How To Keep Raccoons Out Of Your Yard: Easy Guide

Can you keep raccoons out of your yard? Yes, you absolutely can, by understanding their habits and implementing simple, effective strategies. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to achieve successful raccoon control and prevent raccoon damage.

Raccoons, with their masked faces and nimble paws, can be charming visitors from a distance, but up close, they can become a real nuisance. They are intelligent, adaptable creatures, often drawn to our properties by the promise of food and shelter. Left unchecked, they can turn your well-kept garden into a buffet, scatter your trash cans across the neighborhood, and even find their way into your attics or sheds. Fortunately, you don’t need to resort to harsh methods to manage these nocturnal visitors. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools for effective raccoon exclusion and garden protection.

How To Keep Raccoons Out Of Your Yard
Image Source: www.thespruce.com

Why Raccoons Visit Your Yard

Before we dive into solutions, it’s helpful to know why raccoons are showing up in the first place. Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat almost anything. This versatility is what makes them so successful in urban and suburban environments.

Food Sources

Trash: This is perhaps the biggest attraction. unsecured garbage cans are an easy meal ticket for raccoons. They can tear open bags and knock over cans with surprising ease.
Pet Food: Food left out for dogs or cats overnight can be a prime target.
Gardens: Ripe fruits, vegetables, and even ornamental plants can be a tempting treat. They’re known to dig for grubs and insects in lawns too.
Bird Feeders: Spilled seeds and the feeders themselves can attract raccoons, especially at night.
Compost Bins: Unsecured compost bins are an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Shelter

Raccoons seek safe, dry places to rest and raise their young.

Attics and Crawl Spaces: These offer warmth and protection from the elements and predators.
Sheds and Garages: These structures can provide easy access and shelter.
Under Decks and Porches: These areas offer a secluded space for them to den.
Hollow Trees or Logs: While less common in developed areas, these natural dens are still preferred when available.

Simple Steps for Deterring Raccoons

The most effective way to keep raccoons out is to remove the things that attract them and make your yard less appealing. This is the core of good raccoon control.

1. Trash Can Security: Your First Line of Defense

This is often the easiest and most impactful step you can take.

Securing Your Garbage

Heavy-Duty Bins: Invest in trash cans designed with raccoon-resistant features. Look for bins with locking lids or heavy-duty clasps.
Secure Lids: Even if your bins don’t have special locks, ensure the lids fit tightly. Raccoons can often pry open loose lids.
Straps and Bungees: For standard bins, use bungee cords or straps to secure the lid tightly to the bin.
Store Bins Securely: If possible, store your trash cans in a locked shed or garage until collection day. This prevents raccoons from accessing them at all.
Cleanliness is Key: Rinse out your trash cans regularly to remove food residue that attracts raccoons with its scent.

What to Avoid

Leaving Trash Out Overnight: Put your trash out as close to pickup time as possible.
Overfilling Bins: This makes it easier for raccoons to get a grip and tip them over.

2. Food Sources Beyond Trash

Be mindful of other potential food sources around your property.

Pet Food Management

Bring Pet Food Indoors: Never leave pet food or water bowls outside overnight.
Clean Up Spills: Immediately clean up any spilled kibble or leftover food from feeding areas.

Bird Feeder Strategies

Pole Baffles: Install conical baffles above and below bird feeders to prevent raccoons from climbing the poles.
Squirrel-Proof Feeders: Some feeders are designed to close under the weight of larger animals like raccoons.
Timed Feeders: Consider feeders that only open during daylight hours.
Clean Up Spilled Seed: Raccoons will eat fallen seeds. Regularly sweep or rake under feeders.

Fruit and Vegetable Management

Harvest Promptly: Pick ripe fruits and vegetables from your garden as soon as they are ready.
Compost with Caution: If you compost, ensure your bin is sturdy and has a tight-fitting lid. Avoid composting meat scraps or dairy products, which are particularly attractive to raccoons.

Creating a Raccoon-Unfriendly Environment

Making your yard a less hospitable place is crucial for long-term raccoon control.

