how to get rid of raccoon problems??

Has anyone ever had raccoon problems?

I have a really bad raccoon problem in my neighborhood and I just don’t know how to make them go away. One of my neighbors had a family of raccoons live in their shed. She didn’t want to evacuate them because they had babies. I had never seen such a disgusting amount of poop in my life when we walked in there. It smelled strongly of raccoon. They tore down that shed when the babies grew up.

My last straw was when they destroyed my garden. I built a square foot garden and grew a beautiful crop of corn. I woke up one morning to find stalks and half-gnawed corn everywhere. That was it!

I’ve heard that raccoons have the same tastebuds as humans do, so that probably explains their penchant for going through our garbage and garden.

Does anyone here have any suggestions for how to get rid of raccoons? I would really appreciate it! I have heard De-Fence raccoon spikes work well but what do you guys think?

I don't know anything that will keep them away once they've discovered your garden as a food source.  They are grace-A vandals, just tearing things up, ripping corn off the stalk, and being an all around pain in the butt.  You've got to trap them.  If you don't want to use a leg-hold or barrel trap (which does a number on their legs—you've got to kill them if you use them) use a box trap.  Once you've got them in the trap, you can drive them far away and relocate them.

I've bought a couple of box traps on Amazon.  30 or 40 bucks or so.  Get a larger one -- they don't go into smaller ones --- at least a foot tall on the inside.  I use the same one for possums and squirrels, so it's better to get a big one you can use for all sorts of pests.

1.  They are very very smart.  The little ones are easy to catch, but mama will be smart.  If you catch the little ones first, she'll hang around and try to get them out --- very loyal and protective of her little ones.  If you get her first, the little ones are easy to catch afterwards.

2.  Use a bait that they can smell and really like.  I use sardines or canned cat food.  Sardines work best.  Put a few chunks around the outside and give them a taste, and the rest of the can in the back of the box trap.

3.  The little ones are cute as anything, but the big ones are mean.  If you catch them, they'll bark at you like a dog.  Use gloves when you pick up the cage just in case they try to reach up and scratch you.

Best of luck.

I would suggest it is not a raccoon problem, but a lack of crop protection.

Knowing full well there were wild foragers in your area (raccoon Mum with kits in neighbors shed) it seems there was nothing done, proactively, to protect the crop...this seems a bit irresponsible, how are wildlife to know you did not plant the corn for them??  Seriously, though, killing, trapping, relocating etc. will not work, long term.  This simply creates a vacuum (empty territory) that will soon be repopulated (we all know nature HATES a vacuum - look at your garden and how quickly it will be populated with weeds!), and your troubles will start all over again.  Secondly, raccoons are one of the best predators against rats - likely they would have been rampant had the coons not been about and they would have trashed the corn field. Lastly, coons generally do not waste their time on unripe produce, they generally do not move in until the crop is prime, so the simplest solution is to harvest your crops promptly.

There are basically three ways to protect against unwanted raccoons, barrier, deterrent, or removal of attractant.  In your case, removal of the attractant is not an option (although properly securing trash cans would go a long way to eliminating their food source), so I will explain some simple, cost effective, permanent solutions that will keep your garden coon (and deer, rabbit, rat, squirrel....) free.

Barrier:  most labor intensive, but potentially free. Scout about for old, used, metal roofing to turn into fencing, it is climb proof.  It also has the advantage of being a wind break and creating a bit of a micro climate, along with being maintenance free as it will never rot (especially if you go the extra mile and use metal posts).  The roofing can be painted if color is an issue, or it can be purchased in a multitude of colors - just be sure to install it with the posts facing INTO your garden, so you do not have crop diners climb the posts.  I would also recommend burying the metal roofing fence at least a foot in the ground to deter the diggers (rats, rabbits etc.).  You will also have to trim any overhanging trees that could allow them to circumnavigate the fence.and be mindful of any structures they could climb to get over the fence. This will create a completely secure enclosure, assuming you miss no points of ingress.

Not free, but very effective, is portable is electric mesh fencing, often called rabbit fencing (kencove.com) this is a 3-4 foot high mesh, 150 feet long that can be temporarily or permanently installed (simply attached to push in stakes) and configured in any shape you desire.  It can also be moved from crop to crop as various things come into season before you are ready to harvest.

The deterrents are passive measures that make your garden unattractive for various reasons.  Bird scare tape (2 inch wide holographic mylar tape) works great for flies, birds, and other critters, although coons would be an unknown for me).  There is a product called a ScareCrow that is a motion activated water cannon/sprinkler that some folks swear by ($100 - but others say the critters get used to it to quickly).  There are motion activated sensors that trigger a crazy dog barking, or get a real dog.  Or the oldest standby, urinate on the perimeter of your property/garden regularly.  There are dozens of other 'home remedies' I am sure others can offer more suggestions.

