Many homeowners face a common problem—raccoons around their property. While these wild animals may appear cute and harmless, they can cause significant problems, from scavenging in trash cans to nesting in attics and leaving behind hazardous raccoon droppings. This guide will provide practical, humane, and effective strategies to help you get rid of raccoons and prevent their return.
Signs of Raccoon Activity Around Your Home
Common Indicators of Raccoon Presence
There are several telltale signs that raccoons may be active around your home. One of the most obvious is overturned or raided trash cans, as raccoons are skilled scavengers with a knack for finding food sources.
You may also notice small paw prints in soft soil or mud, recognizable by their finger-like shape. If raccoons have entered your home, you might hear scratching or scampering noises, especially at night, as they are nocturnal animals. You may also hear the 'mewing' sounds of baby raccoons in the mother's den.
Damage to vents, roofing, or siding can also signal that a raccoon is attempting to access your attic or other parts of your home. Additionally, raccoon feces around your property are a clear indication of their presence and should be handled with caution due to potential health risks.
Trash cans with open lids easily attract scavenging raccoons.
Why Raccoons are Attracted to Your Home
Raccoons are opportunistic creatures, always searching for readily available food, shelter, and nesting areas. Understanding what attracts raccoons to your property can help you take preventative measures. Common attractants include:
Trash cans
Trash cans with easy-to-open lids can attract unwanted wildlife. Animals such as raccoons and rodents are skilled at getting into unsecured bins and looking for food scraps or leftovers.
Pet food
Pet food left outside, especially overnight, is a major draw for animals. It can attract not only stray pets but also wildlife like raccoons, opossums, and even bears, depending on your location.
Bird feeders
Bird feeders that scatter seeds on the ground can create a mess that appeals to critters like squirrels, rats, and other scavengers. Keeping the area clean and using spill-proof feeders can help mitigate this issue.
Gardens
Gardens with fruits, vegetables, or grubs act as a buffet for various animals. Fencing and protective measures can help safeguard your plants from becoming a target.
Shelter
Shelter opportunities such as attics, crawl spaces, or under porches can provide animals with safe, warm places to hide or nest. Sealing entry points and regular inspections can help prevent this.
Proactively addressing these issues is the first step toward effective raccoon removal.
Replacing your bird feeder with one that is spill-proof can discourage raccoons from hanging around your property.
How to Remove Raccoons Around Your Property
Dealing with raccoons on your property requires a thoughtful combination of deterrence, prevention, and exclusion strategies. By following these steps, you can handle the issue effectively and humanely.
Secure Food Sources
Raccoons are often attracted to properties because of easy access to food. Removing available food sources is one of the most effective ways to make your home less appealing to them. Start by ensuring that your trash cans are sealed properly, ideally with locking lids or bungee cords, and store them in a secure location like a garage or shed whenever possible.
Avoid leaving pet food outdoors, especially overnight. If you feed your pets outside, make sure to remove any leftover food immediately. Bird feeders can also be a major attractant for raccoons.
Consider using raccoon-proof bird feeders with protective features like weight-activated closing lids or, if raccoons remain persistent, remove the feeders entirely. Additionally, if you have a garden, promptly clean up any fallen fruits or vegetables to prevent raccoons from taking advantage.
Block Entry Points
To prevent raccoons from entering your home, it's important to identify and seal potential entry points. Inspect your house for vulnerabilities, such as gaps in the roof, foundation, walls, or attic vents, and close these openings using metal mesh or hardware cloth.
If you have a chimney, install a sturdy chimney cap made from sheet metal with attached wire mesh to keep raccoons from getting inside. Spaces under porches and decks should also be securely enclosed with wire mesh or lattice to prevent raccoons from nesting there.
Additionally, trimming tree branches so they are at least three feet away from your roofline can significantly reduce the chances of raccoons climbing onto your roof.
Use Deterrents
Deterrence strategies can discourage raccoons from visiting your property by targeting their senses. Motion-activated lights or floodlights are effective at startling raccoons, as the sudden illumination creates a sense of threat.
Noise disruptions, such as placing a loud running radio near common nesting areas or adding wind chimes to frequented spots, can also be effective. Another popular option is motion-activated sprinklers, which spray a harmless burst of water to scare raccoons away.
In terms of raccoon repellents, there are several options to consider. Homemade remedies, such as sprinkling a mix of ground garlic and chili powder around your yard, can irritate raccoons' sensitive paws and noses.
You can also place vinegar- or ammonia-soaked tennis balls near known entry points or nesting areas to repel raccoons. The scent of cucumbers is another natural deterrent, as raccoons hate their scent.
