be harmful if ingested.
- Cayenne Pepper or Hot Sauce: Sprinkling cayenne pepper or spraying diluted hot sauce around gardens or potential entry points can irritate raccoons, making them avoid the area. This needs frequent reapplication, especially after rain.
- Used Coffee Grounds: Some people report success with scattering used coffee grounds. The scent and texture might be off-putting.
- Mothballs: While often suggested, mothballs (naphthalene) are toxic to pets and children and can be harmful to wildlife. Their use is generally not recommended as a humane or safe deterrent.
Auditory Deterrents
Noisy or sudden sounds can startle raccoons and make them seek quieter locations.
- Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These devices detect movement and spray a burst of water, which is generally a safe and effective deterrent. Raccoons dislike being sprayed unexpectedly.
- Ultrasonic Devices: These devices emit high-frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans but are meant to repel animals. Their effectiveness can be inconsistent, as some animals may habituate to the sound over time.
- Radios: Leaving a radio playing softly in a protected area (like a shed) can sometimes deter them by mimicking human presence.
Visual Deterrents
Some visual cues can make raccoons feel uneasy.
- Motion-Activated Lights: Bright lights that suddenly turn on when movement is detected can startle raccoons and make them feel exposed.
- Reflective Tape or Old CDs: Hanging shiny objects that move in the wind can create flashing reflections that may deter raccoons.
Raccoon Exclusion: What to Do When They Are Already Present
If you suspect raccoons are already living on your property, especially in an attic or crawl space, humane raccoon exclusion is crucial.
Identifying Entry and Exit Points
- Carefully inspect your home for signs of raccoon activity: droppings, greasy fur marks near openings, chewing, or nesting materials.
- Look for specific entry and exit points. Raccoons often have preferred routes.
Timing Exclusion
- Avoid Nesting Season: The most critical time to avoid exclusion is during the spring and early summer when female raccoons are raising their young (kits). Separating a mother from her kits can lead to unnecessary stress and death for the young. If you suspect babies are present, wait until they are old enough to travel with their mother (usually around late summer or early fall).
- Professional Assessment: If you are unsure about the presence of young, it is best to consult with a wildlife removal specialist.
Implementing One-Way Doors
- How They Work: One-way doors (also called exclusion doors or funnel traps) are designed to allow raccoons to exit a space but prevent them from re-entering. These are typically installed over the primary entry point.
- Installation: Securely attach the one-way door over the opening.
- Monitoring: Monitor the area to ensure the raccoons have exited. You may hear them leaving.
Sealing Remaining Openings
- Once you are confident that all raccoons have left the area, immediately seal all potential entry and exit points with robust materials like hardware cloth, metal flashing, or concrete.
Dealing with Raccoons Digging in Yard
When raccoons are digging in your yard, it’s usually a search for food, particularly grubs or beetle larvae.
- Grub Control: Address the underlying cause by treating your lawn for grubs. Beneficial nematodes or other targeted treatments can reduce the food source.
- Repellent Sprays: You can try applying natural repellents like castor oil-based products to your lawn. These can make the grubs less palatable or deter the raccoons directly.
- Physical Barriers: Temporary fencing or netting can protect specific garden areas while you address the grub problem.
When to Call a Professional
While many raccoon problems can be managed with DIY methods, there are times when professional assistance is necessary.
- Infestations: If you have a significant raccoon problem or multiple animals present.
- Nesting Animals: If you suspect raccoons are nesting in a difficult-to-access area like an attic or chimney.
- Aggressive Behavior: If raccoons appear sick, injured, or aggressive.
- Rabies Concerns: Raccoons are a common carrier of rabies. Never attempt to handle a potentially rabid animal.
Professional wildlife removal services can safely and humanely trap and relocate raccoons, and they can also provide expert advice on raccoon proofing and exclusion specific to your property.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What are the best raccoon deterrents?
A1: The best raccoon deterrents often involve making your yard unappealing. This includes securing trash cans, removing food sources like pet food and fallen fruit, installing motion-activated sprinklers, and using strong-smelling natural repellents like peppermint oil or diluted hot sauce around vulnerable areas.
Q2: Can I use ultrasonic devices to keep raccoons away?
A2: Ultrasonic devices can offer some success, but their effectiveness varies. Some raccoons may become accustomed to the sounds over time. They are best used as part of a broader strategy rather than a standalone solution.
Q3: How can I stop raccoons from entering my yard permanently?
A3: Permanent solutions involve consistent raccoon proofing and exclusion. This means regularly securing garbage, removing attractants, sealing entry points into structures, and possibly installing physical barriers like fences. Making your property less attractive and accessible is the most effective long-term strategy.
Q4: What should I do if I find baby raccoons in my yard?
A4: If you find baby raccoons, observe from a distance. The mother is likely nearby. It’s best to avoid disturbing them. If the babies appear orphaned or in danger, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or animal control for guidance. Do not attempt to move them yourself, especially if you suspect rabies.
Q5: How do I get rid of raccoons digging in my yard safely?
A5: To get rid of raccoons digging in your yard, first address the reason they are digging – usually grubs. Treat your lawn for grubs. You can also use natural repellents like castor oil sprays or sprinkle cayenne pepper on the affected areas. Installing temporary fencing around gardens can also help protect them.
Q6: Is humane raccoon removal necessary?
A6: Yes, humane raccoon removal is generally preferred. It focuses on deterring and excluding animals without causing them harm. This approach respects wildlife and is often more effective in the long run than harmful methods.
Q7: What are some natural ways of deterring raccoons naturally?
A7: Natural methods include using scents like peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, or diluted hot sauce; employing motion-activated sprinklers; and making your yard inaccessible by securing trash and sealing entry points. Planting strongly scented herbs around gardens can also help.
Q8: What are effective raccoon prevention tips?
A8: Key prevention tips include: always securing your garbage, never leaving pet food outdoors overnight, harvesting ripe fruit promptly, cleaning up fallen birdseed, and sealing any openings in your home, shed, or deck that could serve as den sites.
Q9: How do I perform raccoon exclusion correctly?
A9: Raccoon exclusion involves identifying and sealing all entry and exit points into structures. If animals are already inside, use one-way doors on primary exits to allow them to leave but not return. Crucially, avoid exclusion during the nesting season (spring/early summer) to prevent separating mothers from their young.
Q10: What materials are good for raccoon proofing?
A10: For raccoon proofing, use sturdy materials that raccoons cannot easily chew or bend. This includes heavy-gauge hardware cloth (1/2 inch or 1/4 inch mesh), sheet metal, galvanized steel flashing, and solid wood or concrete for sealing openings. Avoid flimsy plastic or thin wire mesh.