3. Eliminating Shelter Opportunities

Raccoons look for safe places to hide and raise their young. Seal off potential entry points and remove attractive den sites.

Animal Proofing Your Home and Property

Seal Entry Points: Thoroughly inspect your home for any openings that could allow raccoons access. This includes:
- Soffits and Vents: Check for damaged soffits, missing vent covers, or gaps. Use sturdy wire mesh (like hardware cloth) to cover vents, ensuring it’s secured from the inside if possible.
- Chimneys: Install a chimney cap with sturdy mesh to prevent entry.
- Gaps Under Decks and Porches: Raccoons love to den in these dark, protected spaces. Install a solid skirt or wire mesh around the perimeter, buried a few inches into the ground to prevent digging under.
- Gaps in Foundations: Seal any cracks or holes in your foundation walls.
Secure Sheds and Garages: Ensure doors and windows are kept closed and in good repair. Seal any holes or gaps in the walls or roof.
Remove Debris: Clear away piles of leaves, woodpiles, or overgrown vegetation, as these can provide shelter.

Humane Raccoon Removal (If Necessary)

If you suspect raccoons are already living in your attic or under your deck, humane removal is the best approach.

Identify Entry/Exit Points: Observe at dusk or dawn to see where they are coming and going.
One-Way Doors: Professional wildlife removal services can install one-way exclusion doors. These allow animals to leave but prevent them from re-entering.
Timing is Crucial: Avoid installing exclusion devices during breeding season (typically late spring/early summer) as you could trap young raccoons inside, leading to their distress and potential death.

4. Garden Protection

Your beautiful garden can be a major draw for raccoons. Protect your plants and edibles with these methods.

Physical Barriers

Fencing: A sturdy fence can be effective.
- Height: At least 3-4 feet high.
- Material: Use strong materials like welded wire mesh or hardware cloth.
- Depth: Bury the bottom edge of the fence at least 12 inches into the ground to prevent digging.
- Top Overhang: Consider an outward-facing overhang at the top of the fence (about 6 inches) to deter climbing.
Row Covers: For individual plants or rows, use fine-mesh netting or row covers to protect them. Secure the edges well to prevent raccoons from getting underneath.
Plant Selection: Some plants are less appealing to raccoons. Consider planting varieties they tend to avoid, though this is not a foolproof method.

Deterrents for Gardens

Repellents: Various raccoon repellent options exist.
- Scent-Based Repellents: Products containing castor oil, predator urine (fox or coyote), or ammonia can be effective. Apply them around the perimeter of your garden or directly to plants. Reapply after rain.
- Taste-Based Repellents: Products with bittering agents can discourage raccoons from tasting your plants.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers: A sudden burst of water can startle raccoons and encourage them to move on. Place these strategically around your garden.
Noise Deterrents: While less effective long-term, radios left on low at night or motion-activated noisemakers can sometimes startle them.

5. Utilizing Raccoon Deterrents

Beyond specific areas, you can use general raccoon deterrents around your property.

Scent Deterrents

Ammonia-Soaked Rags: Place rags soaked in ammonia in strategic locations, such as near potential entry points or in your garden. The strong smell is unpleasant to raccoons.
Predator Urine: Available at garden supply stores, fox or coyote urine can signal the presence of a predator, making raccoons feel unsafe.
Castor Oil: Mixed with water and dish soap, castor oil can be sprayed around garden beds. It’s thought to irritate their paws.

Visual and Auditory Deterrents

Lights: Motion-activated lights can startle raccoons and disrupt their nocturnal activities.
Shiny Objects: Strips of aluminum foil or reflective tape hung in areas they frequent may deter them due to the unfamiliar visual stimulus.
Noise: As mentioned, radios or ultrasonic devices can sometimes work, but raccoons often get used to these over time.

Advanced Raccoon Exclusion Techniques

For persistent problems, you might need to implement more robust raccoon exclusion methods.

6. Sealing Entry Points for Buildings

This is critical if raccoons are trying to access your home or outbuildings.