At the end of the day, is it really fair for animals to suffer or die because  humans do not properly protect their crops; or because some critter was hungry and angered a human by helping themselves to an open buffet??  Poor crop protection planning should not entitle anyone to a rampant killing spree, let alone one that involves outright cruelty.  Lets be proactive and protect the crops IN ADVANCE, rather than take out ones frustration on critters after the fact when the fault is initial poor planning.  In any case, this is no place for the outright cruelty another poster advocated.  Be a human, be humane, and do not use leg hold traps, barrel traps, etc.; do not separate Mum's and kits, leaving the kits to slowly starve to death; do not trap and relocate dumping them into another raccoons territory where it is kill or be killed.  If killing is your only option, use a gun and do it right.

I hope that we all will take responsibility for both our action/inaction and view this as a lesson learned.  Let's plan better next year, learn how to co-exist with all creatures, and still manage to have a healthy harvest.

In many jurisdictions, it is illegal to relocate wildlife.  Where I live, that is the case.

On a higher level, you may be relocating your problem, and making it someone else's problem.  We live pretty rural, and have had animals dumped here.  Not cool.

Raccoons can quickly reproduce to high/nuisance/destructive/unhealthy levels.

Be extremely cautious around the raccoons and their droppings.  There are at least four diseases that are communicable to humans.

1. They are THE most common carrier of rabies in the US.

2.  Baylisascaris procyonis,  or roundworm encephalitis
the eggs are so light, they can become airborne and be inhaled by humans.

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/baylisascaris/gen_info/faqs.html


3. Leptospirosis

4. Salmonella


here's a nice summary:

http://www.austinpug.org/4-common-infectious-diseases-spread-by-raccoons/


There are ethical ways to trap and euthanize raccoons.  

Marshmallows make a good bait for raccoons.  Again, put a few outside and the rest in the trap.  I have had raccoon problems in 4 different states.  They thrive around humans and increase their populations.  AT the first sign of raccoons checking the outer rows of corn to see if it is ready, I tied my dogs around the garden, EVERY NIGHT BEFORE SUNSET.  At times with a  big sweet corn patch I've tied 3 out there on different sides of the garden.  It must just be the smell and noise and activity of the dogs that keeps the coons away.  I have never had coon problems after the dogs started their nighttime watch.  I'm sure they aren't very happy with me for doing it, especially during a rainy night, but they come willingly.  Border collies usually.  I don't put the little rat terrier out there.  I'm afraid she could become raccoon food.  Good luck.  I know what you are going thru.  BTW, some say electric fence works, usually at the top and bottom of woven wire or 2X4 fence.

Raccoons are an invasive species in Utah (and probably anywhere west of the Rockies), so relocation is discouraged, and sometimes unlawful, depending on the jurisdiction.  One year, I had several rows of sweet corn stripped bare.  I put out a box trap and caught a mother and then four pups.  At that time, the Fish and Wildlife folks took care of urban wildlife and they provided a kill box at their office.  Now, you have to do everything yourself and hope for the best.  I used a boiled egg and peanut butter as bait.  If you don't want to catch skunks, and you really don't want to catch a skunk in a wire mesh trap, put the trap up at least 18 inches off the ground.  I used cinder blocks.  The raccoons will climb right in, no problem.

Raccoons are cute, intelligent, vile little devils that will strip your garden bare, kill your poultry and even small dogs -- and yes, their poop reeks.  If you stumble onto a family group, don't confront them.  I heard some interesting battle stories from the Fish and Wildlife control officer.

Twenty years ago I dealt with two farmers, one  spent almost every night, up on the barn roof, laying in wait for marauding raccoons to shoot, 17 in three months.  In less than a week I solved his problem.  The second had a Koi Farm - raccoons, water and fish, can you imagine a more perfect storm??  In a urban environment - shooting was not an option - he had trapped, spray painted their butts, and released 32 raccoons in just four months.  He spray painted them to see if they were coming back, they were not, others were simply identifying the vacant turf and were moving on in.  I solved his issue in under a week.  It is not because I am a 'coon lover' it is because I want a cheap, successful solution to a maddening problem.  Life is too short to spend every night up on the roof, waiting for coons to shoot.

There seems to be a lot of misinformation and or anecdotal information about raccoons, their habits, their history and their threat to humans, pets, livestock and property.  If I could just offer some insight into this clever, and yes, at times problematic, creature - one of the few that has actually learned to co-exist with humans, adapt and thrive in an urban environment.  My goal is to offer some understanding for a very misunderstood, environmentally valuable creature, and truly permanent solutions for unwanted wildlife.  

Raccoons are strictly defensive creatures, if threatened and unable to retreat, they will defend themselves.  Unlike cats, sometimes dogs etc. they do not stalk, hunt or attack for the sake of enjoyment.  They are omnivores, just like us, and will kill and forage to eat.  A raccoon has but one litter per year, born, generally in spring, and stay with Mum until mid winter.  They nurse for FOUR months (nursing Mums must feed frequently therefor WILL be out during the day), lose their baby teeth at SIX months, and are the only creature I know of that will keep a daughter from last years litter to co-raise the next generation with.  

