How Do You Get Raccoons Out Of Your Yard: Safe Methods

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How Do You Get Raccoons Out Of Your Yard: Safe Methods

Wondering how to get raccoons out of your yard? The most effective and safe methods involve making your yard less appealing to them by removing attractants, securing potential entry points, and using humane deterrents. This blog post will delve into these strategies and explain how to achieve backyard pest control without harming these clever creatures.

Making Your Yard Less Inviting: The Cornerstone of Raccoon Deterrence

Raccoons are drawn to yards that offer a buffet and a safe haven. To effectively get rid of raccoons, the first step is to identify and eliminate what’s attracting them. This is the foundation of any successful raccoon deterrence strategy.

Eliminating Food Sources: A Critical Step

Raccoons are opportunistic eaters, and our backyards often present easy meals. Addressing these attractants is paramount for any effective raccoon exclusion plan.

Pet Food and Water Bowls

• Bring them inside: Pet food left outdoors is a powerful attractant. Feed your pets indoors or remove their food and water bowls promptly after meals. This simple step is crucial for backyard pest control.
• Secure storage: If you must store pet food outside, ensure it’s in a sturdy, animal-proof container. Metal trash cans with secure lids are often a good choice.

Garbage Cans and Compost Bins

• Ransom-proof your trash: Raccoons are notorious for getting into garbage cans. Invest in heavy-duty trash cans with tight-fitting lids. Consider bungee cords or straps to further secure the lids.
• Cleanliness is key: Rinse food containers before discarding them to reduce lingering smells that attract raccoons.
• Compost wisely: Avoid adding meat scraps, dairy products, or oily foods to your compost bin, as these are particularly appealing to raccoons. Cover your compost bin with a secure lid.

Fallen Fruits and Nuts

• Regular cleanup: If you have fruit trees or nut-bearing trees, collect fallen produce regularly. Don’t let it sit on the ground, as it becomes an easy snack for raccoons.
• Consider netting: For low-hanging fruit, you might consider using netting to prevent raccoons from accessing it easily.

Bird Feeders

• Squirrel-proof feeders: While intended for birds, many feeders are also a magnet for raccoons. Opt for feeders designed to deter larger animals.
• Strategic placement: Hang bird feeders high off the ground and away from trees or structures that raccoons can use to jump onto them.
• Clean up spills: Spilled birdseed on the ground can also attract raccoons. Clean up any mess beneath feeders.

Removing Shelter and Den Sites

Raccoons seek safe places to rest, sleep, and raise their young. Eliminating these potential den sites is a vital part of getting raccoons out of your yard and preventing their return.

Under Decks and Porches

• Seal entry points: Raccoons often find shelter under decks and porches. Inspect these areas for any openings and seal them with sturdy wire mesh or lattice. Ensure the mesh is buried a few inches into the ground to prevent digging underneath.
• Regular inspection: Make a habit of checking these areas periodically, especially during breeding seasons.

Attics and Garages

• Secure vents and openings: Raccoons can squeeze through surprisingly small openings. Seal any gaps or holes in your attic or garage walls, eaves, and chimneys. Install sturdy metal flashing or chimney caps.
• Inspect regularly: Pay attention to any new noises or signs of entry.

Brush Piles and Overgrown Vegetation

• Clear debris: Large brush piles or overgrown areas can provide excellent hiding spots and den sites for raccoons. Keep your yard tidy by clearing away debris and trimming back dense vegetation.
• Secure sheds and outbuildings: Ensure sheds and other outbuildings are well-maintained and free of holes or openings.

Humane Raccoon Removal Strategies

When attractants and shelter removal aren’t enough, or if you’re dealing with a persistent raccoon problem, humane wildlife removal methods are the way to go. The goal is to encourage them to leave on their own without causing them harm.

Raccoon Exclusion Techniques

Raccoon exclusion focuses on preventing them from entering specific areas, particularly your home. This is a highly effective method of raccoon proofing.

One-Way Doors

• How they work: One-way doors, also known as exclusion doors, are designed to allow raccoons to exit a space but prevent them from re-entering. These are typically installed over the primary entry point.
• Proper installation: It’s crucial to ensure all other potential entry points are sealed before installing a one-way door. If there are other ways out, the raccoons will simply use those instead.
• When to use: These are particularly effective for raccoons trapped in attics or crawl spaces.

Sealing Entry Points

• Material choice: Use sturdy materials like heavy-gauge hardware cloth (1/4-inch or 1/2-inch mesh), metal flashing, or concrete to seal openings. Raccoons can chew through wood or plastic.
• Thoroughness: Inspect your home from top to bottom, including the roofline, foundation, vents, and any openings for pipes or wires.

Introducing Odor Deterrents: An Animal Repellent Approach

Raccoons have a keen sense of smell, and certain odors can be highly unpleasant and serve as effective animal repellent.