Prioritizing Building Integrity

Foundation Check: Ensure your foundation is sound and free of cracks.
Ventilation Security: Install sturdy hardware cloth over all vents (attic, crawl space, dryer vents). Make sure the mesh is small enough to prevent raccoon entry (1/2 inch or 1/4 inch).
Roofline Inspection: Check for loose shingles, damaged fascia, or gaps in the roofline that could allow access to the attic.
Chimney Caps: A secure chimney cap is essential.
Door and Window Seals: Ensure exterior doors and windows seal properly and are in good repair.

Materials for Exclusion

Hardware Cloth: This is your best friend. It’s strong, durable, and comes in various mesh sizes. It’s ideal for covering vents and sealing gaps.
Sheet Metal: Can be used to reinforce weak spots or cover larger openings.
Concrete/Mortar: For permanent sealing of foundation cracks.

7. Yard-Wide Strategies for Prevention

A holistic approach to deterring raccoons makes your entire property less attractive.

Landscape Management

Trim Trees and Shrubs: Raccoons can use overhanging branches to access roofs or decks. Trim back any branches that are within 6-8 feet of your house.
Remove Potential Dens: Clear out brush piles, old logs, or anything that could serve as a den site.
Elevate Structures: If possible, elevate structures like sheds or decks to make the spaces underneath less appealing and easier to secure.

Water Sources

Eliminate Standing Water: Raccoons, like many animals, are drawn to water sources. Empty bird baths overnight, fix leaky hoses, and ensure gutters are not holding water.

What to Do If Raccoons Are Already Denning

If you find raccoons have taken up residence, it’s important to act responsibly and humanely.

8. Humane Raccoon Removal and Exclusion

This focuses on getting them out safely and preventing their return.

Methods for Getting Raccoons Out

Timing is Everything: As mentioned, avoid removal during breeding season.
One-Way Doors: This is a highly effective and humane method for removing animals from enclosed spaces like attics or sheds. The animal can leave through the door but cannot get back in.
Relocation (Use with Caution): In some cases, humane traps can be used, but relocating wildlife is often discouraged or illegal in many areas and can be ineffective as another animal may move in. It’s best to check local regulations.

Preventing Re-entry

Immediate Exclusion: Once you confirm the den is empty (often by waiting a few days after installing a one-way door), immediately seal all entry points.
Thorough Sealing: Don’t leave any gaps or weaknesses that they could exploit again. Raccoons are persistent.

9. Choosing the Right Raccoon Repellent and Deterrents

Let’s summarize the options available for raccoon repellent.

Table of Raccoon Deterrents

Deterrent Type	How It Works	Best Use Cases	Considerations
Trash Can Locks	Physical barrier preventing access to trash.	Securing garbage cans, preventing access to food.	Requires investment in specialized bins or sturdy straps.
Hardware Cloth	Strong wire mesh to block entry points.	Covering vents, sealing gaps under decks, reinforcing fences.	Durable and effective. Needs proper installation to be effective.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers	Sudden burst of water startles animals.	Gardens, pathways, areas where raccoons frequent.	May require frequent water refills or connection to a hose. Can affect other desirable wildlife.
Ammonia	Strong, unpleasant smell disrupts their senses.	Soaked rags placed near entry points or in gardens.	Needs frequent reapplication, especially after rain. Smell can be strong for humans too.
Predator Urine	Mimics the scent of natural predators, causing fear.	Perimeter of yard, near gardens, potential den sites.	Effectiveness varies. Needs reapplication. Can be expensive.
Castor Oil Mixture	Irritates paws and acts as a mild repellent.	Garden beds, around plants.	Needs regular application. Effectiveness can be debated.
Lights	Sudden light startles nocturnal animals.	Yards, entry points, gardens.	Raccoons may become accustomed to consistent light.
Bird Feeder Baffles	Prevents climbing by creating a slippery surface.	Protecting bird feeders from climbing animals.	Only effective for pole-mounted feeders.
Fencing	Physical barrier to entry.	Gardens, entire yard perimeter.	Requires proper installation (height, depth, material) to be effective. Can be expensive.
One-Way Doors	Allows exit but prevents re-entry.	Removing raccoons from enclosed spaces like attics or garages.	Requires professional installation or careful observation to know when the den is empty.