Predator Urine
If these options are not sufficient, commercial raccoon repellents like predator urine sprays can mimic the presence of natural predators and help keep raccoons at bay. Bonide Repels All offers a solution to a huge variety of animals that you need to repel from your property.
Apply Exclusion Measures
Once raccoons have left your property, exclusion measures are essential for keeping them from coming back. Installing one-way doors in areas like attics or crawl spaces allows raccoons to leave but prevents them from reentering.
Adding coyote rollers to your fences can also be an effective strategy. These spinning cylinders make it difficult for raccoons to climb over fences. Additionally, ultrasonic devices, which emit high-frequency sounds that raccoons find unpleasant, can further discourage them from hanging around your property.
Maintain Your Property
Maintaining a clean and well-organized yard is another key step in deterring raccoons. Regularly clean up any debris, such as fallen branches, leaf piles, or firewood stacks, as these can provide hiding spots. Frequently mowing your lawn can also reduce potential hiding places in tall grass.
Trimming vegetation near fences or walls will limit raccoons' access routes, and eliminating grubs in your grass with an appropriate lawn treatment can remove a favorite food source for raccoons.
Seek Professional Assistance
If raccoons have already entered sensitive areas like your attic or crawl spaces, it's best to seek professional help. Handling raccoons on your own can be risky, as they may become defensive or carry diseases like rabies.
A professional wildlife removal service can safely and humanely remove a dangerous or rabid raccoon while providing tailored advice to help prevent future infestations. In many cases, they can safely relocate raccoons to areas away from neighborhoods.
Stay Humane in All Your Efforts
Although raccoons can be a nuisance, it's important to address the issue humanely. Avoid direct interaction with the animals for both their safety and your own. Humane traps and non-lethal measures should always take priority over harmful methods.
Check on local regulations to ensure you can legally trap raccoons in your area. By following these steps, you can effectively manage raccoon problems while ensuring the animals are treated with care and respect.
Regularly inspect your home for signs of raccoons so you can prevent them from returning.
Preventing Raccoons From Returning
Effective raccoon removal is only half the battle. To prevent future issues, it's important to take proactive steps to keep your home and property raccoon-free. Here are some detailed tips to help you safeguard your space:
Inspect Your Home Regularly
Perform routine checks around your property for any new entry points or signs of nesting. Raccoons are highly resourceful and can squeeze through small gaps or openings. Pay close attention to areas like attics, crawl spaces, chimneys, and vents, as these are common access points. Seal any gaps you find with durable materials like steel mesh or caulk to block entry.
Secure Attractants
Raccoons are opportunistic feeders, so anything with a strong scent can lure them to your property. Store pet food, bird seed, and garbage in raccoon-proof containers with tight-fitting lids. If possible, keep these items in a garage or shed. For compost bins, ensure they are securely locked or designed to keep wildlife out.
Maintain a Clean Yard
Raccoons are drawn to cluttered or overgrown spaces where they can hide or find food. Keep your yard tidy by trimming overgrown vegetation, cleaning up fallen fruit from trees, and removing any piles of debris or wood. This reduces the chances of raccoons finding shelter or food on your property.
Use Motion-Activated Deterrents
Install motion-sensitive sprinklers, lights, or sound devices in areas where raccoons are likely to roam. These devices startle the animals and discourage them from returning. Ensure the devices are regularly maintained and functional, especially during high-risk times like spring and fall when raccoons are more active.
Protect Vulnerable Areas
Consider adding chimney caps, securing vents with metal screens, and reinforcing areas like roof edges and soffits. These measures make it harder for raccoons to find a way in.
Remove Other Food Sources
If you have outdoor pets, bring their food and water dishes inside overnight. Avoid feeding wildlife, as this can unintentionally attract raccoons. If you have bird feeders, use designs that are harder for raccoons to access or bring them indoors at night.
By following these steps and staying vigilant, you'll reduce the chances of raccoons returning and help protect your home and property from future intrusions. Prevention is key to keeping these clever creatures away for good!
Final Thoughts on Managing Raccoons
Raccoons are resourceful wild animals, but with persistence and the right techniques, you can successfully get rid of them and keep them away from your home. By securing food sources, blocking entry points, and using deterrents and exclusion tactics, you can create an environment that discourages raccoons from returning.
If you're struggling with a raccoon problem and feel unsure about where to start, consider reaching out to professional removal services or to one of our experts for advice. Their humane, effective strategies can help restore peace and provide long-term solutions.