Ammonia-Soaked Rags

• Application: Soak rags in ammonia and place them in areas where raccoons are present, such as near den sites or entry points. The strong smell can be quite off-putting.
• Reapplication: Ammonia evaporates, so you’ll need to reapply it regularly for continued effectiveness. Be cautious not to overdo it, as the smell can be strong for humans as well.

Predator Urine

• Natural deterrent: Urine from natural predators like coyotes or foxes can signal danger to raccoons and encourage them to move on.
• Availability: You can often purchase predator urine at garden centers or online. Follow product instructions for application.

Mothballs (Use with Caution)

• Effectiveness and Concerns: Mothballs contain naphthalene, which can deter raccoons. However, they are toxic to pets and children if ingested and can be harmful to the environment.
• Responsible Use: If you choose to use mothballs, do so sparingly, only in enclosed areas where pets and children cannot access them, and never near water sources. Many experts recommend avoiding them due to their toxicity.

Essential Oils

• Natural repellents: Certain essential oils, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and castor oil, have strong scents that raccoons dislike.
• Application: Mix a few drops of these oils with water and spray them around the perimeter of your yard or near problem areas.

Introducing Sound Deterrents: Deterring Nocturnal Animals

Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, so disrupting their nighttime activities can be an effective raccoon deterrence strategy.

Motion-Activated Sprinklers

• Surprise element: These devices detect motion and emit a burst of water, which can startle raccoons and encourage them to leave the area.
• Coverage: Position sprinklers strategically to cover common raccoon pathways.

Ultrasonic Devices

• High-frequency sound: Ultrasonic devices emit sound waves at frequencies that are unpleasant to raccoons but generally inaudible to humans and pets.
• Placement: Place these devices in areas where raccoons frequent. Their effectiveness can vary depending on the specific device and the environment.

Radios

• Constant presence: Leaving a radio on in the affected area, especially at night, can create the impression of human presence and deter raccoons.
• Talk radio: Talk radio can be particularly effective due to the constant human voices.

Raccoon Proofing Your Property: Long-Term Solutions

To truly get rid of raccoons and prevent future infestations, you need to implement long-term raccoon proofing measures. This is about making your property inhospitable to them.

Securing Outdoor Structures

• Sheds and garages: As mentioned, seal all openings. Consider adding a skirt of hardware cloth around the base of sheds to prevent digging.
• Chicken coops: If you have chickens, a raccoon-proof coop is essential. Use heavy-gauge wire mesh for the entire enclosure, including the floor, and ensure the door is securely latched.

Protecting Gardens and Produce

• Fencing: A sturdy fence can be a great deterrent. Ensure the fence is at least 3-4 feet high and buried 6-12 inches into the ground to prevent digging. Raccoons are good climbers, so consider adding an outward-facing overhang at the top.
• Netting: For smaller garden areas or specific plants, netting can provide a physical barrier.

Managing Water Sources

• Eliminate standing water: Raccoons are attracted to water sources. Empty bird baths that are not in use, fix leaky outdoor faucets, and ensure gutters are not holding standing water.

When to Call the Professionals

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may still need assistance. If you have a severe infestation, a raccoon has entered your home and refuses to leave, or if you are uncomfortable handling the situation yourself, it’s time to call in the experts.

Humane Wildlife Removal Services

• Expertise: Professional wildlife removal services have the knowledge and equipment to safely and humanely remove raccoons. They are skilled in raccoon exclusion and trapping.
• Licensing and Insurance: Ensure you hire a licensed and insured wildlife removal company. They will follow ethical practices and adhere to local regulations for animal control.
• Integrated Pest Management: A good service will offer an integrated approach that includes removal, exclusion, and advice on preventing future problems. They can help you with comprehensive backyard pest control.

Trapping Raccoons

• Live traps: Live traps are the most humane option for trapping raccoons. These traps are designed to capture the animal without causing injury.
• Proper baiting: Use effective bait such as canned fruit, peanut butter, or marshmallows.
• Placement: Set traps along known raccoon pathways or near areas of activity.
• Relocation: Important: In many areas, it is illegal to relocate wildlife. If you trap a raccoon, check your local wildlife regulations. Relocated animals may struggle to survive in unfamiliar territory. Often, the best approach is to encourage them to leave your property rather than attempting relocation.

Safety Precautions When Dealing With Raccoons

Raccoons, while cute, can carry diseases and are capable of defending themselves. It’s crucial to prioritize safety when attempting to get raccoons out of your yard.

