Attracting raccoons to your back yard is easier than you might think. These animals are smart, curious and fun to watch as they forage for food and interact with their friends. Raccoons are found all over the world, but most people know them from North America.
If you live in northern parts of this continent, then raccoons are probably already living nearby or visiting regularly but if not, here’s how to encourage these feisty critters into your life!
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Raccoons can pose a threat to your property and your family’s safety. |
| There are several humane ways to get rid of raccoons, including capturing and relocating them. |
| To prevent raccoons from invading your home, eliminate food sources, close off entry points, and use deterrents such as lights and sprinklers. |
| Ants play an important role in the ecosystem and contribute to biodiversity. |
| There are ways to manage ant populations in your garden without harming the environment or other beneficial insects. |
Provide Food
Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. They will eat insects, fish, small mammals, and plants.
The raccoon’s diet varies depending on the season and location. Raccoons typically feed at night or dusk when they are most active.
In Central Park in New York City during the day you can see raccoons feeding on berries from trees planted by humans for this purpose!
Raccoons will also scavenge for food at garbage cans or compost piles if given the opportunity to do so.
You can attract a raccoon simply by providing an accessible food source such as pet food left outside for your pets at night or bird seed during daytime hours when other animals aren’t around to consume it all first (eagles excluded).
Raccoons can cause damage to your property and put you and your family at risk. Protect your home with our guide on how to keep raccoons away and keep your family safe from harm.
Plant Fruit Trees
Plant fruit trees. Raccoons love fruit and they are excellent climbers, so plant a tree with fruits that are easy to reach.
If you want to attract raccoons to your yard, plant apples or figs. These trees will also attract other wildlife such as birds and squirrels, which means that you’ll have plenty of company during feeding time!
| Fruit Trees | Best For | Harvest Season |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Trees | Cool climates | Fall |
| Orange Trees | Warm climates | Winter |
| Peach Trees | Mild climates | Summer |
| Plum Trees | Temperate climates | Late summer |
| Cherry Trees | Temperate climates | Late spring/early summer |
Offer Shelter
To attract raccoons, you’ll need to provide them with shelter. One of the best ways to do that is by setting up a dog house or shed for them. A wooden crate also works well, as does a cardboard box.
Create a Water Source
One of the key things you need to do if you want to attract raccoons is provide a water source. Raccoons are big-time water drinkers, almost constantly downing water like they’re trying out for an Olympic event.
In fact, raccoons can drink up to 2 gallons of water per night! This means that if you want to get them into your yard and make sure they stay there, providing fresh water is probably going to be one of your best bets.
But maybe not just any old bowl or hose will do here—you’ll want something that’s easily accessible but still far enough away from the food sources that it won’t get contaminated with ratty old seeds and other raccoon delicacies (which would totally gross out any guests).
A bird bath with a wide basin might be perfect; it provides plenty of surface area while being just high enough off the ground that no one can reach up and stick their dirty paws into it without jumping up first.
You’ll also want something sturdy enough so as not collapse under its own weight if multiple critters start drinking simultaneously—those guys can really pack on some pounds!
And finally: make sure there’s no way anything could crawl into said basin during daylight hours; those suckers are sneaky little buggers who will find any opening given half an hour with nothing better to do than think about how much fun they’ll have eating all your food when no one’s looking…or something like that anyway.”
Dealing with raccoons in and around your home can be frustrating. Learn a few practical tips on how to get rid of raccoons without hurting them and reclaim your property.
Let the Raccoons Stay Wild
Raccoons are wild animals. They should be left alone. Let’s talk about why you should leave raccoons alone.
Raccoons can carry rabies and other diseases, so it’s not a good idea to touch or trap them yourself unless you are an experienced wildlife rehabilitator or licensed animal control officer (you probably aren’t).
Many people say that feeding raccoons will make them dependent on human food sources and prevent them from being able to survive in the wild, but this is not true!
The fact is that if we don’t feed raccoons, they will eat all of our garbage anyway (and then spread disease).
In fact, even if we did stop feeding them altogether tomorrow, they’d just go somewhere else where people have better trash cans than we do – like your neighbor!
He’ll probably appreciate it more anyway because he doesn’t have such great trash bins like we do here at home.
| Raccoons in the Wild | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Play an important role in the ecosystem | Promote biodiversity and help with pest control |
| Maintain a healthy ecosystem | Clean up fallen fruit and help distribute seeds |
| Are part of our natural environment | Should be respected and not kept as pets |
| Help regulate populations of other animals | Keep pests under control, such as rodents and insects |
Attract Raccoons to Your Backyard
Raccoons are naturally curious and intelligent animals. You have to be careful when feeding raccoons, though they can easily get into trouble and become a menace to the neighborhood.
But if you want to attract raccoons into your backyard, there are some things you can do.
Raccoon Attractants
Raccoons are attracted to pet food, garbage, compost piles and bird seed placed on the ground.
Raccoons also enjoy eating from suet feeders filled with peanut butter or seeds because they find them tasty and easy to reach at night when it’s dark outside.
