Raccoons are a part of life in many cities, but they can make your life miserable if they get into your house. If you’ve got a problem with raccoons, here are some tips to help you solve it and keep the little critters out in the future:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Secure all trash cans and compost bins |
| Use motion-activated lights and sprinklers to deter raccoons |
| Clear away potential hiding spots like brush and debris |
| Block access to your home’s attic and crawlspace |
| Consider installing special pet doors that close automatically |
| If all else fails, consult with a professional wildlife removal service |
Secure Your Trash
Secure your trash. Raccoons are notorious for getting into trash cans, and they can tear through plastic bags to get at food scraps and other goodies. If you’ve seen raccoons in your area, be sure to keep all of your garbage securely stored inside until you’re ready to take it out.
Make sure the lid is closed tightly on lidded open containers like barrels and dumpsters as well as wheelie bins with flip-top lids.
Clean up any spills immediately—and don’t forget about cleaning up after pets! Pet food left outside overnight is a big draw for raccoons looking for an easy meal, so make sure any pet bowls are emptied every day and that nothing else around the house smells like food either (like laundry detergent or soap).
Don’t put out trash early in the morning before work or late at night when people are sleeping—it will attract wildlife that could become unwelcome guests inside during those times!
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Protect Your Pets
To protect your pets, you should keep them indoors at night, and keep cats inside during the day. Also, if you’re walking your dog outside, keep it on a leash.
If you have a backyard, try to keep your dog in there when no one’s home so that raccoons can’t get into the house through a pet door or window.
| Tips |
|---|
| Keep your pets indoors, especially at night |
| Supervise your pets when they are outside |
| Install a tall and sturdy fence around your yard |
| Always keep your pets’ food and water bowls inside |
| Keep your cats indoors, even during the day |
| Make sure your pets are up to date on vaccinations |
| Consider using flea and tick prevention products for your pets |
| Teach your dogs basic obedience commands to help keep them safe |
Stay Away From Raccoons
Raccoons are wild animals, not pets. They should never be fed or touched. Feeding raccoons may cause them to associate humans with food and could lead to aggressive behavior.
Additionally, raccoon saliva carries several diseases that can be transmitted to humans through scratches or bites from infected animals. This can make you sick!
Make Sure They Aren’t Getting In Through Holes Or Vents In Your House
If you think that raccoons are getting into your home, it’s important to make sure they aren’t getting in through holes or vents.
Check the roof, walls, and foundation for places where raccoons might be able to get in. Also check around windows and doors for gaps, as well as any vents that may have been loosened up or removed entirely.
Make sure the doors and windows are secure on your house so they can’t use them as entry points.
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Leave Baby Raccoons Alone
The mother raccoon will return to the site of the den to retrieve her babies. If you pick up a baby raccoon, it will die.
The mother won’t be able to find it and leave it behind when she returns for her offspring. You don’t want to be responsible for the death of an innocent animal, so please leave baby raccoons alone!
It is likely that the mother is nearby waiting for you to go away so she can get back into her den and continue caring for her babies. She may not return if she thinks you will touch them again or otherwise disturb them.
Don’t Remove A Raccoon’s Babies
As much as you might want to get rid of the raccoons in your attic, don’t remove their babies. Raccoons are very protective of their young, and if you remove them from their nesting area, the mother will return to get them.
Moreover, if you try to trap a raccoon’s young on your own and take them away from her—even if it’s just for a few hours—they will die.
A stressed-out raccoon mother can’t care for any young she has left behind or any more new ones that come along later in life.
The stress could also affect her ability to survive in general because she won’t have time or energy for hunting food or keeping herself warm enough through cold winters.
| Facts |
|---|
| Raccoons are devoted mothers who care for their young |
| Separating a mother raccoon from her babies can cause distress |
| Babies who are separated from their mothers have a low chance of survival |
| Young raccoons are usually weaned and independent by late summer |
| Raccoons are usually only active at night, so it can be difficult to tell if you’re disturbing a family |
| Mother raccoons will move their babies to new den sites if they feel threatened, so removing them is not a long-term solution |
| If you’re concerned about raccoons on your property, contact a professional for humane removal and relocation solutions |
Avoid Scare Tactics That Don’t Work
You may have heard that raising the pitch of a radio or TV can keep raccoons away. Unfortunately, this is not true. Raccoons have excellent hearing and sight, so don’t count on scaring them off with loud noises.