A raccoon in the bush may need hundreds of square miles for a territory sufficient to feed it, in the cities, most just need a couple of city blocks, humans supply more than enough food for them in that tiny amount of territory.  They are incredibly bright, on par with a Rhesus Monkey, and a hair below a dolphin (the US military uses dolphins to find and deploy underwater explosives!!).  Perhaps this is why they are so easy to hate, they are constantly out thinking, out witting, and besting the humans around them. They have garnered a most undeserved reputation for being dangerous or aggressive...if someone cornered me, hit me, threw things at me, shot at me, trapped me in a tiny box, I too would be pretty nasty back.  I too would growl, lunge, and bite.  Generally, given a five foot berth, they will ignore you (glass doesn't count, they know it is solid and you cannot get them), and carry on - some humans view this 'lack of fear' as either a threat or an insult, it is only they have co-existed with us for so long they have us figured out and know when to be worried and when not to be.  The better raccoons are understood, the less likely they will cause you a problem.

Raccoons and Chickens:  a properly built coop with a cement floor, solid walls or heavy gauge wire, and enclosed soffits will secure any fowl overnight from predation.  At least raccoons don't slaughter the entire flock like some species, if a coon can get in so can a mink, weasel, bird of prey etc.  Let's look at safely securing our fowl so we don't make them "sitting ducks".

Raccoons and Garbage:  if a raccoon is getting into your garbage or compost it is not properly secured, instead of anger at the raccoon, view them as a messenger - if you are attracting coons it is only a matter of time before it is a bear, cougar or other predator that is dangerous to humans.

Raccoons and Crops:  when planting anything all manner of effort is invested into preventing insect predation, weed takeovers, and preparing great soil.  We need to also look at what animals or birds will also view your efforts as a buffet and prepare your defenses accordingly; deer, raccoon, bear, rabbit are just a few who will view your garden as their buffet, and why not, when nothing is preventing them from entering.  

Raccoons and Fruit/Grapes:  they doooo love corn and fruit, especially the 'pit fruits' like plums, cherries, grapes (they have seeds), but they are also extremely fussy, only the sweetest, ripest and most prime products will tempt them.  This is your secret to out witting them at their game.  Pick your produce AS SOON AS IT APPROACHES RIPENESS, beat them to the punch.

Raccoons and Rats:  if you have rats, you do not have coons, if you have coons you do not have rats...which animal is more damaging to plantings and buildings??  

Raccoons and Baylis Ascaris:  technically this is correct, but look at the CDC numbers for how many actually contract this parasite - it is only the seriously immune compromised, or extremely heavy, daily, year after year ingestion of these eggs that result in contraction of the parasite - it is a round worm, just like hundreds of other round worms that dogs, cats, cattle carry, it is NOT limited to raccoons, I believe at last count this specific round worm has been found in  27 other species, it is called raccoon roundworm colloquially because they are immune to the negative consequences.

Raccoons and Rabies:  yes, they can carry rabies, as can ANY other mammal, interestingly, bats are one of the most contaminated vectors, but what we are looking at to deal with Zika?

I understand the knee jerk reaction when ones hard fought battle to raise a food garden is thwarted by ANY critter...but generally the damage is already done, and it is revenge the human is after.  Please, be it an eagle that picked off a chicken, a rat that destroyed your grain, or a coon that ate your corn, rather than vengeance, perhaps instead it is time to learn how not to be a victim next time.

I would disagree with the premise that to remove a raccoon is to invite a new one into the vacuum.  That depends on your location.  That hasn't been my experience at all.  Over the past 20 years, I've had 4 encounters with the little guys, but once I've trapped them and cleared them out, I'll have years of freedom from them.  I think I've got one out there now, but so far he/she hasn't been a problem.  But it's been years since I last had problems with them, so by trapping and relocating them, I've bought myself years of trouble free existence.

I live in Los Angeles country—close to 5000 square miles—much of it urban and inhabited, with well watered lawns and gardens aplenty.  But raccoons are still rare enough that removing them makes a serious dent in the local population and buying you some peace.

We've got owls and plenty of feral cats moving around at night to take care of any rats.  No need for masked-bandit vandals to deal with rats here.

If you have had only four incidents in such a long period of time, I would suggest you are the victim of someone trapping and relocating raccoons TO your area.  Further, that suggests that your area is unsuitable habitat for raccoons and that is why when they find your property they become such an issue.  A prime example of why the "trap and relocate" option is not a solution, it just creates more problems for someone else.

Marco Banks wrote:I would disagree with the premise that to remove a raccoon is to invite a new one into the vacuum.  That depends on your location.  That hasn't been my experience at all.  Over the past 20 years, I've had 4 encounters with the little guys, but once I've trapped them and cleared them out, I'll have years of freedom from them.  I think I've got one out there now, but so far he/she hasn't been a problem.  But it's been years since I last had problems with them, so by trapping and relocating them, I've bought myself years of trouble free existence.

