How to Get Rid of Raccoons: A Comprehensive Guide

2018-08-21

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How to Get Rid of Raccoons: A Comprehensive Guide

Raccoons can be a nuisance to homeowners, causing damage to property and spreading disease. If you're dealing with a raccoon problem, there are several steps you can take to get rid of them and prevent them from returning. This guide will provide you with detailed instructions and tips on how to effectively get rid of raccoons from your property.

Before taking any action, it's important to understand the behavior and habits of raccoons, as this knowledge will help you target your efforts and increase your chances of success. Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores that feed on a variety of food sources, including garbage, pet food, fruits, and vegetables. They are also known to raid bird feeders and garbage cans, and they can cause damage to gardens and landscaping.

Once you have a better understanding of raccoon behavior, you can begin implementing effective strategies to get rid of them. These strategies include securing potential food sources, sealing up entry points, using repellents, and trapping and relocating raccoons.

How to Get Rid of Raccoons

To effectively get rid of raccoons, follow these important steps:

Secure food sources
Seal up entry points
Use repellents
Trap and relocate
Remove attractants
Clean up pet food
Cover trash cans
Install motion-activated lights

By implementing these measures, you can discourage raccoons from visiting your property and keep them away for good.

Secure Food Sources

One of the most important steps in getting rid of raccoons is to secure all potential food sources. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything, but they are particularly attracted to food that is easy to access, such as garbage, pet food, and birdseed.

To make your property less appealing to raccoons, follow these tips:

Secure your garbage cans: Keep your garbage cans tightly sealed and store them in a secure location, such as a garage or shed. If you have a compost bin, make sure it is also securely covered.
Feed pets indoors: Feed your pets indoors or in a secure outdoor area where raccoons cannot access the food. Clean up any leftover pet food immediately.
Remove bird feeders: Raccoons love birdseed, so remove any bird feeders from your property. If you do have bird feeders, make sure they are hung high enough that raccoons cannot reach them.
Pick up fallen fruit: Raccoons also enjoy eating fallen fruit, so pick up any fruit that has fallen from your trees. You can also consider installing netting over your fruit trees to keep raccoons away.

By securing your food sources, you can make your property less attractive to raccoons and encourage them to find food elsewhere.

In addition to the tips above, you can also try using raccoon-proof containers for storing food and garbage. These containers are designed to be difficult for raccoons to open, making it harder for them to access food.

Seal Up Entry Points

Once you have secured your food sources, the next step is to seal up any potential entry points that raccoons can use to access your property. Raccoons are excellent climbers and can squeeze through very small openings, so it's important to be thorough in your inspection.

Here are some areas to focus on:

Roof: Inspect your roof for any holes or gaps, and seal them with roofing cement or caulk.
Chimney: Install a chimney cap to prevent raccoons from entering through the chimney.
Vents: Cover vents with screens or grates to prevent raccoons from chewing through them.
Doors and windows: Make sure all doors and windows are properly sealed and that there are no gaps around them. You can also install weatherstripping around doors and windows to further prevent raccoons from entering.
Foundation: Inspect the foundation of your home for any cracks or holes, and seal them with concrete or caulk.
Pipes and wires: Check for any openings around pipes and wires that enter your home, and seal them with caulk or foam sealant.

By sealing up all potential entry points, you can make it much more difficult for raccoons to access your property.

In addition to the areas listed above, you should also inspect your garage, shed, and any other outbuildings for potential entry points. Raccoons often use these structures as shelter, so it's important to make sure they are properly sealed.

Use Repellents

If you are still having problems with raccoons after securing your food sources and sealing up entry points, you can try using repellents to deter them from your property.

Commercial repellents: There are a variety of commercial raccoon repellents available, both in liquid and granular form. These repellents typically contain ingredients that raccoons find unpleasant, such as capsaicin (the active ingredient in辣椒) or peppermint oil. When applied to areas where raccoons are active, these repellents can help to deter them from returning.
Natural repellents: You can also try using natural repellents to deter raccoons. Some common natural repellents include ammonia, vinegar, and garlic. These substances can be applied to areas where raccoons are active, or they can be used to create a barrier around your property.
Motion-activated sprinklers: Motion-activated sprinklers can be an effective way to deter raccoons from your property. When a raccoon triggers the sensor, the sprinkler will spray water at it, startling it and causing it to leave the area.
Ultrasonic devices: Ultrasonic devices emit high-pitched sounds that are unpleasant to raccoons. These devices can be placed around your property to deter raccoons from approaching.

When using repellents, it is important to follow the directions on the product label carefully. Some repellents can be harmful to pets or children if they are not used properly. You should also reapply repellents regularly, especially after rain or heavy winds.

