Effective Tips: How To Remove Raccoons From Your Yard

Dealing with raccoons in your yard can be tricky. They are clever and can cause a lot of mess or even damage. You might wonder if you can handle it yourself or if you need help. This guide gives you practical ways to get rid of raccoons from your yard, focusing on steps you can take and when it’s best to call in experts like raccoon removal services or wild animal control. We will look at ways to get rid of raccoons naturally, use raccoon deterrents, and how to prevent raccoons in yard areas, including how to keep raccoons out of garden.

Image Source: www.bhg.com

Seeing Why Raccoons Come Around

Raccoons are often looking for simple things: food, water, and shelter. Your yard might have exactly what they need without you even knowing it.

What Attracts Raccoons

Think of your yard from a raccoon’s point of view. Is it an easy place to grab a meal?

• Easy Food Sources: This is the biggest draw.
  • Open trash cans are like a free buffet.
  • Pet food left outside is a favorite snack.
  • Bird feeders drop seeds that raccoons eat.
  • Fruit trees or berry bushes offer tasty treats.
  • Gardens with corn, melons, or other yummy plants are appealing.
  • Outdoor grills with leftover food smells.
• Water: They need to drink.
  • Pet water bowls.
  • Bird baths.
  • Ponds or water features.
  • Even puddles after rain can attract them.
• Shelter: They need a place to hide or build a den.
  • Porches or decks offer sheltered spots underneath.
  • Sheds or outbuildings might have openings.
  • Woodpiles or thick bushes can be hiding places.
  • Holes in fences or foundations leading under structures.

Knowing what brings them in helps you take steps to make your yard less welcoming.

Spotting Raccoon Problems

How do you know if raccoons are visiting? They leave clues. Sometimes it’s just signs they were there; other times, it’s actual raccoon damage.

Common Signs of Raccoons

• Tipped-over trash cans: This is a classic sign. They knock them over to get to the food inside.
• Scattered trash: They pull out trash and scatter it looking for food bits.
• Footprints: Raccoon tracks look a bit like small human hands. You might see them in mud or soft soil.
• Droppings: Raccoon poop can be found near food sources or den sites. It can be risky to handle, as it might contain parasites.
• Damaged garden areas: Plants might be dug up, or fruits/vegetables might be nibbled on or pulled off.
• Disturbed bird feeders: Feeders knocked down or emptied overnight.
• Missing pet food: Food left outside disappears quickly at night.
• Noises at night: Scratching, rustling, or thumping sounds might come from decks, attics, or sheds.

Seeing Raccoon Damage

Raccoons can do more than just make a mess. They can cause raccoon damage to your home or yard structures.

• Damage to trash cans: Chewing, clawing, or breaking lids.
• Torn screens or vents: Trying to get into attics or crawl spaces.
• Damaged roofing or soffits: Chewing or pulling material to find entry points.
• Dug-up lawns or gardens: Looking for grubs or roots.
• Damage to decks or porches: Tearing at skirting to get underneath.

Seeing these signs or raccoon damage means it’s time to act.

Gentle Ways to Start: Making Your Yard Less Nice for Raccoons

Before thinking about trapping or calling for raccoon removal services, the best first step is to make your yard less attractive. This is often the core of get rid of raccoons naturally and effective prevent raccoons in yard strategies.

Take Away Food

This is the most important step to prevent raccoons in yard. If there’s no easy food, they have less reason to visit.

• Secure Trash Cans:
  • Use cans with tight-fitting, locking lids.
  • You can use bungee cords or weights to keep lids on.
  • Keep trash cans in a secure place like a garage or shed until pick-up day.
  • Clean trash cans regularly to reduce appealing smells.
• Bring Pet Food Inside: Feed pets indoors. If you feed them outside, pick up any leftover food and water bowls immediately after they finish eating, especially before dark.
• Clean Up Outdoor Grills: Clean your grill after each use. Burn off grease and food scraps, then brush the grates. Empty and clean the grease trap.
• Manage Bird Feeders:
  • Use squirrel-proof feeders, which can also deter raccoons.
  • Place feeders away from trees or structures raccoons can climb.
  • Clean up fallen seeds below feeders regularly.
  • Consider taking feeders down at night if raccoon activity is high.
• Pick Up Fallen Fruit: If you have fruit trees, regularly pick up any fruit that has fallen to the ground.

Make Shelter Hard to Find

Raccoons look for safe places to rest or raise their young. Blocking access is a key way to prevent raccoons in yard.