I live in Los Angeles country—close to 5000 square miles—much of it urban and inhabited, with well watered lawns and gardens aplenty.  But raccoons are still rare enough that removing them makes a serious dent in the local population and buying you some peace.

We've got owls and plenty of feral cats moving around at night to take care of any rats.  No need for masked-bandit vandals to deal with rats here.

You may have more coons than you think.  A lot of older coons learn how to avoid trouble and co-exist. Sometimes someone traps a well behaved coon, and then another coon moves in. There was a documentary that was based off studying city coons. They found one per 10 houses! The coons kept eating dog and cat food left out.

Lorinne Anderson wrote:If you have had only four incidents in such a long period of time, I would suggest you are the victim of someone trapping and relocating raccoons TO your area.  Further, that suggests that your area is unsuitable habitat for raccoons and that is why when they find your property they become such an issue.  A prime example of why the "trap and relocate" option is not a solution, it just creates more problems for someone else.

Perhaps this is true in your environment, but in my experience, relocation of raccoons is a very viable and successful solution.  We relocate the raccoons to a location where they do not have to contend with cars, dogs, and humans --- and do not become a problem for others.

Most people just call animal control when they've got a problem raccoon or possum tearing things up.  Animal control will come out for feral cats, coyotes or other animals as well.  But they can take weeks to come out, and when they do, they often don't have the smarts to outwit the raccoons.  They'll leave a box trap for a couple of days, but they don't really know how to get them and will quickly give up.  So if you've got raccoon problems, you're on your own.  Further, because most people aren't growing the kinds of foods that raccoons like (sweet corn), they'll just ignore them and live with them.  Even when the coons harass their pets or get into their garage, they'll just keep the dogs indoors or bolster the door to the shed.  

Your speculation that the raccoons in our neighborhood are as a result of someone else transferring them here is just that, speculation.  Please exercise care in making such statements.  Animals have four legs, and the coyotes, cougars, raccoons and other wildlife that finds their way down the river washes into the Los Angeles basin from the hills that surround us (as well as hawks, owls and other birds of prey) relocate on their own.

I do agree with you that our location is not a suitable habitat for them, so when they come down the watershed and find their way into the neighborhood, they need to be relocated.  Killing them is not an option that I choose to explore.

I think you can trap and remove a raccoon or two that is a particular nuisance successfully. I had a raccoon kill 150 trees in one night because he had learned how to removed guards. I trapped two raccoons and released them in a conservation area about 10 miles away and have not had any further problems. My neighbor was out to shoot them for killing his ducks, so I might have done them a favor. Perhaps other raccoons have taken their place, but none were smart enough to pose a threat to my trees. There are ethical entanglements, perhaps, but in this case I represent the plants and my fence wasn't keeping them out.

It is really hard to get rid of them. We had raccoon problems few months back and we tried to trap them. It escaped, then we had to put an electric fence around our garden. It some how reduced our problems,..

Lorinne Anderson wrote:Twenty years ago I dealt with two farmers, one  spent almost every night, up on the barn roof, laying in wait for marauding raccoons to shoot, 17 in three months.  In less than a week I solved his problem.  The second had a Koi Farm - raccoons, water and fish, can you imagine a more perfect storm??  In a urban environment - shooting was not an option - he had trapped, spray painted their butts, and released 32 raccoons in just four months.  He spray painted them to see if they were coming back, they were not, others were simply identifying the vacant turf and were moving on in.  I solved his issue in under a week.  It is not because I am a 'coon lover' it is because I want a cheap, successful solution to a maddening problem.  Life is too short to spend every night up on the roof, waiting for coons to shoot.

[snipped reminder]

I read through your entire post, looking for the explanation for how you solved these people's raccoon problems.  I did not see how you solved the problem.  It would be helpful if you could explain how you solved their problem with raccoons.

Peter Ellis wrote:I did not see how you solved the problem....

I assumed it was the four paragraphs about depriving them of their food sources.  But more "as applied in that case" details would be interesting to see, I agree.

Raccoons will wipe out a flock.  We left for a weekend. The raccoons found a way in the coop area with fenced in yard and killed 120 chickens, ducks and turkeys in one weekend.  There are plenty of raccoons. Yep they are cute. They will wipe out
chickens and kill more then they can eat. I have caught them in the act in a moveable chicken coop. Two coons had three birds dead. The only reason I found them was that they were trying to stuff one of the dead birds through a hole they had dug under the moveable coop and they couldn't get out past the dead bird.  AT that time, I did not have a gun so I had no choice but to open the coop so the raccoons could run away.  I have solved that problem.....  I trap them and then I kill them.  Yep. I shoot them with a BB gun.  I have larger guns too, but the BB gun is quiet and does the job just fine. None of this transporting and releasing and giving someone else your problem.  At the place we moved to about 7 years ago the people were feeding the darn raccoons.  This did not work well with my chickens. They were reaching through the wire grabbing chicks and eating their legs off or their beaks off while the chick was still alive. I had this happen to some ducks and turkey poults too.  

