In many parts of the country, raccoons are common pests. They can be a real nuisance, tearing up garbage cans and yards, and making noise at night. Some homeowners try to get rid of raccoons on their own, but this can be dangerous and difficult. If you want to know how to get rid of a raccoon, you’ve got to follow these tips to be effective – and to be safe.
Raccoons are nocturnal, quirky animals that can be fun to watch from a distance until they invade your home or yard. Raccoons commonly carry rabies spread listeriosis, tetanus, and roundworm salmonella. They can also be a threat to your pets. It’s also a nuisance to see raccoon droppings in your yard.
Dealing with a raccoon infestation immediately will protect your health and save your home/yard from destruction. In this article, we will walk you through the process of eliminating these pesky, destructive animals.
Why Are Raccoons Hanging Around?
Food and shelter are the main reasons that attract raccoons to your home and yard. Nocturnal animals look for quiet, dark, safe places to shelter during the day, making your home the perfect target. Â
Male raccoons and females without babies tend to shelter under decks, sheds, or other outbuildings. However, mothers with babies will only find shelter in high places like your attic, so taking steps to prevent raccoon population growth will save you a lot of trouble down the road.
Here are a few basic suggestions:
- Secure trash can lids
- Remove pet food from outside
- Raccoon-proof your bird feeders
- Use raccoon repellents and scents to repel them
- Use protectors over chimney and roof vents
- Seal any entry points under your deck, shed, and house
Below you will find a more detailed list of solutions that are specific to each type of infestation.
How Do I Get Rid of Raccoons in My Yard?
Raccoons root around your yard, looking for food sources such as grubs. Unfortunately, they will rip up expensive landscaping and flower beds looking for them, so eliminating the food source is crucial.
Professional Grub Treatment
A pest management company can eliminate grubs from your yard, cutting off their food supply, and a yearly plan will ensure they don’t return.
Getting Rid of Raccoons with Ammonia
The pungent smell of ammonia is a natural deterrent. Pour ammonia in high-traffic areas to discourage and repel raccoons.
Other Home Remedies to Deter Raccoons
Vinegar, garlic, cayenne pepper, dirty cat litter, and blood meal fertilizer are all household items that can be used to discourage raccoons from taking up residence in your yard.
Light and Sound Deterrents
Most hardware stores sell motion-activated solar lights to scare raccoons away from your lawn and garden. However, a device that emits sound and light is the most effective. You can find these online.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Raccoons
Ammonia, vinegar, garlic, cayenne pepper, dirty cat litter, and blood meal are all-natural ways of eliminating raccoons from highly-traveled areas, as discussed above, but there are other things to consider.
Your bird feeder is another attraction. Place your feeder as high as possible and invest in a raccoon-proof feeder or have a raccoon guard that will eliminate their ability to feed.
Clean up any fruit or nuts from trees in your yard. Secure your trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
Remove all pet and bird food that could be easily accessible, and don’t ever intentionally feed raccoons.
Trim vegetation around your yard and seal any entry points under your deck, sheds, and house.
Seal roof vents and chimney with galvanized steel or stainless steel vent protectors. Do not use plastic or aluminum covers that a raccoon can easily rip off.
Electric garden fencing is a cost-effective way of keeping them out of your garden and out of koi ponds, compost piles, and flower beds.
Tips on How to Scare Raccoons Away From Your House
Light and noise are some of the easiest ways to scare raccoons away from your house.
Motion-activated light and sound units are cost-effective solutions that are simple to install.
You can find many available options online to fit any budget.
How to Get Rid of Raccoons in the Walls
Raccoons in a wall will destroy wiring and insulation and keep you awake all night with their constant movement.
To effectively rid your walls of raccoons is a difficult job that should be left to a pest management company.
Once the area is cleared, it is crucial to identify the access point or points so they can be sealed eliminating further access.
How Do You Get Rid of Raccoons Fast?
Trapping is the fastest way to get rid of raccoons for good in your home/yard without harming you or the animal.
Catch and release traps are available at hardware and feed stores. Use any food from your kitchen as bait, set the trap, and in a few days, you will have your raccoon.
Consult your local animal control regarding relocation and raccoon control. Every state has different laws on what is acceptable because they are animals that carry disease.Â
Many states require euthanasia once a raccoon is caught because it can be dangerous. Your local animal control will help you kill raccoons humanely once they are trapped.
Final Thoughts
Raccoons are highly intelligent animals that carry disease and cause destruction, but luckily, you have many tools to eliminate them from your home/yard.
The fastest way to tackle raccoon problem is using a catch and release trap and eliminating their food source.Â
You can also secure trash can lids, trim vegetation, and seal all access points under your deck and outbuildings. In addition, blocking chimneys, gutters and vents will keep adult raccoons and baby raccoons out of your attic before a difficult infestation of multiple animals occurs.
Household items like ammonia, vinegar, hot peppers, dirty cat litter and blood meal are also easy ways to deter their presence.
Motion-activated light and sound is an easy, effective deterrent that can be set up in minutes.
Raccoons may be cute, but they also carry disease and cause destruction, so prevention is the best course of action. However, if you experience an infestation, you now have all the tools you need including raccoon removal to deal with the problem quickly.
*image by Jaimie_Tuchman/depositphotos