• Seal Openings:
  • Check around your home, shed, and other buildings for holes or gaps.
  • Look under decks, porches, and stairs.
  • Seal any entry points larger than a few inches. Use sturdy materials like mesh wire (hardware cloth) or metal flashing. Raccoons are strong; weak materials won’t stop them.
  • Check attic vents, chimneys, and crawl space openings. Use screens or caps.
• Secure Sheds and Outbuildings: Keep doors closed and windows secured. Repair any holes in walls or roofs.
• Trim Trees and Bushes: Trim branches that hang over your roof. This can make it harder for raccoons to access your attic or chimney.
• Store Wood Away From the House: Keep woodpiles neatly stacked and away from your home, as they can provide shelter.

Addressing Your Garden

Keeping raccoons out of your garden requires specific steps. This is a common place for them to find food. Learning how to keep raccoons out of garden areas is vital.

• Fencing:
  • A sturdy fence is one of the best methods.
  • The fence should be at least 3-4 feet tall.
  • Bend the bottom 6-12 inches of the fence outwards and bury it slightly. This stops raccoons from digging under it.
  • An electric fence can be very effective. A low-voltage wire placed about 6 inches and 12 inches above the ground can give them a memorable, harmless shock that teaches them to stay away.
• Harvest Promptly: Pick ripe fruits and vegetables as soon as they are ready. Don’t leave them on the plant or on the ground.
• Clean Up Garden Debris: Remove fallen leaves, dead plants, and leftover crops after harvest.
• Try Companion Planting: Some plants are said to repel raccoons, like squash with itchy leaves or cucumbers. While not a guarantee, it might help make the garden less comfortable.

These preventative steps are part of a good get rid of raccoons naturally approach and reduce the need for more direct action. Consistency is key.

Using Things That Make Raccoons Uncomfortable

Beyond removing attractions, you can use raccoon deterrents and raccoon repellent products to make your yard an unpleasant place for them to be. These methods often work by bothering their senses.

Smell Deterrents

Raccoons have a strong sense of smell. Certain smells can make them avoid an area.

• Ammonia: The smell of ammonia is sometimes said to mimic the smell of a predator’s urine. Place rags soaked in ammonia in open containers near areas you want to protect (like trash cans or garden edges). Be careful with pets and children. Ammonia evaporates quickly, so you’ll need to refresh it often.
• Predator Urine: Products containing the urine of animals that prey on raccoons (like coyotes) are available. Place these around the perimeter of your yard or garden. Rain can wash them away, so reapply after wet weather.
• Spicy Scents: Some people use hot pepper products. A spray made from cayenne pepper mixed with water and a little dish soap can be applied to plants or trash cans. Be careful not to use too much or damage plants.
• Mothballs: While often suggested, mothballs are generally not recommended. Their effectiveness is questionable, and the chemicals they release are harmful to people and pets and bad for the environment. Avoid using these.

Taste Deterrents

Making food items taste bad can deter raccoons.

• Bitter Sprays: Some commercial sprays contain bitter agents that make plants or surfaces taste unpleasant.
• Hot Pepper Sprays: As mentioned above, spicy tastes can deter them from eating things like garden vegetables or pet food.

Sound Deterrents

Sudden or unpleasant sounds can scare raccoons away.

• Motion-Activated Alarms: Devices that emit a loud noise or an animal sound when they detect movement can startle raccoons. They might get used to the sound over time, so effectiveness can decrease.
• Radios: Leaving a radio playing talk radio softly in an area overnight is sometimes suggested, as human voices can make raccoons think people are nearby.

Light Deterrents

Raccoons are nocturnal (most active at night). Bright, sudden lights can scare them off.

• Motion-Activated Lights: Installing motion-sensing lights in your yard can startle raccoons when they enter. Place them in areas where you’ve seen activity or where you want to prevent access.

Physical Deterrents

These make an area uncomfortable to walk on or access.

• Prickly Mats or Netting: Placing netting or mats with dull plastic points around garden beds or under structures can deter raccoons from walking there.
• Water Sprinklers: Motion-activated sprinklers are very effective. A sudden spray of water is startling and harmless. Place them near gardens, trash cans, or entry points.

When using raccoon deterrents or raccoon repellent, remember that raccoons are smart. They can sometimes get used to deterrents over time. Using a combination of different methods and changing them up can increase your chances of success.

Considering Humane Trapping

Sometimes, prevention and deterrence aren’t enough, especially if a raccoon has already made a den or is very persistent. In these cases, humane raccoon trapping might be considered. However, this is a complex step and comes with rules.