So I put out traps. I use both leg hold and live traps.  It is a little harder to shoot them when they are in a leg hold trap, but it can be done.  IF they are in my live trap, I can simply shove the barrel of the BB gun in the trap and get them right on top of the head.
Make sure you have a good higher powered BB gun.  If you use a live trap, then you need to stake it down. I have had coons learn to turn the trap over so the live trap would set off and then they could rattle the trap around and get the bait. I used cheap cans of tuna from Walmart.  

When we were having the worst of the coon problem here in OHio, We got three then someone hit one on the road and over the next week six more coons were hit in the same spot. That took care of the problem. Yes, I am rural.

I also think having a good dog is a must. I have a good varmint dog, a Parsons Terrier or a long legged Jack Russel named George. George has killed a mature coon on his own. I was amazed as I had read to many stories about how coons would rip a dog to shreds, even a big dog. George took this coon out and it was about a fifteen pound coon over 32 inches from head to tail.  George also kills ground hogs, rats, mice and moles. He is training a new dog that we adopted from the pound, but
this new dog will never be as good as George.  

I use a lot of moveable chicken tractors. I have had to double fence the wire portions to keep the raccoons from reaching through and killing chicks and chickens. I keep traps on the chicken tractors so if i have a raccoon infestation, I set the traps and
take them out. Usually we get a little peace for a while after we take some of them out.  but really I can't fence 26 acres to keep all the raccoons out of our property. AS lone as they leave the chickens/poultry  alone and leave most of my sweet corn alone, then they can roam the rest of the property.  

And yes, you can have rats and mice and have raccoons.  I mean reall,y if raccoons kept away rats there wouldn't be any rats in the city or on most farms.  I am sure that a raccoon would eat a rat if they could get one but if raccoons could really get rid of rats and mice every farmer would be keeps a pet raccoon or ten to keep the farm free from rats and mice.  There is no logic in that argument.   My varmint dog George is better than a cat for getting rid of rats and mice.

I addressed dealing with raccoons in my previous post:  
There are basically three ways to protect against unwanted raccoons, barrier, deterrent, or removal of attractant.  In your case, removal of the attractant is not an option (although properly securing trash cans would go a long way to eliminating their food source), so I will explain some simple, cost effective, permanent solutions that will keep your garden coon (and deer, rabbit, rat, squirrel....) free.  With raccoons and chickens, barrier methods work best.

Barrier:  most labor intensive, but potentially free. Scout about for old, used, metal roofing to turn into fencing, it is climb proof.  It also has the advantage of being a wind break and creating a bit of a micro climate, along with being maintenance free as it will never rot (especially if you go the extra mile and use metal posts).  The roofing can be painted if color is an issue, or it can be purchased in a multitude of colors - just be sure to install it with the posts facing INTO your garden, so you do not have crop diners climb the posts.  I would also recommend burying the metal roofing fence at least a foot in the ground to deter the diggers (rats, rabbits etc.).  You will also have to trim any overhanging trees that could allow them to circumnavigate the fence.and be mindful of any structures they could climb to get over the fence. This will create a completely secure enclosure, assuming you miss no points of ingress.

Not free, but very effective, is portable is electric mesh fencing, often called rabbit fencing (kencove.com) this is a 3-4 foot high mesh, 150 feet long that can be temporarily or permanently installed (simply attached to push in stakes) and configured in any shape you desire.  It can also be moved from crop to crop as various things come into season before you are ready to harvest.

The deterrents are passive measures that make your garden unattractive for various reasons.  Bird scare tape (2 inch wide holographic mylar tape) works great for flies, birds, and other critters, although coons would be an unknown for me).  There is a product called a ScareCrow that is a motion activated water cannon/sprinkler that some folks swear by ($100 - but others say the critters get used to it to quickly).  There are motion activated sensors that trigger a crazy dog barking, or get a real dog.  Or the oldest standby, urinate on the perimeter of your property/garden regularly.  There are dozens of other 'home remedies' I am sure others can offer more suggestions.

As to the rat patrol, it is the Mama coons who will deal with rats as they will eat her babies while she is out foraging, same as they will try to eat caged birds and livestock through the wire.

HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE!!😀


Raccoons may have a cute and fuzzy look to them, but many people ask, “How to get rid of raccoons?” You have two options here, do-it-yourself or hire professional. Raccoon deterrents/repellents often don’t work the way they should. It’s a waste of time and money. Although, I do have a list of best natural raccoon deterrents below. By all means, give them a try, but I would highly recommend hiring a professional raccoon expert that deals with raccoons on a regular basis and understands the behavior of raccoons. I’ve seen in many cases where inexperienced homeowners will overlook the 👀fact that there might be baby raccoons in the attic😳. Only to find decomposing baby raccoons days later, stuck in the cavity of your walls. Causing more damages, a bad odor, and a possible health risk for you!

