Expert Tips: How To Rid Your Yard Of Raccoons Forever

Can you get rid of raccoons from your yard on your own? Yes, you often can, but it takes effort and the right steps. Raccoons love yards because they offer easy food, water, and shelter. Getting rid of them means taking away the things they want. This guide gives you expert tips and different raccoon removal methods to help you stop raccoons from visiting your yard for good, focusing on humane raccoon deterrents first.

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Figuring Out Why Raccoons Are There

Raccoons don’t just show up for no reason. Something in your yard brings them in. They are looking for a few main things:

• Food: Easy meals are a big draw. This means trash, pet food left outside, birdseed, fallen fruit, and even tasty plants or bugs in your lawn.
• Water: They need to drink. Birdbaths, pet water bowls, ponds, or even puddles can attract them.
• Shelter: Raccoons need safe places to rest or have their young. This could be under decks, in sheds, in crawl spaces, or in thick bushes.

If you want to stop raccoons, you must take away these things.

Seeing Signs of Raccoon Visitors

How do you know if raccoons are visiting? Look for these signs of raccoon infestation:

• Knocked over trash cans.
• Garbage spread around.
• Paw prints in mud or dirt. Raccoon prints look a bit like tiny human hands.
• Damage to gardens, like eaten vegetables or fruits.
• Torn screens or damage around entry points to sheds or homes.
• Strange noises at night, like chattering, growling, or screeching.
• Feces in unusual places, often raised spots like decks or fences.

Spotting these signs early helps you act fast.

Taking Away Their Dinner Plate

Raccoons are big fans of free food. The easiest way to invite them over is by leaving food out.

Securing Your Trash

Your garbage is a buffet for raccoons. Making it hard to reach is step one.

• Use heavy-duty trash cans.
• Get cans with tight-fitting lids.
• Add latches or bungee cords to keep lids shut tight.
• You can buy cans that are made to be critter-proof.
• Keep trash cans inside a garage or shed until pick-up day.
• Wash out trash cans sometimes to remove smells that attract animals.

Making sure you secure garbage cans from raccoons is one of the most important steps. If they can’t get into the trash, they might look elsewhere for food.

Pet Food and Bird Seed

Pet food left outside is a major draw. Raccoons love kibble.

• Feed pets inside.
• If you feed pets outside, pick up bowls right after they finish eating.
• Store pet food in tough containers with secure lids, not just the bag it came in.
• Bird feeders also attract raccoons. Use feeders they can’t easily get into.
• Clean up spilled birdseed from the ground below feeders often.

Removing these easy food sources makes your yard less appealing right away.

Gardens and Fruit Trees

Your hard work in the garden can become a raccoon meal.

• Harvest fruits and vegetables as soon as they are ripe.
• Pick up any fallen fruit from under trees quickly.
• Consider fencing your garden. We will talk more about fences later.
• Some strong smells can keep raccoons away from plants. We will discuss natural deterrents soon.

Using Gentle Ways to Keep Them Away

Many people want to get rid of raccoons without harming them. Humane raccoon deterrents work by making your yard unpleasant for them.

Smells Raccoons Don’t Like

Raccoons have a good sense of smell. Some smells they really don’t like.

• Ammonia: The smell is like the urine of other animals. Soak rags in ammonia and place them near places raccoons visit. Do this safely, away from pets and children. Ammonia needs to be refreshed often.
• Hot Pepper: Raccoons dislike spicy smells and tastes. You can make a spray with cayenne pepper and water. Spray it lightly on non-food items they touch, like trash cans or fences. Be careful not to spray where pets or kids might get it in their eyes or mouths. You can also buy raccoon repellent spray that uses this idea.
• Garlic and Onion: Strong smells from crushed garlic or onions can bother them.
• Peppermint: Some people have luck with peppermint oil or plants around areas raccoons frequent.

Using natural smells is part of getting rid of raccoons naturally.

Sounds and Lights to Scare Them

Raccoons are often more active at night. Sudden lights or sounds can startle them and make them feel unsafe.

• Motion-Activated Lights: Install lights that turn on when something moves. A sudden bright light can scare a raccoon away.
• Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These spray water when they sense movement. Raccoons don’t like being sprayed with water. These are very effective humane deterrents.
• Noise Makers: Some people use radios tuned to talk stations or alarms set to go off at certain times. However, raccoons can get used to constant noise. Sudden, unexpected noises are better.

Other Things Raccoons Dislike

• Predator Urine: Smells like coyote or bobcat urine can make raccoons think a danger is nearby. You can buy these scents at garden stores. Use them around the edges of your yard.
• Rough Surfaces: Raccoons don’t like walking on prickly or rough surfaces. Laying down chicken wire flat on the ground near entry points can deter them.

These deterrents work best when used together and moved around so raccoons don’t get used to them.