Trap and Relocate

If you have a raccoon problem that you cannot resolve on your own, you may need to trap and relocate the raccoons. This should be done by a professional wildlife removal company, as it can be dangerous to try to trap and relocate raccoons yourself. Wildlife removal companies have the experience and equipment necessary to safely and humanely trap and relocate raccoons.

Here is a general overview of the trapping and relocation process:

Set up the trap: The wildlife removal company will set up one or more traps in areas where raccoons are active. The traps will be baited with food that is attractive to raccoons, such as cat food or peanut butter.
Monitor the traps: The traps will be checked regularly by the wildlife removal company. Once a raccoon is caught, it will be humanely removed from the trap and placed in a secure container.
Relocate the raccoon: The raccoon will be relocated to a suitable habitat away from your property. The wildlife removal company will choose a location that is safe for the raccoon and where it will not be a nuisance to people or property.

It is important to note that trapping and relocating raccoons is not always a permanent solution. Raccoons are very resourceful animals and may find their way back to your property. However, trapping and relocating raccoons can be an effective way to reduce the raccoon population in your area and discourage them from returning to your property.

If you are considering trapping and relocating raccoons, it is important to contact a reputable wildlife removal company. Wildlife removal companies have the experience and equipment necessary to safely and humanely trap and relocate raccoons. They will also be able to provide advice on how to prevent raccoons from returning to your property in the future.

Remove Attractants

One of the best ways to get rid of raccoons is to remove anything that might attract them to your property in the first place. This includes food, water, and shelter.

Food: Raccoons are attracted to all kinds of food, but they are especially fond of pet food, garbage, and fallen fruit. To reduce the risk of attracting raccoons, keep pet food indoors, store garbage in secure containers, and pick up fallen fruit from your yard.
Water: Raccoons need access to water to survive. To discourage them from coming onto your property, remove any sources of standing water, such as birdbaths, clogged gutters, and leaky faucets.
Shelter: Raccoons often seek shelter in woodpiles, sheds, and garages. To make your property less appealing to raccoons, remove any potential shelter sites. This may involve trimming overgrown bushes, sealing up holes in your shed, and keeping your garage door closed.
Pet food: Pet food is a major attractant for raccoons. If you have pets, feed them indoors or in a secure outdoor area where raccoons cannot access the food. Clean up any leftover pet food immediately.

By removing attractants from your property, you can make it less appealing to raccoons and encourage them to find food and shelter elsewhere.

Clean Up Pet Food

Pet food is a major attractant for raccoons. If you have pets, it is important to clean up any leftover pet food immediately. This includes food that is left in bowls, on the ground, or in pet food bags.

Feed pets indoors: The best way to prevent raccoons from getting to pet food is to feed your pets indoors. If you cannot feed your pets indoors, feed them in a secure outdoor area where raccoons cannot access the food.
Clean up leftover food: After your pets have finished eating, clean up any leftover food immediately. This includes food that is left in bowls, on the ground, or in pet food bags. Store pet food in a secure container that raccoons cannot access.
Dispose of pet waste properly: Pet waste can also attract raccoons. Be sure to dispose of pet waste properly in a covered trash can or compost bin.
Keep pet food areas clean: Keep the areas where you feed your pets clean and free of food debris. This will help to discourage raccoons from coming onto your property.

By cleaning up pet food and pet waste, you can make your property less appealing to raccoons and encourage them to find food elsewhere.

Cover Trash Cans

Trash cans are a major attractant for raccoons, as they contain all sorts of delicious scraps. To prevent raccoons from getting into your trash cans, it is important to keep them covered at all times.

Use raccoon-proof trash cans: The best way to keep raccoons out of your trash cans is to use raccoon-proof trash cans. Raccoon-proof trash cans are made of durable materials that raccoons cannot chew through, and they have tight-fitting lids that raccoons cannot open.
Secure trash can lids: If you do not have raccoon-proof trash cans, you can still keep raccoons out by securing the lids of your trash cans. You can do this by using bungee cords, ratchet straps, or cinder blocks.
Store trash cans in a secure location: If possible, store your trash cans in a secure location, such as a garage or shed. This will make it more difficult for raccoons to access your trash.
Put trash cans out on collection day: Only put your trash cans out on the curb on the day of collection. This will reduce the amount of time that your trash cans are accessible to raccoons.

By covering your trash cans and storing them in a secure location, you can make it much more difficult for raccoons to access your trash.

In addition to the tips above, you can also try using odor-proof trash bags to reduce the smell of your trash. This will make your trash cans less appealing to raccoons.

