Proven Ways How To Stop Raccoons From Coming In Your Yard

Proven Ways How To Stop Raccoons From Coming In Your Yard

How can I keep raccoons away from my yard? You can keep raccoons away from your yard by taking away things they want: food, water, and shelter. This guide gives you simple, proven ways to make your yard less attractive to these clever animals. We will look at different methods, from simple fixes like how to secure garbage cans and remove food sources to using raccoon deterrents and natural raccoon control. We’ll also talk about physical barriers like a fence for raccoons and making sure your whole yard is critter proof. Using these wildlife control methods can help prevent raccoons in garden areas and keep them out of your yard.

Why Raccoons Come to Your Yard

Raccoons are looking for easy meals and safe places to rest or have their babies. Your yard might be like a free all-you-can-eat buffet and a safe hotel for them.

They are attracted by:
* Food that is left out.
* Trash cans that are easy to get into.
* Pet food bowls left outside.
* Bird feeders with seeds on the ground.
* Ripe fruits or vegetables in your garden.
* Water sources like ponds or pet bowls.
* Places to hide, like under decks, in sheds, or wood piles.

Stopping them means taking away these things.

Image Source: www.thespruce.com

Stop Raccoons By Removing Food

Taking away food is the most important step. Raccoons are very good at finding food. If they can’t find food easily in your yard, they will look somewhere else.

Guard Your Trash

Your garbage cans are often the main reason raccoons visit. They can smell food from far away.

• Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
• Put heavy objects like bricks or weights on top of the lids.
• Use bungee cords or ropes to tie the lid down.
• Store trash cans inside a shed or garage until pick-up day if you can.
• Clean your trash cans often to reduce smells.
• Think about buying special critter-proof trash cans with locking lids. These are harder for raccoons to open.
• Don’t put trash bags outside the can. Always put trash inside the can.
• Rinse food containers before putting them in the trash or recycling. This helps lower the smell.

Using these steps to secure garbage cans makes it much harder for raccoons to get a free meal.

Hide Pet Food

Leaving pet food outside, even just for a short time, can attract raccoons. They have a great sense of smell.

• Feed your pets inside your home.
• If you must feed pets outside, do it only for a short time. Stay with them.
• Pick up their food bowls right after they finish eating.
• Wash the bowls after use. This removes leftover smells.
• Do not leave pet food or water out overnight.

Taking away pet food bowls helps remove food sources that raccoons look for.

Fix Bird Feeders

Bird feeders can be another food source. Seeds and nuts often fall to the ground. This is easy food for raccoons.

• Use bird feeders designed to catch spilled seeds.
• Clean up spilled seeds and hulls from the ground every day.
• Hang feeders high up. Make sure they are far from branches or poles raccoons can climb.
• Use baffles. These are dome-shaped guards that stop raccoons from climbing up or down to the feeder.
• Bring feeders inside at night. Raccoons are most active then.
• Think about not feeding birds for a short time if you have a bad raccoon problem. This breaks the habit of raccoons visiting.

Managing bird feeders helps remove food sources and makes your yard less appealing.

Protect Your Garden

Your garden can look like a tasty salad bar or fruit stand to a raccoon. Ripe produce, berries, and even some vegetables can attract them.

• Pick ripe fruits and vegetables as soon as they are ready. Do not leave them on plants or on the ground.
• Clean up any fallen fruits, berries, or vegetables right away.
• Consider fencing your garden area. We will talk more about fences later.
• Some people use motion-activated sprinklers near gardens. A sudden spray of water can scare raccoons away.
• Plant strong-smelling plants raccoons dislike around your garden edge. Mint, garlic, or onions might help a little.
• You can try dusting plants with cayenne pepper or a mix of hot pepper flakes. Raccoons don’t like the taste or smell. Reapply after rain.

Using these methods helps prevent raccoons in garden areas and keeps your hard work from being eaten. It is part of removing all possible remove food sources.

Make Your Yard Less Welcoming

After removing food, the next step is to make your yard less comfortable for raccoons. They need places to hide, sleep, and raise families.

Block Den Spots

Raccoons look for safe places to create dens. Common spots are under decks, porches, in sheds, attics, or wood piles.

• Inspect your home and yard for possible entry points. Look under decks, around porches, and foundations.
• Seal off openings. Use sturdy materials like heavy-gauge wire mesh (like hardware cloth) or solid boards. Bury the bottom edge of the mesh a few inches into the ground. This stops them from digging under.
• Check sheds and outbuildings. Make sure doors close tightly and windows are sealed. Repair any holes or broken screens.
• Stack wood piles neatly. Keep them off the ground if possible. Store them away from your house.
• Trim bushes and trees near your house. Raccoons might use them to climb onto your roof or balcony.
• Close off spaces under decks and porches with strong lattice or wire mesh.

Blocking these potential den sites makes your yard less attractive for raccoons looking for shelter. This helps make your yard more critter proof yard.

Take Away Water Bowls

Just like food, raccoons need water. Any standing water source can attract them.