Important Considerations Before Trapping

• Check Local Laws: Very important: Laws about trapping and relocating wildlife vary greatly by city, county, and state. In many places, it is illegal for homeowners to trap and relocate wildlife themselves. You must know the rules in your area.
• Is It Humane? Live trapping can be stressful for the animal. Relocating a raccoon might move a problem to someone else’s property or separate a mother from her young, which is not humane. Relocated animals often struggle to find food, water, or shelter in a new area and may not survive.
• Are There Babies? Raccoons often have babies in the spring (March to May). Trapping a mother raccoon means her babies will be left behind and will not survive. Never trap during baby season unless you are certain there are no young, or you are working with a professional who can handle the entire family unit.
• Handling and Release: If trapping is legal for you, you need a plan for handling the trap and releasing the animal. Raccoons can carry diseases like rabies and roundworm. They are also strong and can bite or scratch if scared. You must wear thick gloves and take precautions. Relocating an animal often needs to be done within a certain distance and in an approved area, according to local laws.

How Humane Trapping Works (Generally)

If you decide to attempt humane raccoon trapping yourself (after checking laws), here’s a basic idea, but again, professionals are often better equipped.

1. Get the Right Trap: You need a large, sturdy live trap (cage trap) designed for raccoons. Small traps won’t work and can injure the animal.
2. Place the Trap: Put the trap on a flat surface where you’ve seen raccoon activity.
3. Bait the Trap: Use tempting bait like marshmallows, canned cat food, or fruit. Place it at the back of the trap behind the trigger plate.
4. Set the Trap: Carefully set the trap door mechanism according to the instructions.
5. Check Frequently: Check the trap often, at least early in the morning. Leaving an animal trapped for a long time in heat or cold, or without water, is not humane.
6. Cover the Trap: Once a raccoon is caught, cover the trap with a blanket or tarp to help keep the animal calm. Do not stick your fingers in the trap.
7. Move or Release: Follow local laws regarding release or what to do after trapping. Often, contacting animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator is the required next step.

Because of the legal issues, safety risks, and humane concerns, humane raccoon trapping is often best left to professionals trained in wild animal control or raccoon pest control.

Knowing When to Call for Help

While preventative steps and simple deterrents can work wonders, some situations really need the help of experts. These are times you should consider calling raccoon removal services or a licensed wild animal control company.

Situations Requiring Professional Help

• Raccoons Inside Your Home: If raccoons have gotten into your attic, chimney, walls, or crawl spaces, this is a serious problem. Removing them requires expertise to ensure they are all out (including potential babies) and to seal the entry points properly. Professionals have the right tools and knowledge for safe and complete removal from structures.
• Aggressive or Sick Raccoons: If a raccoon seems overly aggressive, is active during the day, is stumbling, or looks sick, do not approach it. These can be signs of rabies or distemper. Call animal control or a wild animal control professional immediately.
• Mother Raccoon with Babies in a Bad Spot: If a mother raccoon has nested in a place where she or the babies are in danger, or are causing significant problems (like in your attic), a professional can often remove the family unit together and relocate them safely or suggest humane ways to encourage the mother to move them herself.
• Damage is Extensive: If raccoons have caused significant raccoon damage to your property (e.g., tearing up large sections of your roof or deck), professionals can assess the situation and handle the removal before you start repairs.
• Repeated Failure of DIY Methods: If you’ve tried all the prevention and deterrence methods consistently for several weeks and raccoons are still a major problem, it might be time for expert intervention.
• Legal Restrictions on Trapping/Relocation: As mentioned, if your local laws prevent you from trapping or relocating raccoons, your only legal option for removal might be hiring licensed raccoon removal services.

Choosing a Raccoon Removal Service

If you need to hire help, look for a reputable company offering raccoon removal services or raccoon pest control.

• Look for Licensing: Ensure the company is licensed to handle wildlife in your area.
• Ask About Methods: Inquire about their approach. Do they prioritize humane raccoon trapping? How do they handle mothers with young? Where do they relocate animals (if allowed)? Avoid companies that use inhumane methods.
• Check Reviews: Look for customer reviews or testimonials.
• Get an Estimate: Ask for a clear explanation of costs, including inspection, removal, and potential repair work for raccoon damage.
• Ask About Prevention: A good company won’t just remove the animal; they’ll advise you on how to prevent raccoons in yard from coming back.

Hiring professionals is often the safest and most effective way to deal with challenging raccoon problems, especially when they are inside your home or if laws are strict.

