If you find a raccoon in your home or yard, you might need to trap it. This is especially true if the animal has been causing damage around your home.
You can also use traps to catch raccoons that are trapped on your property but haven’t caused any problems yet.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Building a raccoon trap can be done in a humane and effective way to control the pests in your area. |
| Simple materials such as wire mesh and wood can be used to build a homemade raccoon trap. |
| Baiting the trap with sweet and smelly foods can increase your chances of successfully catching raccoons. |
| When releasing a trapped raccoon, be sure to wear gloves and give the animal space to exit the trap at its own pace. |
| Always check with your local wildlife agency to ensure that you are following proper regulations when trapping raccoons. |
Step 1: Use Bait
The first step to building a raccoon trap is placing bait on the trigger plate. The best type of bait to use is something that will appeal to the animal you wish to trap. This can be anything from peanut butter and bacon, to bread crumbs and cat food.
The only thing you need to remember when choosing your bait is that it should not be placed directly in front of the trigger plate since this will cause the trap door not to close properly once triggered.
Instead, place your bait off-center behind the trigger plate where it will remain out of sight until an animal comes along and triggers the trap door open with their nose or paw – causing them all contents (including yourself) inside!
Raccoons can be tricky creatures to catch, but with some patience and the right equipment, it’s possible. Check out our guide on how to catch raccoons for an easy and humane way to trap raccoons.
Step 2: Choose Bait
Once you have the trap built, it’s time to decide what kind of bait to use. You’ll want something that will catch the raccoon’s interest and induce them to enter your trap.
If possible, choose a food item that is commonly found in their environment, like peanut butter or baby carrots. Make sure this bait is not harmful to people or animals some foods can cause illness if ingested by non-domesticated animals like raccoons.
| Bait Type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Marshmallows | Raccoons |
| Canned fish | Raccoons |
| Honey | Raccoons |
| Peanut butter | Squirrels |
| Seeds | Squirrels |
| Nuts | Squirrels |
Step 3: Set Up Your Trap
Set up your trap in an area where raccoons are likely to be. It’s best to set up the trap in a natural environment, not in your backyard or garage.
For example, if you’ve seen a raccoon near garbage cans that are accessible by your back door, place the trap at the base of those garbage cans.
If you know there are raccoons living nearby but aren’t sure where exactly they’re hiding out, consider setting up more than one trap so that you can catch them all at once (if possible).
Step 4: Choose A Spot For Your Trap
Once you’ve constructed your raccoon trap, it’s time to find a spot where you think the animals will be. Look for areas that are close to the water source and have easy access. The spot should be flat and free of debris so that people can walk through it easily.
If you’re tired of raccoons getting into your trash cans or causing damage to your property, there are some simple steps you can take to keep them away. Check out our guide on how to keep raccoons away for some effective and humane methods.
Step 5: Make Sure The Animal Is Gone
If you’ve got a raccoon trap that is not being used and you want to make sure the animal is gone, use a flashlight and check for tracks around the trap.
If you don’t see any tracks around the trap, it’s likely that it has been taken away by another animal or predator. However, if you do see tracks around your raccoon trap, then it’s very likely that there are still animals in your area!
Raccoons can do significant damage to your garden if they’re not controlled. If you’re looking for ways to keep raccoons out of your garden, check out our guide on how to keep raccoons out of the garden for some helpful tips and tricks.
Step 6: Set Up A Live Cage Trap
Set up a live cage trap. Since raccoons are curious animals, they will be attracted to the bait in the trap and enter it.
To make sure that they are not injured while entering or leaving, place the cage away from human activity and in a shady area. A raccoon may avoid entering a cage if it’s too big for them to fit through.
| Steps | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select a location where raccoons are frequently seen. |
| 2 | Place the trap on a flat surface and secure it with stakes or weights. |
| 3 | Open the trap door and set the trigger mechanism. |
| 4 | Bait the trap with items such as marshmallows, canned fish, or honey. |
| 5 | Check the trap frequently and release any trapped raccoons as soon as possible. |
| 6 | Clean and disinfect the trap after every use to prevent the spread of disease. |
Step 7: Make Sure The Trap Is Not Around Other Animals And Children
You should make sure that there are no children or pets around the trap. This will help prevent them from getting their fingers and paws caught in it, which could be dangerous.