• Empty bird baths at night.
• Bring pet water bowls inside overnight.
• Fix leaky outdoor faucets or hoses that create puddles.
• Cover fish ponds or pools with netting. This stops raccoons from drinking or catching fish.
• Make sure drain pipes direct water away from your foundation and don’t create standing water areas.

Removing easy water sources means raccoons have one less reason to visit your yard.

Use Physical Barriers

Sometimes removing attractions isn’t enough. Physical barriers can be needed to keep raccoons out of specific areas.

Build a Fence

A regular fence might not stop a raccoon. They are good climbers. A fence for raccoons needs to be designed to stop them.

• Height is important. A fence should be at least 4 feet tall. Raccoons can climb most fences.
• Add an outward-sloping section at the top. Angle the top 1-2 feet of the fence outwards at a 45-degree angle. This makes it hard for them to get over the top.
• Use smooth materials they can’t grip easily. Metal or hard plastic might be better than wood.
• Bury the bottom of the fence. Dig a trench 6-12 inches deep. Bury the fence material in it. Then, bend the bottom 6 inches of the fence outwards into an “L” shape underground. This stops them from digging under the fence.
• Electric fences can work well. A single strand of electric wire placed 6 inches above the ground and another 6 inches above that (12 inches total) can give a mild shock that scares them off. Place them outside your main fence line. The shock surprises them but does not seriously harm them.

Building the right fence for raccoons takes effort but can protect specific areas like gardens or chicken coops effectively.

Critter Proof Your Home

Raccoons sometimes try to get into homes, sheds, or attics. Checking and sealing entry points is important.

• Look for holes or gaps in walls, roofs, and foundations. Raccoons can squeeze into small spaces.
• Check attic vents and chimneys. Make sure they are covered with sturdy mesh screen.
• Repair any broken window screens, especially on ground-floor windows or windows raccoons can reach by climbing trees.
• Ensure pet doors are secure, especially at night. Some pet doors can be locked or are only open for pets with special collars.
• Look under porches and decks again. Make sure screens or mesh are still attached and have no new holes.
• Check basement window wells. Cover them with grates. Raccoons can fall in and get trapped.

Making sure all these potential entry points are sealed helps make your house and yard truly critter proof yard.

Try Deterrents

Raccoon deterrents use things raccoons don’t like to scare them away. These are often used along with removing food and blocking shelter. Deterrents work best when raccoons are just starting to visit or in combination with other methods.

Scent Sprays

Raccoons have a good sense of smell, but they dislike certain smells. You can use raccoon repellent sprays or place items with strong smells. This is often called natural raccoon control if using items like pepper or garlic.

• Hot Pepper/Capsaicin: Raccoons hate the smell and taste of hot pepper. You can buy sprays that contain capsaicin. Spray them on areas where raccoons go, like trash cans or garden edges. You can also make your own by boiling pepper flakes in water, straining it, and using a spray bottle. Reapply after rain.
• Ammonia: The smell of ammonia can make raccoons think a predator is near. Soak rags in ammonia and place them in open containers near trash cans or den sites (if you know for sure no raccoons are currently inside). Be careful using ammonia, especially around pets or children. It’s not a natural raccoon control method and should be used with caution.
• Garlic and Peppermint: Some people report success with strong-smelling plants like garlic or mint. Planting them around areas you want to protect might help. Garlic cloves or peppermint oil extracts might also deter them.
• Commercial Raccoon Repellents: Many products are sold as raccoon repellents. They use different ingredients, often scents raccoons dislike. Read reviews and follow directions carefully. Their success can vary.

Scent deterrents need to be reapplied often, especially after rain or watering.

Loud Noises

Sudden loud noises can startle raccoons and make them leave.

• Motion-Activated Alarms: You can buy small devices that make a loud noise or sound a whistle when they sense movement. Place them near areas raccoons visit.
• Radios: Some people leave a radio playing in a shed or near a den site (again, only if you are sure no raccoons are inside) to make the area seem occupied. Talk radio is sometimes suggested.

Noise deterrents can work at first, but raccoons might get used to them over time.

Bright Lights

Raccoons are mainly active at night (nocturnal). Bright, sudden lights can bother them.

• Motion-Sensor Lights: Install lights that turn on when they detect movement. Place them in areas like your yard, near trash cans, or garden paths. The sudden bright light can scare them away.
• Flashing Lights: Some people use flashing lights or reflective tape. While less effective than bright motion lights, they might add to the deterrence.

Motion lights are often more effective than lights left on all the time, as the sudden change is startling.

Water Sprinklers

A sudden spray of water is a very effective deterrent for many animals, including raccoons.

• Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These devices connect to your hose and are placed in your yard. When a raccoon walks into the sensor’s range, the sprinkler turns on and sprays water. This surprise is usually enough to make them run away.
• Place them near gardens, trash cans, or paths raccoons use.

Motion-activated sprinklers are one of the most recommended raccoon deterrents because they are effective and harmless.

When Problems Continue

Sometimes, despite all your efforts, raccoons keep coming back. In these cases, you may need more direct wildlife control methods. It is often best to get help from professionals.