Nuisance wildlife, such as skunks, opossums, or other animals can be quite a problem. From firsthand, I know getting rid of raccoons can become a headache and time-consuming. I’ve personally removed way other 1,000+ critters from many properties. Although I’ve never been bitten, due to my skills, it can be dangerous to handle and remove any wildlife. Dealing with raccoons can be both easy and super challenging. It may be scary for some or exciting for others. Know your pros and cons, and the results can be quite satisfying. Here are some best ways to get rid of raccoons without feeling guilty.

Best DIY Methods for Raccoon Removal

Two Top Methods for Guarantee Raccoon Removal.

Trapping Raccoons

Raccoon trapping is a safe and humane method of raccoon control. Know the laws for raccoon trapping and relocation in your state. Use a good 12Hx12Wx32L inch sturdy raccoon trap. Also, some good raccoon trap bait. Once captured, relocate the raccoon. Raccoon trapping is one of the most humane and most common raccoon removal techniques used nationwide by homeowners and professional raccoon removal companies.

Many homeowners want to know how to trap a raccoon. To be successful at getting rid of raccoons in a humane raccoon trap, you’ll want to know the law’s for trapping and removing raccoons yourself. Call your local city animal control shelter. In most states, you cannot trap and remove raccoons without a trapping license from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. In that case, you will have to hire a raccoon removal specialist. That is always the best option for raccoon removal. Do-it-yourself raccoon trapping for an inexperienced person can become challenging.

Raccoon Removal By Hand

To remove raccoons by hand, you would need a Katch-all-pole (snare pole).  Like the one, I’m holding in the picture to the left. Also, a 20Lx11Wx12H inch sturdy raccoon transfer cage and the strength to put the raccoon in the trap. Then, relocate the raccoon. This takes some bravery and skill. I know from experience that snaring a raccoon can become quite challenging. Things can get intense, especially when dealing with a female raccoon with babies. I would recommend an expert for this method of raccoon removal and control.

Best DIY Natural Raccoon Deterrents

Eliminate Attraction - Raccoon Deterrent

Eliminate what’s Attracting Raccoons
Grubs/Insects. Your lawn or garden carry plenty of large insects which raccoons love. Their main attraction is the Grubs, high in protein and juicy.

Loose Garbage/Yard Clutter. Secure your garbage, using a bungee over the lid. Raccoons love hoarders and yard clutter.

Pet food/Birdfeeder. Stop feeding your pets outside or bring your pets food dish in at night.

Rats/Rodents. Get rid of the smaller rodents like Rats, Mice, and Squirrels. Trapping and removal of smaller critter should reduce your raccoon problem.

The Sound of Running Water/Water source. Raccoons have great hearing, so set your waterfalls or fountains on timers. Set them to turn off at night. If the raccoons are getting into your pool, get a pool cover. If none of that works. Set a trap and remove the raccoons that way.

Scare Tactics - Raccoon Deterrent

Use automated sensors depending on the resources you have. Flood Lights or sprinkler systems will work great. Set these sensors in open areas or problematic areas. Use the correct settings to be more efficient. Place the sensors to trigger at night. Monitor the raccoon activity to adjust the sensors and location. This method is often used to deter most wildlife in the yard. Most often gets them wet or frighten them when activated. It’s also quite funny to watch. In some cases, you might forget the sensors are on, and you or a family member might get soaked. Just sit back and enjoy the show.

Ammonia Rags - Raccoon Deterrent

Find some rags and soak them in ammonia. Locate all entry ways and place the rags there. Also, place rags in the cavities where the raccoons will be able to smell it. You can also spray ammonia in areas, like the attic or crawlspace. The raccoon will leave after they have detected the ammonia in the area. If raccoons don’t leave, apply more! You can find a significant amount of ammonia in urine, which raccoons find offensive. Raccoons do not like to nest where they smell ammonia. Getting rid of raccoons with ammonia may work for you, especially if you have raccoons in your attic or crawlspace. Ammonia, another hit or miss method.

Predator Urine - Raccoon Deterrent

A scent of a larger predatory animal will deter the animal from the area. You can put this in areas most affected by the raccoons. This will fool them into thinking there is a larger animal in the area. Larger animals that hunt and eat these animals. Therefore, these smaller animals fear the smell or scent of a predator. You can buy these scents from a sporting good store for hunting purposes or Amazon. Maintain consistency by using different types of urine to ensure you have the best results. Although this form of deterrent may be used to keep raccoons away, there is also the risk of attracting other unwanted larger canines.

Cayenne Pepper - Raccoon Deterrent

Apply it where the raccoons are most active on your property. This could be in your backyard or attic. That area is where you would apply cayenne pepper. I can imagine you out there right now, shaking cayenne pepper all over your yard or attic to deter raccoons. Looking like Gordon Ramsay LOL!… This is probably one of the first methods people try when getting rid of raccoons. It’s cheap and they probably already have cayenne pepper in their kitchen. But like any other raccoon deterrents, it’s a hit or miss method.

