Your Guide On How Get Rid Of Raccoons From Your Yard Safely

How can you get rid of raccoons from your yard safely? You can remove raccoons from your yard safely by first figuring out what brings them there. Then, use kind ways to make them leave, like taking away their food and using things they don’t like. If the problem is big or you feel unsafe, you can call experts called wildlife removal services. Trying to get rid of them yourself needs care and knowing the rules in your area for treating animals well.

How Get Rid Of Raccoons From Your Yard
Image Source: www.bhg.com

Why Raccoons Visit Yards

Raccoons are smart animals. They look for three main things in your yard: food, water, and a place to live. Your yard might have all they need.

Signs Raccoons Are Around

How can you tell if raccoons are visiting? Look for these clues:

Trash cans are tipped over. They are looking for food scraps.
Lids are pulled off. They know how to open cans.
Pet food is missing. If you feed pets outside, raccoons will find it.
Gardens are messed up. They eat fruits, vegetables, and corn.
Tracks are left behind. Their paw prints look like tiny hands.
Droppings are found. They often leave waste in one spot, called a “raccoon latrine.” This can be unsafe.
Damage to homes or decks. They might tear at screens or wood to get inside or under things like a deck. Raccoons under deck is a common problem spot.

The Need for Safe Raccoon Removal

Getting rid of raccoons needs care. It’s important to do it safely.

Why Safety Comes First

Your health: Raccoons can carry sicknesses. Rabies is one you know. There’s also a parasite in their waste. It’s important not to touch their droppings.
Their health: You want to move them without hurting them. Humane raccoon removal means being kind.
Your property: Doing things the wrong way can cause more damage.
The law: Rules exist about catching and moving wild animals. You must follow these rules.

Safe methods protect everyone. They help you raccoon removal in a good way.

Simple Steps to Make Your Yard Less Welcome

The best way to deal with raccoons is to stop them from coming. Prevent raccoons by making your yard boring to them.

Making Food Hard to Find

Raccoons love easy meals. Your trash is a buffet for them.

Securing Trash Cans

This is very important. Secure trash cans so raccoons cannot get in.

Use strong cans. Metal or thick plastic is best.
Get tight lids. Lids that lock are great.
Add extra locks. You can use bungee cords or weights on the lid.
Store cans smartly. Keep them in a garage or shed until trash day.
Clean cans often. Wash them with soapy water. This removes food smells.
Put trash out in the morning. Do not put it out the night before.

Managing Pet Food

Never leave pet food outside at night. This is an open invite for raccoons.

Feed pets inside if you can.
If outside, take bowls in when your pet finishes eating.
Clean the area where pets eat.

Protecting Gardens

Raccoons eat plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Harvest your produce as soon as it is ready.
Clean up fallen fruit from trees.
A fence can help, but raccoons can climb. Electric fences lower to the ground can work.

Taking Away Water

Raccoons need water to drink.

Empty bird baths at night.
Cover pools when not in use.
Fix leaky hoses or pipes. Standing water attracts them.

Blocking Spots for Living

Raccoons need safe places to rest and raise babies. They look for shelter.

Checking Under Decks and Sheds

Raccoons under deck is a common place for them to den. They also like under sheds, porches, or in woodpiles.

Look for holes or gaps around the base of these structures.
Check under patios and steps.
Seal off these entry points. Use strong wire mesh or boards. Dig down a little and bury the mesh to stop them from digging under it.

Fixing Your Home

Raccoons can get into attics or chimneys.

Check your roof for loose shingles.
Make sure chimney caps are in place.
Repair any holes in your home’s walls or foundation.
Trim tree branches near your roof. This stops raccoons from climbing onto your home easily.

By taking away food, water, and shelter, you prevent raccoons from wanting to stay. This is the first step in how to keep raccoons away.

Using Things Raccoons Don’t Like

Sometimes raccoons still come even if you take away food. You can try using things they dislike. These are called raccoon deterrents. They make the area feel unsafe or unpleasant.

Using Lights and Sounds

Raccoons feel safer in the dark.

Install motion-sensor lights. When a raccoon moves, the light turns on. This can scare them. Put them near trash cans, gardens, or under decks.
Some people try motion-sensor sprinklers. A sudden spray of water can startle them.
Loud noises can also scare them, but this is often less effective and might bother neighbors.

Using Smells

Raccoons have a good sense of smell. Some smells might make them leave. These are raccoon repellent ideas.