In addition to not working, these kinds of scare tactics are also unnecessary because there are humane ways to remove raccoons from your home or yard without having to resort to such tricks (see below).
Another common misconception is that you can use mothballs or ammonia bombs as repellents—again this doesn’t work because you’re only masking the odor of food sources with something they find offensive (like urine).
Plus, it’s important to note that moths aren’t attracted only by food items but also by light sources like lamps or windows—so if they do come in while you’re trying out your mothball strategy they’ll just go right back out again!
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Leave Lethal Methods To The Professionals
Many homeowners opt for lethal methods in an attempt to address the problem, but this is not the best way to go about it.
Lethal methods are not effective, humane, or safe for people or pets (as noted above). In fact, they can be illegal in many states.
Feed Your Pets Inside
As I mentioned, raccoons can be quite curious and will approach your pets while they’re eating. If you must feed your pets outside, keep the food covered. If you must feed them outside, clean up immediately after they have eaten.
Bring the food back inside with you when they’re done eating so that no raccoon will take a chance at stealing it before then.
As an added precaution: if you have a cat who likes to hunt mice or birds (and most cats do), bring him/her in at night until this threat has passed.
Maintain Your Lawn And Pool Area
If you have a pool, make sure it’s maintained and chlorinated. Raccoons are very attracted to pools, and they can be injured or even killed by diving into them.
Raccoons are also attracted to food left outside. Don’t leave pet food out overnight! Keep birdseed from your feeders inside at night (if you’re lucky enough to have raccoons visiting your yard).
Lastly, keep pet doors closed when you’re not home. If there is no way for a raccoon to get in through the door (because it has been closed by another human), then they won’t try very hard.
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Keep An Eye Out For Signs Of A Raccoon Living Near Your House
If you have raccoons living near your house, they may leave behind clues that they’re around. Look out for tracks in the snow, droppings and nesting areas.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into how to deal with raccoons. These animals are not as dangerous as they may seem, but they can cause a lot of damage if left unchecked.
The most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings and stay alert for any signs that there is a raccoon living nearby. If you do find one in your yard or home, don’t panic!
There are plenty of humane ways to deal with the situation that won’t hurt anyone (or anything). The most effective way? Stay calm and call an expert who knows what they’re doing.
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Further reading
Here are some additional resources for getting rid of raccoons:
NG Pest: How to Get Rid of Raccoons: A comprehensive guide to raccoon removal, featuring tips on prevention, humane trapping, exclusion, and more.
House Method: How to Get Rid of Raccoons: This article breaks down different approaches to raccoon removal, including DIY methods and professional services.
Family Handyman: How to Get Rid of Raccoons: A step-by-step guide to prevent raccoons from damaging your property, including advice on using deterrents and blocking access points.
FAQs
What is the best way to get rid of raccoons?
The best way to get rid of raccoons depends on your situation. In general, prevention measures like securing trash cans and blocking entry points are the best long-term solutions. If you already have a raccoon problem, humane live trapping may be necessary. It’s important to do research and consult with a professional before attempting any raccoon removal methods.
Is it legal to trap and relocate raccoons?
Laws regarding raccoon trapping and relocation vary by state and even by city. In some areas, it may be illegal to trap and relocate raccoons without a permit. It’s important to check local regulations before attempting to trap raccoons.
How can I prevent raccoons from getting into my trash?
One of the most effective ways to prevent raccoons from getting into your trash is to use a secure, latched trash can. You can also store your trash inside until the day of pickup. Another option is to sprinkle cayenne pepper or ammonia around your trash cans as a deterrent.
Are raccoons dangerous?
Raccoons can be dangerous, especially if they feel threatened or cornered. They can carry diseases like rabies, and their bites and scratches can cause serious injuries. It’s important to avoid approaching or provoking raccoons.
How can I tell if I have a raccoon problem?
Signs of a raccoon problem include torn or damaged trash cans, claw marks on structures or trees, and sightings of raccoons on your property. You may also hear scratching, thumping, or vocalizations coming from your attic or crawl space.
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!