• Rabies: Raccoons are a primary carrier of rabies. Never approach a raccoon that appears sick, disoriented, aggressive, or unusually tame. If you suspect a rabid animal, contact animal control immediately.
• Distemper: Raccoons can also carry canine distemper, which is highly contagious and can affect pets.
• Bites and Scratches: If you are bitten or scratched by a raccoon, seek immediate medical attention.
• Protective Gear: When handling traps or materials used for exclusion, wear sturdy gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from bites and scratches.

Creating a Raccoon-Resistant Yard: A Proactive Approach

The best way to deal with raccoons is to prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place. This involves adopting a proactive stance towards backyard pest control and implementing effective raccoon deterrence strategies.

Landscape Modifications

• Trim trees: Trim tree branches that overhang your roof or deck, as these provide easy access for climbing raccoons.
• Remove hiding spots: Clear away debris, woodpiles, and dense undergrowth that could serve as shelter.

Regular Maintenance

• Consistent cleanup: Regularly clean up your yard, especially fallen fruit, pet food, and any other potential attractants.
• Inspect your home: Periodically check your home’s exterior for any new openings or potential entry points.

What Attracts Raccoons to a Yard?

Raccoons are attracted to yards that offer readily available food sources, water, and safe shelter. Key attractants include:

• Unsecured garbage: This is a primary attraction due to accessible food scraps.
• Pet food left outdoors: Similar to garbage, pet food is a high-value, easily accessible food source.
• Fallen fruit and nuts: Natural food sources from trees are a significant draw.
• Bird feeders: Birdseed and the activity around feeders can attract raccoons.
• Water sources: Puddles, leaky faucets, and open water containers provide drinking water.
• Shelter: Areas like decks, porches, attics, garages, and dense brush piles offer safe havens for resting and denning.

Can I Use Poison to Get Rid of Raccoons?

No, it is highly discouraged and often illegal to use poison to get rid of raccoons. Poison is not a humane method of raccoon removal and poses significant risks:

• Non-Target Animals: Poisons can harm or kill pets, other wildlife, and even birds of prey that might consume the poisoned animal.
• Suffering: Poison causes a slow and painful death to the animal.
• Environmental Contamination: Poisons can contaminate soil and water sources.
• Scavenging: A poisoned raccoon might die in an inaccessible location, leading to decomposition and odor issues, or it could be scavenged by other animals, spreading the poison.

For these reasons, humane methods and exclusion techniques are always the preferred approach for backyard pest control.

FAQ Section: Addressing Common Raccoon Concerns

Q1: How do I know if I have raccoons in my yard?
Signs of raccoons in your yard include:
* Unusual noises at night, especially scratching or chattering sounds.
* Tracks in the garden beds or mud, which often have five-fingered prints similar to a small human hand.
* Damage to garbage cans, often with lids pried off or cans tipped over.
* Droppings (scat) that are typically tubular and may contain undigested food items like seeds, berries, or insect exoskeletons.
* Visible damage to gardens, such as dug-up plants or chewed fruits.
* Signs of entry or nesting in attics, crawl spaces, or under decks.

Q2: What is the best time of day to try and get raccoons out of my yard?
Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active from dusk through dawn. While they might occasionally be seen during the day, especially if they are hungry or seeking shelter, the best times to implement deterrents or observe their activity are in the early evening as they begin to emerge or in the early morning before they return to their dens. However, the most effective methods of raccoon exclusion and raccoon proofing are ongoing maintenance and sealing, not dependent on specific times of day.

Q3: Will repellents work on raccoons?
Yes, certain repellents can be effective as part of a broader raccoon deterrence strategy. Raccoons have sensitive senses of smell and hearing. Products that emit strong odors (like ammonia, predator urine, or certain essential oils) or high-frequency sounds (ultrasonic devices) can make an area less appealing to them. However, repellents are most effective when used in conjunction with removing attractants and sealing entry points. They are not a standalone solution for how to get rid of raccoons.

Q4: How can I safely remove a baby raccoon?
If you find baby raccoons, it’s best to leave them alone unless they are in immediate danger. The mother is likely nearby and will return. If you suspect the babies are orphaned or the mother is deceased, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or animal control service. Humane wildlife removal experts can assess the situation and provide appropriate care or removal services for the young raccoons and their mother. Attempting to remove baby raccoons yourself can be dangerous for both you and the animals, and the mother may become aggressive if she feels her young are threatened.

Q5: What’s the most humane way to deal with raccoons?
The most humane way to deal with raccoons involves making your yard and home inhospitable to them, thus encouraging them to move on voluntarily. This includes:
* Removing attractants: Eliminating food and water sources.
* Sealing entry points: Practicing raccoon exclusion to prevent them from denning in structures.
* Using natural deterrents: Employing smells or sounds that they dislike.
* Professional assistance: Consulting with humane wildlife removal services if the problem persists.

The goal is always safe raccoon removal through deterrence and exclusion, rather than capture and relocation or any method that causes harm.