Call Professionals

Wildlife control experts know how to deal with raccoons safely and legally.

• They can identify how raccoons are getting in and where they are nesting.
• They know the best and most humane ways to capture and remove raccoons.
• They understand local laws about trapping and relocating wildlife. These laws can be complicated and differ in different areas.
• Professionals can also help you find and fix the entry points permanently. This stops new raccoons from moving in.

Trapping: Trapping a raccoon can be dangerous. Raccoons can bite and scratch. They can also carry diseases like rabies. Using a live trap requires you to handle the animal or transport it. There are strict rules about where you can release a trapped animal. In many places, it is illegal to move wildlife far from where it was caught. This is because it can spread disease or cause problems for raccoons already living in the release area. For these reasons, trapping is best left to experienced professionals. Lethal traps should almost never be used by homeowners; they are dangerous and often not humane.

Calling a wildlife control service is the safest and most effective way to handle a raccoon problem you cannot solve yourself. They have the right wildlife control methods and knowledge.

Things Not To Do

When trying to stop raccoons, some methods are harmful, not effective, or illegal.

Don’t Feed Raccoons

Never feed raccoons on purpose. This includes leaving food out for them or making them feel welcome.

• Feeding raccoons makes them less afraid of people.
• It teaches them to rely on humans for food.
• It can lead to raccoons becoming aggressive or trying to enter homes more often.
• It can cause raccoons to gather in large numbers, increasing the risk of disease spread.

Feeding raccoons creates bigger problems in the long run.

Don’t Use Poison

Using poison to kill raccoons is dangerous and should never be done.

• Poison is cruel. It causes animals to suffer a painful death.
• Poison meant for raccoons can easily harm or kill other animals, including pets (like dogs or cats) and beneficial wildlife (like owls or foxes) that might eat the poisoned raccoon.
• Using poison on wildlife is illegal in many places.
• If a raccoon dies from poison in your yard, its body can attract more pests or spread disease.

Focus on keeping raccoons away using safe methods, not killing them.

Stay Consistent

Getting rid of raccoons is not a one-time fix. You need to keep up your efforts.

• Regularly check your trash cans. Make sure lids are still tight.
• Sweep up spilled birdseed often.
• Check your yard and home for new holes or damage that could become entry points.
• Reapply scent deterrents after rain.
• Make sure motion lights and sprinklers are working.

Consistency is key to keeping raccoons away for good. Keep your yard clean and secure. This makes it clear to raccoons that your yard is not a place for them to find easy food or shelter.

Questions People Ask

Here are answers to some common questions about raccoons.

• Are raccoons dangerous? Raccoons are usually not aggressive towards people unless they feel trapped or are protecting their young. However, they can carry diseases like rabies, distemper, and roundworm. You should never try to pet or handle a wild raccoon. Keep a safe distance. If a raccoon seems sick (stumbling, acting strangely, being out in the daytime) or overly aggressive, call your local animal control or wildlife authority.
• Will mothballs work to scare raccoons away? Mothballs have a strong smell that some animals dislike. However, they are not proven to be effective raccoon deterrents. Also, mothballs contain chemicals that can be harmful to pets, children, and other wildlife. Their smell is also unpleasant for humans. They are generally not recommended.
• What time do raccoons come out? Raccoons are mostly nocturnal. This means they are most active at night, usually from dusk until dawn. However, it is not unusual to see a raccoon out during the day, especially if they are looking for food or have young to feed. Seeing one during the day does not automatically mean it is sick, but you should still keep your distance.
• Are they nocturnal? Yes, raccoons are primarily nocturnal animals.
• Can I trap and move a raccoon myself? In many places, it is illegal for a homeowner to trap and relocate wildlife. Laws vary by state or region. Moving an animal can cause problems for the animal itself and for other animals in the new location. It is best to contact a professional wildlife control service. They know the laws and safe, legal ways to handle raccoons.
• What smells do raccoons hate? Raccoons dislike the smell of hot pepper (capsaicin), ammonia, and possibly strong scents like garlic or peppermint. These can be used as raccoon repellent.
• How tall should a fence be to stop raccoons? A fence should be at least 4 feet tall. Adding an outward-angled section at the top (at least 1-2 feet) and burying the bottom part are also very important to stop them from climbing over or digging under. This makes it a proper fence for raccoons.

Final Words

Raccoons can be a problem when they decide your yard is a good place to live and eat. But you can take steps to stop them. Start by removing everything that attracts them. Remove food sources like open trash cans and pet food. Secure garbage cans properly. Make your yard less inviting by cleaning up and blocking den spots. Use raccoon deterrents like motion lights, sprinklers, or pepper sprays. If you have a persistent problem, look into physical barriers like a proper fence for raccoons or make sure your whole yard is truly critter proof yard. Remember to be consistent with your efforts.

Using humane wildlife control methods and focusing on prevention is the best way to keep raccoons away and enjoy your yard again. By following these proven steps, you can greatly prevent raccoons in garden areas and keep your property free from these clever critters.