Building Walls to Keep Them Out

Sometimes, you need to physically block raccoons from getting into certain areas. This is called exclusion. Wildlife exclusion fencing is a key part of preventing raccoons in yard.

Fencing Your Yard

A simple fence might not be enough. Raccoons are good climbers and diggers.

• Height: Fences should be at least 4 feet tall, but taller is better if possible.
• Top: Add an outward-facing overhang or electric wire at the top. This makes climbing over very hard.
• Bottom: Bury the bottom of the fence deep in the ground, at least 6-12 inches. Bend the bottom outward into an ‘L’ shape underground. This stops them from digging under.
• Material: Strong wire mesh or hardware cloth works well. Make sure the holes are too small for a raccoon to squeeze through.

Securing Structures

Raccoons love to make homes under decks, in sheds, or even under houses.

• Skirting: Seal off the areas under decks, porches, and sheds with strong wire mesh or solid barriers.
• Vent Covers: Check vents to crawl spaces or attics. Make sure covers are secure and strong.
• Chimney Caps: Raccoons can climb into uncapped chimneys. Install a sturdy metal chimney cap.
• Repair Holes: Fix any holes in walls or roofs quickly.

Doing this exclusion work makes your yard safe for your family but unsafe as a home for raccoons.

What If Deterrents Don’t Work?

Sometimes, raccoons are persistent or have made a den. When simple deterrents fail, you might need more direct raccoon removal methods.

Trapping Raccoons

Trapping is one way to remove a raccoon. However, it’s important to know that trapping can be complex and is often regulated by local laws.

• Types of Traps: Live traps are often used. These cages catch the animal without hurting it.
• Bait: Use tempting bait like marshmallows, sweet fruits, or dry pet food inside the trap.
• Placement: Put the trap where you see signs of raccoons, often along fences or near where they enter your yard.
• Check Often: If you set a live trap, you must check it often. Leaving an animal in a trap for a long time is cruel and can be illegal.
• Release Location: Releasing a trapped raccoon can be tricky. You need to know local laws about where you can release wildlife. Releasing it close by might just mean it comes back. Releasing it far away might put it in danger or cause problems in a new area.

Trapping raccoons safely means doing your homework. Learn the laws in your area first. Handling a trapped raccoon is risky. They can bite or scratch and might carry diseases like rabies.

It is strongly advised to call a professional for trapping and removal.

When to Call the Experts

For many people, the best and safest way to handle a raccoon problem is to call professionals. Animal control services or private wildlife removal companies know how to deal with raccoons safely and legally.

• Dangerous Situations: If a raccoon seems sick (acting strangely, aggressive, stumbling) or is acting bold during the day, it could have rabies or other diseases. Do not go near it. Call animal control immediately.
• Raccoons Indoors: If a raccoon gets inside your house, attic, or chimney, call for help. Removing an animal from inside a building is hard and risky.
• Mother with Babies: If you find a mother raccoon and her young, especially in a den (like under your deck or in your attic), removal is complex. Removing the mother might leave the babies to die, causing more problems. Professionals know how to deal with these situations, often trying to get the mother to move her babies on her own first.
• Laws: Wildlife laws vary a lot. Professionals know the rules about trapping, relocating, and dealing with nuisance animals in your specific area.
• Safety: Professionals have the right gear to protect themselves from bites, scratches, and diseases.

Using animal control services or a professional removal company is often the most effective and safest path for raccoon removal methods, especially when DIY steps haven’t worked or the situation is risky.

Keeping Raccoons Away for Good

Getting rid of raccoons is one thing. Keeping them from coming back is another. Long-term success means being consistent with your efforts.

Make Your Yard Less Welcome

• Cleanliness: Keep your yard tidy. Remove brush piles, old lumber, and anything else where raccoons could hide.
• Water Sources: Empty pet water bowls at night. Cover ponds or pools if possible. Fix leaky outdoor faucets.
• Bird Baths: Clean bird baths often and consider emptying them at night.
• Compost: If you compost, use a bin with a secure lid. Don’t add meat or dairy, which attract pests.
• Pet Waste: Clean up pet waste regularly. It can attract various animals.

Stay Alert

Keep an eye out for new signs of raccoon infestation. The sooner you notice them trying to come back, the sooner you can reinforce your deterrents or barriers.

Talk to Neighbors

If your neighbors also have attractants like unsecured trash or pet food, raccoons might keep coming to your area. Working with neighbors to remove attractants helps everyone.

Staying Safe Around Raccoons

Raccoons are wild animals. Even if they look cute, they can be dangerous.

• Do Not Feed: Never feed raccoons, either on purpose or by leaving food out. This makes them less afraid of people and more likely to become a problem.
• Keep Distance: Watch raccoons from far away. Never try to pet or handle one.
• Rabies: Raccoons can carry rabies, a serious disease. A raccoon acting sick, aggressive, or unafraid of people during the day might be rabid. Call animal control if you see this.
• Feces: Raccoon feces can contain roundworm eggs, which can be harmful to people and pets. Be careful when cleaning up raccoon droppings. Wear gloves and a mask. Seal the droppings in a bag and put them in the trash. Clean the area well with hot water and soap or a disinfectant.