Install Motion-Activated Lights

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, so they are most active at night. By installing motion-activated lights around your property, you can deter raccoons from coming near your home.

Choose the right lights: When choosing motion-activated lights, look for lights that are bright and have a wide range of motion. You should also choose lights that are weatherproof and durable.
Place the lights strategically: Place motion-activated lights in areas where raccoons are likely to travel, such as near garbage cans, sheds, and decks. You can also place lights along walkways and driveways.
Adjust the settings: Adjust the settings on your motion-activated lights so that they come on when raccoons are most active. You may also want to adjust the sensitivity of the lights so that they only come on when something large, like a raccoon, moves by.
Maintain the lights: Make sure to maintain your motion-activated lights by changing the bulbs regularly and keeping the sensors clean. You should also inspect the lights regularly for any damage.

By installing motion-activated lights around your property, you can make it more difficult for raccoons to move around at night. This will make your property less appealing to raccoons and encourage them to find food and shelter elsewhere.

In addition to the tips above, you can also try using solar-powered motion-activated lights. Solar-powered lights are a great option because they do not require any wiring and they are also more energy-efficient.

FAQ

If you have any questions about how to get rid of raccoons, check out these frequently asked questions:

Question 1: What is the best way to keep raccoons away from my property?
Answer 1: The best way to keep raccoons away from your property is to remove all potential food sources, such as pet food, garbage, and fallen fruit. You should also seal up any entry points that raccoons can use to access your property, such as holes in your roof or foundation.

Question 2: What should I do if I see a raccoon on my property?
Answer 2: If you see a raccoon on your property, try to scare it away by making loud noises or throwing objects at it. You can also try spraying the raccoon with a hose. If the raccoon does not leave your property, you should call a professional wildlife removal company.

Question 3: Can I trap and relocate raccoons myself?
Answer 3: It is not recommended to trap and relocate raccoons yourself. Raccoons can be dangerous animals and they can carry diseases. If you need to trap and relocate a raccoon, you should call a professional wildlife removal company.

Question 4: What are some natural ways to deter raccoons?
Answer 4: There are a number of natural ways to deter raccoons, such as using peppermint oil, garlic, or ammonia. You can also try using motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic devices.

Question 5: What should I do if I find a raccoon in my home?
Answer 5: If you find a raccoon in your home, you should try to trap it and release it outside. You can use a humane trap to catch the raccoon. Once you have caught the raccoon, you should release it in a wooded area away from your home.

Question 6: How can I prevent raccoons from getting into my trash cans?
Answer 6: You can prevent raccoons from getting into your trash cans by using raccoon-proof trash cans or by securing the lids of your trash cans with bungee cords or ratchet straps. You should also store your trash cans in a secure location, such as a garage or shed.

Question 7: What should I do if I think raccoons are living under my house?
Answer 7: If you think raccoons are living under your house, you should call a professional wildlife removal company. The wildlife removal company will be able to inspect your property and determine if there are raccoons living under your house. If there are raccoons living under your house, the wildlife removal company will be able to safely remove them.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about how to get rid of raccoons. If you have any other questions, you can consult a professional wildlife removal company.

In addition to the information provided in the FAQ section, here are a few additional tips for getting rid of raccoons:

Tips

Here are a few additional tips for getting rid of raccoons:

Tip 1: Keep your property clean and free of debris. Raccoons are attracted to cluttered areas, so it is important to keep your property clean and free of debris. This includes removing fallen fruit, pet food, and garbage.

Tip 2: Trim trees and shrubs around your property. Raccoons can climb trees and shrubs to access your roof or other areas of your property. By trimming trees and shrubs, you can make it more difficult for raccoons to access your property.

Tip 3: Use a raccoon repellent. There are a number of commercial raccoon repellents available that can be used to deter raccoons from your property. Be sure to follow the directions on the product label carefully.

Tip 4: Get a dog. Dogs can be an effective deterrent for raccoons. Raccoons are afraid of dogs, so having a dog on your property can help to keep raccoons away.

By following these tips, you can make your property less appealing to raccoons and encourage them to find food and shelter elsewhere.

If you are having trouble getting rid of raccoons on your own, you may need to call a professional wildlife removal company. Wildlife removal companies have the experience and equipment necessary to safely and humanely remove raccoons from your property.

Conclusion

Raccoons can be a nuisance to homeowners, causing damage to property and spreading disease. However, there are a number of things you can do to get rid of raccoons and prevent them from returning.

Some of the most important things you can do include:

Secure all potential food sources, such as pet food, garbage, and fallen fruit.
Seal up any entry points that raccoons can use to access your property.
Use raccoon repellents to deter them from coming near your home.
Trap and relocate raccoons if necessary.