You probably don’t want raccoons hanging around your yard, but if you’ve got a problem with them, they’re not going anywhere.
So what do you do? You need to attract the creatures that will eat them and there are plenty of animals out there that will gladly take on the role of predator.
The first step is to reduce your chances of attracting raccoons in the first place: keep your trash bins closed and avoid using pesticides or any other chemicals around your property in order to protect yourself from contamination (and also for wildlife’s sake).
If you have a leaky roof or some standing water on your property, those can be great spots for raccoons to live so fix those issues ASAP!
And then it’s time for step two: finding some other animals who would enjoy feasting on these masked bandits.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – Attracting raccoons to your yard can be a fun hobby, but it’s important to keep them at bay by securing your property and preventing common attractants. |
| – Raccoons can cause damage to your yard and spread diseases to humans, so it’s important to learn about ways to prevent and control their presence. |
| – Simple and effective measures like securing your trash cans, installing a fence, using natural deterrents, or calling for professional help can be used to keep raccoons at bay. |
| – Knowing the signs of a raccoon infestation and the diseases they carry is vital to ensuring your property and your family’s health and safety. |
| – The further reading section provides additional resources to learn more about preventing and controlling raccoons in and around your property. |
Add A Water Feature
Make sure the water feature is safe for both humans and animals.
Clean out your water feature regularly, at least once a week by removing leaves or other debris that may gather in it. You can also install an automatic cleaning system that will keep your water feature clean without you having to do any work!
Maintain and check on your water feature regularly; make sure everything is working properly so nothing breaks down, which would mean more work for you later on!
Attracting raccoons to your yard can be fun, but it’s important to keep them at bay too. Our guide on how to keep raccoons away offers simple and effective tips to ensure that raccoons do not overstay their welcome.
Put Out A Bird Feeder
A bird feeder is a great way to attract raccoons and other wildlife to your yard.
Before you put up a bird feeder, however, make sure it’s a high-quality one. A cheap plastic feeder will quickly break down in the weather and create more problems than benefits for you—and for the raccoons who might be attracted by it.
That’s why we recommend investing in an enameled metal or copper birdfeeder from our store!
We also recommend not putting the feeder too close to your house—this can make it easier for them (or other pests) to get into it if they manage to figure out how to open it up.
And don’t hang any homemade suet cakes from trees near where people are likely walking around outside; these are easy targets for raccoons looking for food and may lead them right into your backyard!
If possible, keep this area clear of leaf litter as well so that their paws don’t become contaminated with bacteria when they go digging through them looking for pieces of meat or seeds that have fallen out of their nests.
| Types of Bird Feeders | Features |
|---|---|
| Tube Feeders | Good for smaller seed-eating birds |
| Hopper Feeders | Attracts a variety of birds and holds more seeds |
| Suet Feeders | Great for woodpeckers and other insect-eating birds |
| Platform or Tray Feeders | Attracts a variety of birds and allows for larger seeds and food items |
Leave Out Extra Food
The first thing to do if you want to attract raccoons is to leave out extra food. Raccoons are omnivores, so they will eat fruit, vegetables and meat.
The best way to feed them is by putting out a bowl of water in the morning and some dog food or fruit at night. If you have any extra vegetables or fruits that are starting to go bad in your kitchen, put those out too!
Make sure not to put anything rotten or spoiled out though; otherwise the raccoons could get sick from it and then people may not want your neighborhood anymore!
Pesticides can harm both beneficial and harmful insects in your garden. Our guide on managing ants in your garden offers a balanced approach to pest control that benefits your garden’s biodiversity.
Add Plants And Trees To Your Landscape That Raccoons Enjoy.
There are a number of plants and trees you can include in your landscape that will attract raccoons to it.
For example, raccoons love fruits, especially grapes, apples and pears. They also love nuts: pecans, walnuts and chestnuts are favorites. Raccoons also enjoy eating seeds from sunflowers or pumpkins and corn on the cob.
Finally, insects make up part of the diet for these animals; make sure to have plants that attract ladybugs or other beneficial insects into your yard!
Remove Any Debris That Could Be Harboring Rodents.
The easiest way to attract raccoons and other wildlife to your yard is by removing any debris that could be harboring rodents and then keeping it clean. Be careful of raccoon feces, as it can carry diseases such as tularemia and leptospirosis.
Don’t use pesticides in your yard or on the plants you want to attract; pest control products can poison a raccoon if he eats them, making him sick or even killing him.
Also don’t leave pet food out and unsecured; this will only attract more rodents into your yard—which will only make the problem worse!