10. Understanding Raccoon Behavior for Better Control

The key to successful raccoon control lies in understanding their habits.

Nocturnal Nature

Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active from dusk till dawn. This is when they forage for food and explore.
This knowledge helps you target your efforts. Securing trash cans at dusk and removing outdoor pet food before nightfall are crucial.

Intelligence and Adaptability

Raccoons are highly intelligent. They can learn to open latches, bypass simple deterrents, and remember successful food sources.
This means you need a multi-pronged approach and a willingness to adapt your strategies if they start to overcome your initial efforts. What works today might need an upgrade tomorrow.

Seasonal Variations

Raccoons are less active in colder months but will still seek shelter and food.
Spring is breeding season, and mothers will be actively seeking food for their young. This is when they are most likely to cause damage to your home to create dens.
Summer and fall are peak foraging times as they prepare for winter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Are raccoons dangerous to humans or pets?

Raccoons are generally not aggressive towards humans or pets unless they feel threatened or are cornered. However, they can carry diseases like rabies and distemper, which can be transmitted through bites. Always maintain a safe distance and avoid direct contact. If you have pets, supervise them when they are outdoors, especially at night.

Q2: What is the best raccoon repellent?

There isn’t a single “best” raccoon repellent, as effectiveness can vary depending on the situation and the individual raccoon. A combination of methods is usually most effective. For food sources, securing trash and removing outdoor food is paramount. For garden protection, physical barriers like fencing and row covers are highly effective. For scent deterrents, ammonia-soaked rags and predator urine can be useful but require reapplication.

Q3: Can I use mothballs to keep raccoons away?

While mothballs are sometimes suggested as a repellent, they are generally not recommended for deterring raccoons or other wildlife. Mothballs contain chemicals that can be harmful to children, pets, and the environment. Their fumes can be toxic, and if ingested, they can be poisonous. It’s best to stick to safer, more humane deterrents.

Q4: How do I know if raccoons are in my attic?

Signs of raccoons in an attic include:
* Noises: Scratching, thumping, chattering, or scurrying sounds, especially at night.
* Droppings: Raccoon feces can be found in the attic.
* Damage: Chewed wires, insulation pulled apart, or damage to vents.
* Odor: A musky, animal odor can indicate their presence.
* Visual Confirmation: Seeing them enter or exit your roofline.

Q5: Can I trap and relocate raccoons myself?

Trapping and relocating wildlife can be complex and may be illegal in your area without proper permits. Furthermore, relocated animals often struggle to survive in unfamiliar territory, and another raccoon may simply take their place. It’s generally best to consult with local animal control or a professional wildlife removal service for humane raccoon removal options.

Q6: How can I protect my garden from raccoons?

To protect your garden, focus on physical barriers like sturdy fences (buried and with an overhang), row covers, and netting. You can also use scent deterrents like ammonia or predator urine around the garden perimeter, and motion-activated sprinklers can be effective deterrents. Prompt harvesting of ripe produce also reduces attractants.

Q7: What are the best ways for trash can security?

The best methods for trash can security include investing in raccoon-proof bins with locking lids, securing standard bins with bungee cords or heavy-duty straps, and storing trash cans in a locked shed or garage until collection day. Keeping bins clean to reduce odors is also crucial.

Conclusion: A Peaceful Coexistence

Keeping raccoons out of your yard doesn’t have to be a battle. By implementing these easy and effective strategies for raccoon control, you can significantly reduce their presence and prevent raccoon damage. Focus on making your property unattractive by removing food and shelter opportunities and employing suitable raccoon deterrents. With consistent effort and a good understanding of their habits, you can enjoy your yard without unwelcome nocturnal visitors. Remember, humane and responsible practices are key to managing wildlife in our communities.