Also, do not place the trap near any homes or buildings. It is important to take care of yourself when dealing with wildlife so that you don’t get hurt by an animal that may try to defend itself against you.
If there are other animals near where you plan on placing your raccoon trap, move it further away from those areas so that they won’t get caught in it as well!
Raccoons can be a nuisance if they’re getting into your trash cans or causing damage to your property. If you’re looking for ways to get rid of raccoons, check out our guide on how to get rid of raccoons for some tips.
Step 8: Check The Traps As Soon As Possible
The process of building the trap is done, and now you need to check the trap regularly. If you don’t check the traps, you will not be able to catch animals.
In order for your trap to be effective, it must be checked at least twice a day. If it is safe for you to do so in the evening or at night, then go ahead and check them then too!
Step 9: Avoid People And Pets In Trapping Areas
Make sure you avoid people and pets in trapping areas. Raccoons are wild animals, and they can be dangerous to humans.
It is important that you do not let people or their pets near your traps at any time when a raccoon trap is baited with food or other items that may attract them. If a person comes into contact with a raccoon that has been trapped, the animal might become aggressive towards humans in general, including children and adults alike.
This can result in serious injuries from bites or scratches from the animal’s claws. Keep this in mind when setting up the cage trap so that it does not pose any risk of harm to humans or other pets who may come into contact with it by accident, especially if there are children nearby who might wander off into an area where no one else knows about until too late!
| Actions | Directions |
|---|---|
| Position traps away from children and pets | Place traps in a location that is not accessible to children or pets, such as on a high shelf or behind a closed door. |
| Mark trapping areas with warning signs | Clearly mark areas where trapping is taking place with warning signs to alert people and pets to avoid the area. |
| Keep traps out of sight | Avoid placing traps in plain sight where they can be seen by people and pets. |
| Choose appropriate trap size | Use a trap that is appropriately sized for the target animal to minimize the chance of catching unintended animals, such as pets. |
| Monitor traps frequently | Check traps frequently to minimize the amount of time an animal spends trapped and to avoid accidental capture of unintended animals. |
Step 10: Try To Check The Traps At Least Twice In One Day
After you have set the trap, try to check it at least twice in one day. Each time you will have a chance to catch animals. Check traps as soon as possible after setting them up and make sure that there is no one around them.
Avoid people and pets in trapping areas, so they won’t accidentally get caught by your raccoon trap. Make sure that the trap is not around other animals and children, as they can be hurt by it or even catch rabies if they get too close to it (especially dogs).
Keeping raccoons out of your trash cans can be a challenge, but there are some simple and effective methods you can use. Check out our guide on how to keep raccoons out of trash to learn more.
Step 11. Do Not Let Children Touch Or Play With The Traps
- Do not let children touch or play with the traps.
- Children may not understand that the traps are dangerous.
- Children may get hurt if they touch the traps.
- Children may be tempted to play with the traps and can get injured by them.
- Explain that these traps are for catching animals and not for playing with, so they should be left alone at all times!
Conclusion
I hope that this article helped you understand how to make a raccoon trap. If so, please share it with your friends on social media! It’s important to know that there are many different types of traps available and some may work better than others depending on what you’re trying to catch.
Further Reading
How to Build a Raccoon Trap: Tips and Techniques – A comprehensive guide on how to build a raccoon trap, including tips and techniques.
How to Build a Raccoon Trap – A step-by-step guide on how to build a simple raccoon trap using materials commonly found at home.
DIY Raccoon Trap – An informative article on how to build a simple yet effective raccoon trap using a live raccoon trap.
FAQs
What is a raccoon trap?
A raccoon trap is a device used to catch raccoons in a humane manner.
Can I build my raccoon trap?
Yes, you can build your raccoon trap using simple materials such as wire mesh and wood.
How do I bait a raccoon trap?
The best way to bait a raccoon trap is to use sweet and smelly foods such as marshmallows, honey, or raw fish.
How do I release a trapped raccoon?
To release a trapped raccoon, put on gloves and slowly approach the trap. Open the door and step back, allowing the raccoon to exit the trap at its own pace.
Is it legal to trap raccoons?
It is legal to trap raccoons in most states, but laws and regulations can differ depending on where you live. Always check with your local wildlife agency before attempting to trap raccoons.
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!