Fixing the Damage Raccoons Cause

Once the raccoons are gone, you might need to fix the areas they damaged. This is where you address the raccoon damage.

Steps for Repair

• Assess the Damage: Carefully look at where the raccoons were active. Check roofs, vents, screens, decks, sheds, and garden areas.
• Clean Contaminated Areas: Raccoon droppings and urine can contain parasites. Wear gloves and a mask. Use disinfectant to clean affected areas thoroughly. Follow specific guidelines for cleaning up raccoon waste safely (often involves wetting down droppings with disinfectant before sweeping to prevent inhaling particles).
• Repair Entry Points: Fix any holes in structures like roofs, walls, or under decks. Use strong materials like heavy-gauge wire mesh or metal flashing. Seal edges tightly.
• Repair Yard/Garden Damage: Replant damaged garden beds or repair torn-up sections of lawn.

Fixing the raccoon damage is important not just to restore your property but also to prevent other animals from using the same entry points or being attracted to the mess left behind.

Keeping Raccoons Away for Good

Getting rid of raccoons is one part; making sure they don’t come back is the other. Long-term prevention is key to avoid needing raccoon removal services again.

Ongoing Prevention Strategies

• Keep Up with Sanitation: Continue securing trash cans, cleaning up food spills, and managing pet food. This is the absolute best defense.
• Regularly Inspect Your Property: Walk around your house and yard often. Look for potential entry points or signs of animal activity. Early detection is easier to handle.
• Maintain Your Yard: Keep grass mowed and bushes trimmed. Remove piles of debris or wood that could serve as shelter.
• Reinforce Deterrents: If you use motion lights or sprinklers, make sure they are working correctly. Rotate types of raccoon deterrents if you think they are getting used to them.
• Educate Neighbors: Talk to your neighbors about preventing raccoon attractants. If attractants are available next door, it can still draw raccoons into your area. Community effort helps.
• Address Water Sources: Ensure pet water bowls are inside at night. Consider covering ponds or removing other water sources raccoons might use.
• Be Mindful of Seasonal Changes: Raccoons look for den sites before winter and during spring (for raising young). Be extra vigilant about sealing potential entry points during these times.

Consistency in these steps is crucial. Treating prevent raccoons in yard as an ongoing task rather than a one-time fix will give you the best results.

Different Ways to Push Raccoons Away (Table)

Here is a look at different types of raccoon deterrents and how they work:

Deterrent Type	How It Works	Examples	Pros	Cons
Smell	Unpleasant odors make area undesirable.	Ammonia, predator urine, hot pepper sprays	Can be applied to specific items/areas.	Needs frequent reapplication; effectiveness varies.
Taste	Makes potential food sources taste bad.	Bitter sprays, hot pepper solutions	Direct action on items raccoons eat.	Needs reapplication; might affect plants.
Sound	Startling noises scare them off.	Motion-activated alarms, radios	Sudden noise can be effective initially.	Animals may get used to the sound; can be annoying.
Light	Bright, sudden lights scare nocturnal animals.	Motion-activated floodlights	Simple to install; can deter other animals.	May bother neighbors; animals can adjust.
Physical/Behavior	Makes area uncomfortable or inaccessible.	Electric fences, netting, motion sprinklers	Often very effective at blocking access/use.	Can require installation; sprinklers use water.
Habit Change	Removes core reasons for visiting.	Securing trash, bringing in pet food, cleaning.	Addresses the root cause; long-term solution.	Requires consistent effort.

Using a mix of these methods provides the strongest defense against raccoons. Combining strong physical barriers (like properly secured trash cans and fences) with sensory deterrents (like lights or sprinklers) often yields the best results for prevent raccoons in yard.

Getting Rid of Raccoons Naturally (More Detail)

Many homeowners prefer approaches that don’t involve chemicals or trapping. Get rid of raccoons naturally focuses on making your yard unfriendly through simple, ongoing actions.

Key Natural Methods

• Sanitation First: This is the most natural and effective method. No food = no raccoons. As mentioned before, securing trash, cleaning grills, and managing pet food are crucial.
• Habitat Modification: Change your yard so it doesn’t offer easy shelter. Trim back bushes, seal entry points under structures, remove brush piles.
• Garden Protection: Use fences (physical barrier), harvest quickly, and keep the garden clean.
• Natural Deterrents (Use with Care): While some scents like hot pepper or ammonia are used, their “naturalness” can be debated, and they require caution around pets and children. Predator urine is a more direct “natural” deterrent based on animal behavior.
• Motion-Activated Sprinklers: Using water to scare them is a harmless and natural reaction for the animal. It’s a very popular natural method.
• Bright Lights: While using electricity, the effect on the animal is a natural startle response to sudden light.
• Companion Planting: While not foolproof, trying plants that raccoons dislike the smell or feel of (like squash, cucumbers, or certain herbs) is a natural garden defense method.