Safety is key when dealing with any wildlife.

Comparing Raccoon Control Options

Here is a simple look at different ways to deal with raccoons:

Method	Description	Pros	Cons	When to Use
Removing Attractants	Secure trash, pick up pet food/birdseed, clean up yard.	Humane, prevents future visits, addresses cause	Requires ongoing effort	Always the first step
Humane Deterrents	Smells (ammonia, pepper), sounds, lights, water sprinklers	Humane, non-lethal	Raccoons can get used to them, may need multiple methods	Early signs of visits, low-level problems
Exclusion/Fencing	Building barriers, sealing entry points under structures.	Long-term solution, physical barrier	Can be costly, requires construction/work, must be done right	To prevent access to specific areas or whole yard
Trapping (DIY)	Using live cage traps to catch raccoons.	Removes the specific animal	Risky (bites, diseases), legal rules vary, release issues	For mild problems, if local laws allow, and you are prepared
Professional Removal	Hiring animal control or private company.	Safe, effective, legal, handles complex cases	Costs money	Raccoons indoors, suspected illness, mother/babies, persistent issues

Combining several of these raccoon removal methods often works best. Start with removing attractants and using deterrents before thinking about trapping or calling professionals.

Getting Rid of Raccoons Naturally

Many of the humane deterrents discussed earlier fall under getting rid of raccoons naturally. This focuses on using things found in nature or simple household items instead of harsh chemicals or lethal methods.

• Natural Smells: Ammonia, hot pepper, garlic, peppermint, predator urine are natural deterrents.
• Water: Motion-activated sprinklers use water, a natural element, to scare them.
• Physical Barriers: Fences and sealing points are physical, not chemical or harmful methods.

The natural approach is often preferred as it’s safe for the raccoons, your family, pets, and the environment. It’s about making your yard an uncomfortable place for raccoons using simple, non-toxic means.

Frequently Asked Questions About Raccoon Control

Here are answers to common questions people ask about dealing with raccoons in their yard.

What is the best deterrent for raccoons?

There isn’t one “best” deterrent for everyone. Often, using a mix of things works best. Removing food sources (like securing trash) is the most important first step. After that, using motion-activated lights or sprinklers is very effective. Strong smells like ammonia or hot pepper spray can also help keep them away from specific spots.

Will mothballs keep raccoons away?

Some people use mothballs, but experts usually don’t recommend them. Mothballs contain chemicals that are toxic and can be harmful to pets, children, and other wildlife. Also, raccoons can get used to the smell, and they might not be effective long-term. There are safer and more reliable humane raccoon deterrents available.

Is it legal to trap raccoons?

Laws about trapping raccoons vary widely depending on where you live (your state, city, or county). In some places, it’s legal for homeowners to trap nuisance animals under certain rules. In other places, only licensed professionals can trap and remove wildlife. You MUST check your local laws before attempting to trap a raccoon yourself. Not following the rules can lead to fines or legal trouble.

Can raccoons climb fences?

Yes, raccoons are excellent climbers. They have nimble paws that let them climb many types of fences, trees, and walls. A standard fence alone might not be enough to keep them out. To stop them from climbing, you need features like outward-facing overhangs, electric wires at the top, or smooth surfaces they can’t grip.

Will a raccoon attack my pet?

Raccoons generally try to avoid conflict, but they can attack pets, especially if they feel threatened, are protecting young, or are cornered. Small pets like cats or small dogs are more at risk. Keep pets indoors at night when raccoons are most active. Supervise pets when they are outside, especially at dawn and dusk.

How do professionals remove raccoons?

**Animal control services** and private wildlife removal companies use various **raccoon removal methods**. This often includes using live traps to catch the animal. If the raccoon is inside a structure, they have special tools and methods to safely guide or remove it. For mother raccoons with babies, they often try to encourage the mother to move her den on her own, which is the most humane way. Professionals handle the animal safely and follow all local laws regarding relocation or other actions.

How can I stop raccoons from digging up my yard?

Raccoons might dig for grubs or other insects in your lawn. Treating your lawn for grubs can help remove this food source. You can also use deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers or natural smells (like pepper spray) on areas they are digging. Putting down chicken wire flat on the ground can also make it uncomfortable for them to dig there.

Conclusion

Getting rid of raccoons from your yard forever means making your property unwelcoming. Start by taking away the things that attract them – food, water, and shelter. Use humane raccoon deterrents like smells, sounds, and lights to scare them away. Build wildlife exclusion fencing and seal up entry points to structures to block their access. If the problem continues or involves a sick animal or a den, call animal control services or a professional wildlife remover for safe and legal help. By being proactive and consistent, you can enjoy your yard without these furry, masked visitors.