Keep your trash cans tightly sealed so that no one will notice any spills on the ground nearby; raccoons like nothing better than an open trashcan!
Ants play an important role in our ecosystem and contribute to its biodiversity. To learn why not all ants are pests, check out our article on the significance of ants in the environment.
Give Them Room to Move Around
Provide a large area for the raccoons to move around. A space of at least 10 acres is ideal.
Provide trees and rocks for them to climb on as well as logs for them to rest on.
Ensure that your yard is free from any human activity, such as swimming pools or garbage cans. If you have pets and need to keep them safe from raccoons, you can use a dog run or build an enclosure around your backyard pond so the raccoons cannot get close enough to the water source to drink out of it.
Provide Them with Hiding Places
Raccoons are shy animals that will not approach humans. They need hiding places to feel safe and comfortable, especially if they have young with them.
In addition to a home base where they can sleep and raise their young, raccoons also require shelter from predators and the elements. You can help keep raccoons happy by providing them with:
- Hiding places near your home (such as under decks or porches)
- Water sources that allow them access to fresh drinking water (a pond in the backyard is ideal)
| Types of Hiding Places | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Brush piles | Raccoons can burrow and forage for food |
| Hollow logs | Provide shelter and can be used for nesting |
| Rock piles | Provide shelter and hiding places between rocks |
| Trees | Provide elevated spaces and a natural habitat |
| Outbuildings | Provide covered and safe shelter |
Set up Feeders for Both Summer and Winter
If you want to attract raccoons to your property, the first step is to set up a reliable food source. Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and plants.
They will enjoy eating pet food and birdseed, as well as fruits like apples and pears. If you don’t have any of these items on hand at home, consider buying a feeder for your backyard so that the raccoons can come in from the cold whenever they please.
Don’t Feed the Raccoons in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Raccoons are scavengers, so they’ll eat just about anything. They can get into garbage cans and compost bins, and they might even break into your house to eat pet food or raid the fridge.
But if you don’t want raccoons hanging around, there’s one thing you should definitely not do: feed them.
You should also avoid feeding wild animals in general—feeding them will lead to more wildlife in your yard or neighborhood, which could lead to all kinds of problems for everyone involved (including humans).
If you’re looking for tips on how to keep raccoons out of your yard or how to get rid of raccoons from your yard once they’ve moved in, check out our guide below!
Catching raccoons without a trap requires patience and some basic knowledge of raccoon behavior. Follow our expert tips on how to catch a raccoon without a trap and resolve your raccoon problem humanely
Attract Raccoons with Pet Food
Raccoons are attracted to pet food, and it’s possible that they may become a problem if they get used to feeding on pet food.
Raccoons are very intelligent animals, and they can learn how to open containers in order to get at the contents inside.
Now, let’s talk about what you should do if you want to attract raccoons:
- Feed your pets outdoors. If you’re worried about them getting too much sun or heat, then place the bowl of food under an umbrella or in some shade (or both).
Ants are a natural part of a garden’s ecosystem, but too many ants can harm the plants and their growth. Achieve a balance between pest control and biodiversity with our guide on managing ants in your garden and promote a healthy garden.”
Conclusion
If you want to attract raccoons, then follow these steps. You’ll be able to watch them and enjoy the company of these furry little creatures.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on raccoons and pest control:
The Best Raccoon Bait for Traps: What to Use to Trap Raccoons: This article covers the best bait options for trapping raccoons, including both natural and artificial options.
Top 5 Best Baits to Trap Raccoons: Learn about the top 5 raccoon baits suggested by Havahart, a leading pest control company.
What Is the Best Raccoon Bait?: This article covers different types of raccoon bait, including fruits, vegetables, and meat, and what to consider when choosing the bait for your needs.
FAQs
What are the common signs of raccoon infestation?
- Raccoon droppings near your property or in your attic and chimney
- Loud noises and scurrying sounds coming from your attic or walls (raccoons are nocturnal)
- Damage to your property, such as shredded insulation or siding
- Tracks or paw prints that resemble small human hands
How can I prevent raccoons from invading my property?
- Keep garbage cans secured with tight lids and store them in a secure location
- Eliminate other food sources such as pet food or bird feeders
- Install motion-activated lights or sprinklers to deter raccoons
- Close off any openings or entry points to your house or garage.
Can raccoons be dangerous to humans?
While raccoons generally stay away from humans, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened. It’s important to remember that raccoons are wild animals and can potentially carry diseases such as rabies. It’s best to avoid approaching or trying to handle raccoons.
What should I do if I find a baby raccoon?
If you find a baby raccoon, it’s best to leave it alone unless you suspect it has been abandoned or orphaned. If you’re unsure, observe from a distance for a few hours to see if the mother comes back. If the baby raccoon is in immediate danger, such as on a busy street, contact your local animal control for assistance.
Can raccoons damage my property?
Yes, raccoons can cause damage to your property including tearing holes in the roof or walls, chewing on electrical wires, and digging up gardens. It’s important to address raccoon infestations as soon as possible to minimize the risk of property damage.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