Let Your Dogs And Cats Outside At Night
You can also encourage raccoons to visit your yard by letting your pets outside at night.
However, you should keep them inside during the day so they don’t come into contact with any raccoons that might be hanging around. If you see a raccoon, call animal control immediately and keep your pets away from it!
Gardening is fun, especially when you get to plant a variety of vegetables and fruits. But it can quickly turn into a nightmare if raccoons invade your garden. Our guide on how to keep raccoons out of your garden provides valuable tips to keep these furry creatures out while still maintaining a flourishing garden.
Set Up A Motion-Activated Sprinkler
Set up a motion-activated sprinkler. Raccoons are wary of new things in their territory, so this will help them know they’re not welcome in your yard.
You can do this by placing a sprinkler near the area where you think they are coming into your yard, or on top of your roof where raccoons like to go.
Make sure you have a good water source nearby; otherwise, the sprinkler won’t be effective in keeping them away.
For example, if there’s an underground pipe nearby and no drainage system for it not even a gutter then setting up a motion sensor on top of it will waste water and scare away any wildlife (including raccoons).
Avoid Using Pesticides, As They Can Poison Raccoons
Pesticides are not effective in preventing raccoon damage. They can also be harmful to children and pets, as well as the environment.
Raccoons should be trapped, but only by a professional who has experience with wildlife removal methods. If you must kill them, use a non-lethal method such as trapping and relocation or euthanasia.
Don’t Let Your Trash Get Too Full
If you want to attract raccoons to your yard, make sure that your trash isn’t too full. If it is, then the odors may attract them and keep them around.
If you don’t want any raccoons hanging around, then make sure that the garbage cans are tightly sealed when they aren’t in use.
Also, try not to leave food out where they can get access to it while they’re in your garbage can – this will only make matters worse!
Raccoons can be cute from afar, but when they start to invade your space, it’s time to take action. Our guide on how to get rid of raccoons offers insight into eliminating them from your property in a humane way
Take Care Of Any Leaks Or Standing Water Around Your House
If you’re concerned about the dangers of raccoons, don’t be! As long as you take care of any leaks or standing water around your house, they won’t be able to get inside. Raccoons can carry rabies, which is a severe disease that can affect humans and animals alike.
Additionally, raccoons are very destructive creatures who will wreak havoc on anything they can get their paws on—from flowerpots to cars, nothing is safe from these little bandits.
They also have been known to carry parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms in their intestines which may cause illness if ingested by humans or pets. Finally (and most importantly), raccoons are dangerous because they might bite you if provoked!
If all this talk about the many dangers associated with having a raccoon in your neighborhood has made it seem like it’s not worth taking care of them after all…don’t worry!
There’s still one more reason why we recommend doing so: We guarantee once you attract one into your yard…they’ll bring friends!
Raccoons can create a mess when they get into your trash cans. Our guide on how to keep raccoons out of your trash provides useful tips to secure your trash cans and keep raccoons away
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you some insight into how to attract raccoons to your yard. Now that you know their habits and preferences, it’s time to get started on your new furry friends! Just follow these simple steps:
Further Reading
Things That Attract Raccoons to Your Yard: What to Do: This guide shares useful tips on what to do if you already have raccoons in your yard or how to make your yard less inviting to them.
What Attracts Raccoons: A Homeowner’s Guide: Learn about the common attractants, behaviors of raccoons, and how to prevent and control raccoon infestation in and around your property.
Raccoons in the Yard: What You Need to Know: Havahart provides valuable insight into the lifestyle, dangers and damage raccoons can cause in your yard, and how to prevent them from entering your property.
FAQs
What are some common food sources for raccoons?
Some common food sources for raccoons include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, insects, small mammals, pet food, and human food waste.
How can I keep raccoons out of my garden?
You can keep raccoons out of your garden by installing a fence, using motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic sound devices, using natural deterrents like cayenne pepper or garlic, or securing your garbage cans.
What are the signs of a raccoon infestation?
Signs of a raccoon infestation include torn or damaged shingles, holes in the roof or siding, droppings, tracks, and claw marks on trees or walls.
What are the diseases associated with raccoons?
Raccoons can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans, such as rabies, leptospirosis, and salmonella. It’s essential to take precautions, such as wearing gloves when handling raccoon waste or avoiding direct contact with raccoons.
What should I do if I see a raccoon out during the day?
Although raccoons are typically nocturnal animals, it’s not uncommon to see them out during the day. If you see a raccoon out during the day, it might be sick or injured. It’s best to call animal control or a licensed wildlife removal professional to handle the situation.
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!