Raccoon Eviction Liquid - Raccoon Deterrent

Raccoon eviction liquid can help you get rid of nesting female raccoons with baby raccoons. Raccoon Eviction Liquid is a natural byproduct of male raccoons, a predator to female raccoons during the birthing period. When placed in a den area, the female senses that a danger to her young is nearby. Raccoon eviction liquid works best between February-August. When eviction techniques are used, do not expect the raccoon to leave until well after dark. Apply the male raccoon scented pheromone in the space where raccoons are nesting.This is the best humane raccoon methods and techniques for eviction of female removal. Note: Raccoons may relocate themselves to nearby homes.

For More Info http://www.raccoonremovalguide.com/howtogetridofraccoons/

Funny you should mention lawn grubs.  Late last night, I saw a raccoon digging in a lawn.  Obviously after grubs.  

Whenever possible, I like deterring pests rather than eliminating them, but it's not always possible on a farm.

One of the biggest problems we have locally is city raccoons being brought into the country.  The raccoons that are country raised, seem very good at catching rats, but the ones from the city seem to prefer garbage and livestock.  These are the hardest ones for me as they already know about live traps and don't like to go in them.  What I have to do is put old eggs or other bait in a duck nesting house for about a week, each night the raccoon takes the eggs, then I put a live trap hidden inside the duck house with the bait inside it.  This seems to work, but during that week when they are becoming used to the bait, there is a strong risk of them getting at the animals.  If they are country raised, I usually just leave them alone as they are great for rat control, but those darn city transplants... sigh.

The big problem here is there is nowhere on the island to take the live trap raccoons that wouldn't make them a problem for someone else.  The local laws don't allow us to kill them gently.  We are only allowed to drown them.  

IS THE USE OF PREDATOR URINE OR LIVE TRAPPING AND RELOCATION REALLY HUMANE?

THE USE OF LIVE TRAPPING/RELOCATION MAY NOT BE AS HUMANE AS YOU THOUGHT...

The idea of live trapping and releasing makes us feel good because we didn't have to kill it, and we convince ourselves it is in the animals best interest ("ooooh that looks like just the place I would like if I were a raccoon...") without taking into consideration what the animal being relocated actually needs.  When dealing specifically with raccoons, on first thought taking an urban raccoon to the nearest National Park (forested area, rural neighborhood...) sounds like you are sending it to Nirvana...trees, forest, lakes, mountains, natural foods like berries, rodents, birds, shellfish, oh what a lucky raccoon!!  But this is an urban raccoon, one who has multi-generations of evolving specifically to succeed in an urban environment with humans, dogs, cars, and dumpsters.  Tracking studies done in Toronto showed the urban raccoons avoided the city parks with their trees and ponds like the plague, and stuck to the human residences, backyards, back alleys, dumpsters and garbage cans, commonly in territories as small as just two blocks.  They are one of the most successful animals at adapting to urban living, actually doing better, getting larger, living longer, and more successfully in the cities than in the wilderness.  These are adapted animals, these are not "wild raccoons" in the normal sense, these are urban wildlife and have evolved and are equipped to deal with an urban environment.  Not many urban humans do well "living off the land", nor do urban wildlife "naturally" adapt instantly to living in the wilderness.


Many folks erroneously feel trapping and relocating problem animals is both humane and kind.  It is often neither, and most often a death sentence as you are placing the animal in unfamiliar territory that is most likely unsuitable or already "owned" by one of the same species that is being deposited there.  Whether bear, cougar or raccoon, if the territory is occupied, this newly arrived animal must now fight to kill or drive out the resident animal, or be killed or driven out themselves.  Even then, this newly arrived animal has no shelter, no known food sources, no known water sources, and no awareness of predator or other dangers.  I equate it to someone taking you and dropping you off in Siberia - yes, it is still earth, but you do not know the local customs, rules, laws, territories, food sources, danger sources, or have shelter from the weather....and that is assuming you are not taking a youngster who is still learning or a mother who has infants or juveniles dependent on her.  I have to ask the question, does this really sound humane?


Further, one has to consider the possibility of disease transmission...rabies did not used to be endemic on the east coast, it moved north and into Canada when a bunch of New York State hunters felt there was a deficit in coons to hunt and relocated a several dozen from the southern states, including some that carried the virus, and released them in New York State.  Now, do not think I am suggesting this horrific outcome is common with relocations, but it should be considered and that is why, now, in most places relocation must be within a very small area (often under a mile or kilometer - check your local regs), or it is illegal.  

As most jurisdictions have regulations on how far a live trapped animal can be moved, understand that just because you paid someone to live trap it DOES NOT mean it will be treated humanely, kept alive or even released.  It is more common, than not, that due to regulations restricting relocation that the animal you just paid someone $250 to "live trap" and remove is either immediately released right down the street or killed outright.