Ammonia: Raccoons might think ammonia is the smell of a predator’s urine. You can soak rags in ammonia and place them near areas they visit. Put them in open containers so the smell gets out. Be careful with ammonia; it is strong.
Predator urine: Smells from animals that hunt raccoons (like coyotes) can make them feel unsafe. You can buy these smells.
Hot pepper: Some people use sprays with hot pepper. Raccoons don’t like the smell or taste. Be careful not to spray this on plants you plan to eat.
Garlic and onion: The strong smell of these can also bother raccoons.

Do these smells work for sure? Not always. Raccoons are smart and can get used to smells. You might need to try different things. You might also need to move the smells around often.

Humane Raccoon Removal Methods

What if raccoons are already living in your yard or under your deck? You need humane raccoon removal. This means moving them without causing harm.

Exclusion: Gently Making Them Leave

Exclusion means blocking off entry points but leaving one way out. Once they leave, they cannot get back in.

Find the entry points: Watch where raccoons go in and out. Look for holes or gaps.
Seal most holes: Close all but one main way in or out. Use strong mesh wire or boards.
Use a one-way door: On the last opening, put up a special door. It swings open for the raccoon to leave. But it closes behind them so they can’t come back in.
Check often: Watch for a few nights to make sure they have left. Raccoons usually go out at night to find food.
Seal the last hole: Once you are sure they are gone, seal the final opening completely.

This works well for raccoons under deck or sheds or in attics. Make sure no babies are left behind before sealing up the final hole! Babies cannot leave on their own. This is why exclusion works best when raccoons do not have babies, or after babies are old enough to travel with their mother.

Trapping Raccoons

Sometimes, trapping is needed. This should be done carefully and humanely. Using a raccoon trap needs planning.

Types of Traps

Live traps: These catch the animal without hurting it. They are metal cages with a door that closes when the raccoon steps on a plate inside. This is the most humane type for capturing raccoons.
Lethal traps: These traps kill the animal. They are not humane and are illegal in many places for catching raccoons. Do not use these.

Using a Live Trap Safely

Know the rules: Check local laws about trapping and moving raccoons. Rules vary a lot by city and state. It might be illegal to trap or move raccoons yourself.
Choose the right trap: Use a sturdy live trap big enough for a raccoon.
Place the trap well: Put it near the raccoon’s path or where you see them most often.
Use bait: Good bait includes pet food, marshmallows, or fruit. Place it inside the trap.
Check the trap often: You must check the trap very often. A trapped animal gets scared and stressed. Check it early in the morning.
Protect the trapped animal: Cover the trap with a blanket or tarp. This makes the raccoon feel safer and calmer. Do not stick fingers into the trap.
Move the raccoon: This is the tricky part. Many places do NOT let you move raccoons. If it is allowed, you must move it a certain distance away. Moving them too far can hurt their chances of living. They might not find food or shelter. They might try to get back and get hit by a car. Also, you could be spreading sickness to other areas. This is why many experts say NOT to trap and move raccoons yourself unless required by a specific problem (like a raccoon stuck inside somewhere).

What if There Are Babies?

If you trap a mother raccoon, check for babies nearby. Look in the den she came from. Babies cannot live without their mother. You should try to get the mother to move the babies herself using exclusion methods first. If you use a trap, try to catch the mother and her babies at the same time or leave the babies in a safe place near where you release the mother so she can find them. This is complicated and often best left to experts.

When to Call the Experts

Sometimes, you need help from professionals. Wildlife removal services know how to handle raccoons safely and legally.

When Professional Help is Best

Raccoons are inside your home: If they are in your attic, chimney, or walls, removal is harder and riskier.
You think the animal is sick: Sick raccoons might act strangely. Do not go near them. Call an expert or local animal control.
There are babies involved: Removing a mother means you must find and care for or move the babies too. Experts know how to do this properly.
The problem is too big: If many raccoons are visiting, or they are causing lots of damage.
You cannot figure out how they get in: Experts can find hidden entry points.
Local laws are tricky: Wildlife experts know all the rules for raccoon removal in your area.

Wildlife removal services use safe methods. They follow the law. They often use exclusion or humane trapping. They can also help fix the damage raccoons caused and seal up entry points to keep raccoons away in the future.

Comparing Raccoon Control Methods

Here is a look at different ways to handle raccoons.