The natural approach is primarily about making your property unsuitable for raccoons to live or find food easily. It requires ongoing effort but avoids the complications of trapping or harmful chemicals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Raccoon Removal

Dealing with raccoons brings up common questions. Here are answers to some you might have.

H5: Can I just kill the raccoons?

No. In most places, it is illegal and inhumane to kill raccoons unless specifically permitted by wildlife authorities under strict conditions (like for control of an invasive species, which raccoons are not). Humane raccoon trapping and legal relocation or calling licensed raccoon removal services are the proper ways to handle them.

H5: Are raccoons dangerous?

Raccoons are wild animals and can be dangerous if cornered or protecting their young. They can bite and scratch. They can also carry diseases like rabies and parasites like raccoon roundworm, which can be harmful to humans and pets. Always keep a safe distance.

H5: What do I do if I see a raccoon during the day?

Seeing a raccoon during the day doesn’t automatically mean it’s sick. They are mostly nocturnal but sometimes come out during the day if a food source is easily available, if they are moving dens, or if a mother is looking for food for her young. However, if the raccoon looks sick (stumbling, confused, aggressive, paralyzed), keep far away and call your local animal control or a wild animal control professional immediately. Do NOT approach it.

H5: How do I know if a raccoon has rabies?

You cannot tell if an animal has rabies just by looking at it. Rabies symptoms can include unusual behavior, aggression, staggering, paralysis, or foaming at the mouth. Assume any wild animal acting strangely might be rabid and avoid contact. Contact professionals.

H5: How do I clean up raccoon poop safely?

Raccoon poop can contain roundworm eggs, which are dangerous if inhaled or ingested. Always wear disposable gloves and a mask (like an N95). Do NOT dry sweep or vacuum the droppings. Lightly spray the droppings with water and a disinfectant (like a bleach solution – 1 part bleach to 9 parts water). Carefully scoop up the wet droppings and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Dispose of the bag in the trash. Disinfect the area again. For large amounts or areas like attics, it’s safer to hire a professional cleanup service.

H5: Will repellent sprays keep raccoons away permanently?

Raccoon repellent sprays and other deterrents are usually temporary solutions. Their effectiveness depends on the product, how consistently it’s applied, and how determined the raccoon is. They are best used as part of a larger strategy that includes removing food sources and securing entry points.

H5: Can motion-activated sprinklers really get rid of raccoons?

Motion-activated sprinklers are often cited as one of the most effective harmless raccoon deterrents. The sudden noise and spray of water are very startling and unpleasant for them. They work best when covering specific areas like gardens or paths to trash cans.

H5: What’s the difference between raccoon removal services and pest control?

Raccoon removal services often specialize in dealing with nuisance wildlife, focusing on humane capture and relocation (where legal) or exclusion. Raccoon pest control might be offered by a broader pest control company that also handles insects or rodents. Both should be licensed to handle wildlife if they are performing removal. Always check their specific expertise and methods for raccoons.

H5: How long does it take to get rid of raccoons?

It depends on the situation. Simple deterrence might work in a few days. If raccoons are denning in your home, removal and prevention could take longer and involve professionals. Consistency with prevention methods is key to long-term success.

H5: If I use humane trapping, what kind of bait should I use?

Sweet items like marshmallows, pieces of fruit, or cookies often work well as bait for humane raccoon trapping. Some professionals use canned cat food. Place the bait behind the trigger plate so the raccoon has to fully enter the trap.

Wrapping Things Up

Getting raccoons out of your yard involves a mix of smart prevention, using effective raccoon deterrents, and knowing when to get professional help. Start by making your yard less inviting: secure your trash, bring in pet food, and clean up appealing smells. Use raccoon repellent methods like motion lights or sprinklers to make them uncomfortable. Address specific problems like how to keep raccoons out of garden with fences or taste deterrents.

If raccoons are inside your home, look sick, or are causing significant raccoon damage, contacting raccoon removal services or wild animal control is the safest and most reliable option. They are trained in humane raccoon trapping where necessary and understand local laws.

By consistently applying these tips and making your yard a less desirable spot, you can successfully get rid of raccoons naturally or with minimal intervention and prevent raccoons in yard areas for the future. Taking steps now saves you from potential headaches and raccoon damage later.