Method	How it Works	Pros	Cons	Best For
Securing Food Sources	Hiding or removing food (trash, pet food)	Simple, cheap, root cause fix, prevents future visits	Needs daily effort	Everyone, primary prevention step to prevent raccoons
Sealing Shelter Spots	Blocking access to dens (under deck, sheds)	Long-term solution, keep raccoons away permanently	Can be hard work, must check for animals inside first	Preventing raccoons under deck or in structures
Raccoon Deterrents	Using lights, sounds, smells (raccoon repellent)	Easy to set up, non-harmful	Raccoons can get used to them, not always effective	Scaring away visiting raccoons, adding extra protection
Exclusion (One-way Door)	Letting animals leave but not re-enter den	Humane, effective for dens, deals with root cause	Only works if animals are using a specific entry, needs care	Removing raccoons under deck or from buildings, humane raccoon removal
Live Trapping (raccoon trap)	Catching animal in a cage	Can remove a specific animal	Risky, stressful for animal, requires checking laws and moving/releasing safely	Last resort for specific problem animals, raccoon removal when allowed
Wildlife Removal Service	Calling professionals	Safe, legal, expert knowledge, handles tough cases	Costs money	Raccoons in home, sick animals, complex issues, when unsure, wildlife removal services

This table helps you see which method fits your problem and goals.

Keeping Raccoons Away For Good

After you get rid of raccoons, you want to make sure they don’t come back. This means keeping up with prevention steps. Keep raccoons away by making your yard unattractive in the long term.

Daily Habits

Always secure trash cans. This is the most important step.
Never leave food out at night.
Clean up fallen fruit and pet waste.
Bring bird feeders in at night or use squirrel-proof ones that are harder for raccoons to access.

Regular Checks

Walk around your yard often. Look for new holes under decks or sheds.
Check your roof and chimney for problems.
Look for raccoon tracks or droppings. Deal with them right away.

Yard Upkeep

Trim bushes and trees. Raccoons can hide in thick plants.
Don’t leave piles of wood or junk. These are good hiding spots.
Consider motion-sensor lights as a permanent feature near problem areas.

Think of it as making your yard less like a free restaurant or hotel for raccoons. Consistent effort is key to prevent raccoons from returning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are common questions people ask about raccoons in their yards.

h4 Can I trap a raccoon and move it myself?

Maybe not. Many places have rules about this. It might be against the law to trap raccoons without a license. It might also be against the law to move them. Moving raccoons can spread diseases and harm the animal. Always check your local rules first. Calling wildlife removal services is often the safest and most legal choice for raccoon removal.

h4 Are raccoons dangerous?

They can be. They usually avoid people. But they might bite or scratch if they feel trapped or scared. They can also carry rabies and other sicknesses. It’s best to keep a safe distance. Never try to pet or feed a wild raccoon.

h4 Do mothballs keep raccoons away?

Many people try mothballs as a raccoon repellent. But they usually don’t work well. Raccoons often ignore the smell. Also, mothballs can be harmful to pets, children, and the environment. There are better ways to deter raccoons.

h4 Will a dog scare raccoons away?

A dog’s smell and bark can sometimes act as a raccoon deterrent. But raccoons are strong. They might fight back if cornered. This can be very dangerous for your dog. It’s better not to rely on your dog to handle raccoons. Supervise your dog closely when outside, especially at night.

h4 What should I do if I see a raccoon during the day?

Seeing a raccoon in the daytime doesn’t always mean it’s sick. They sometimes come out to find food or move dens. But a raccoon out during the day acting strange (stumbling, drooling, unafraid of people) could be sick. Stay away and call animal control or wildlife removal services.

h4 Can raccoons cause damage to my house?

Yes. They can tear shingles, damage vents, and chew wires if they get into attics or walls. Raccoons under deck can dig and damage the structure. They can also cause damage around trash cans and gardens.

h4 How do I clean up raccoon droppings safely?

Raccoon droppings can have harmful parasites. Do not touch them with bare hands. Wear gloves and a mask. Use a shovel to put the droppings in a bag. Seal the bag. Clean the area with hot water and strong soap or a bleach solution. Check local rules for how to get rid of the waste.

These questions and answers help cover common worries and steps for dealing with raccoons safely.

Conclusion

Getting rid of raccoons from your yard safely is possible. It takes patience and using the right steps. Start by making your yard less appealing. Secure trash cans, remove food and water, and block off den spots like raccoons under deck. Use raccoon deterrents if needed. For humane raccoon removal, exclusion is often best. Trapping is a last step and must follow local laws and be done with care. When in doubt, calling wildlife removal services is the safest and most effective way for raccoon removal and to keep raccoons away. By taking these steps, you can enjoy your yard without unwelcome raccoon visitors, keeping everyone safe.