If you are going to personally engage in live trapping and relocation, think it all the way through.  Take into consideration the time of year, the age of the animal, and availability of as similar a habitat as it came from to release it into to ensure as humane a relocation as possible.  Make sure you know the answer to the following questions:  How are you going to move the trap with the animal in it (I doubt you want it on the back seat of your car).  How often are you going to be able to check the trap (is it not humane or, in most locales, legal, to leave it trapped in the freezing weather or baking sun for hours let alone days).  How are you going to get the animal out of the trap?  If you are able to humanely meet the previous questions and successfully live trap an animal, please ALWAYS CHECK TO SEE IF IT IS NURSING, if so, please release it, no matter how humane you treat the Mum, how humane is it to leave helpless babies behind?

Yes, there is a time and a place for live trapping, just be sure you fully understand all that is involved, and be sure you can truly do it in a humane way.


LIVE TRAPPING IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT OR WHEN BABIES (KITS) ARE KNOWN OR SUSPECTED

For those in urban environments, who discover a coon in their attic, shed, crawlspace, etc., especially in the spring and early summer, you must assume it is a Mum with kits.  Please consider being patient, she will move the babies when they reach 8-10 weeks old, then you can secure the nursery den so she does not utilize it the following year.  If there is no option but to remove the Mum and her kits, Live Traps should only ever be used when no rain is expected and temperatures will be moderate.  Cover the trap and place in a cool, shaded, ventilated location, then retrieve the babies.  Do this as close to dark as possible as she will not be comfortable moving her kits in daylight.  Use the live trap to secure the Mum or Adults, but not the young (use a cat crate or ventilated tote, with blankets for warmth) and only for a very short period while soffits, vents, crawlspaces etc. are sturdily repaired and then release the animal(s) on site.  The Mum always has an alternate or back up den nearby, in case of emergency, and this allows her to remain within her territory, with full knowledge of the location of food, water and an awareness of where predators or dangers exist while solving the homeowners problem of sharing their home with a raccoon.



THE USE OF PREDATOR URINE MAY NOT BE AS HUMANE AS YOU THOUGHT...

"Predator Urine" may be effective, but if we are looking at dealing with problem animals in a humane manner, we must question HOW was this product is obtained? This is an ethical question, and I can't honestly say I know this for sure, but I would assume this involves the keeping the keeping of a large number of specific predator species in very tiny cages where they are either catheterized or some other form of urine collection occurs.

I do know, and have seen video footage of:

1)  the harvesting of Pregnant Mare Urine for use in the pharmaceutical industry to create "medication" used by women with hormonal issues (Premarin = PREgnant MARes’ urINe - 750,000 mares impregnated annually for the sole purpose of collecting their estrogen-rich urine; tied in small stalls, unable to move in any direction or lie down comfortably, water intake is highly restricted to concentrate the urine, with collection bags strapped to their groins for months on end.

and

2) bears who are tapped for their bile (their gallbladders are catheterized and they are kept confined in tiny cages for life and milked of their bile) to fulfill the market that believes bear bile or gallbladders offers men an extra "boost" in the bedroom.

I cannot conceive that there are enough unwanted predator animals that are trapped or killed and then milked of urine to supply this market in any sort of a cost effective manner.  I can only assume it involves the "farming" of predator species for the purpose of confining them and collecting their urine as is done to the pregnant mares.  I simply cannot see how the collection of this product could actually be done in a humane fashion. To me, regardless of whether the actual use of the product itself is humane, if HOW it is obtained is not humane then I question how using something obtained in an inhumane fashion can be considered humane.

RACCOON FENCING MUST BE ELECTRIFIED OR METAL TO BE EFFECTIVE:
Keep in mind, raccoons climb trees, dig very well, shimmy up metal downspouts and lamp posts.  Fencing is a great option, but it cannot be wood,  and if mesh or chainlink it must be electrified.  Neither wood nor wire  fencing alone will keep out raccoons, squirrel, mink, etc., but used (or new if money is no object) metal roofing is critter proof, especially if buried down a foot or two.  Always watch to make sure there is no "alternative route" around your fencing (posts to climb, over hanging trees, buildings that butt up to fence, vehicles, boxes, "stuff" kept near fence) that may be acting as a bridge over your well fortified defenses.

SAFE USE OF AMMONIA TO DETER RACCOONS:
In open areas this is generally ineffective as the fumes will simply dissipate, leaving a cotton ball that is anything but cotton floating around to be eaten by animals (chickens, cats, dogs, etc.), or used as nesting material.  In a closed environment this can be effective, but it is also deadly to young who do not have the ability to remove themselves from the permanently lung damaging fumes.  THE USE OF AMMONIA SHOULD ONLY, EVER, BE USED TO DETER CURRENTLY VACANT AREAS FROM BECOMING nesting areas.  Please understand, this is not considered a safe or a humane way to "get rid of" raccoons (squirrels etc.) currently in residence or using a densite, but a strictly preventative action that can, if closely monitored and maintained, keep them out of areas they have used historically for denning.

Ideally, nest or den sites should be properly secured after baby season so that access is not available the following year (seal attic, fix roof, close crawlspace, secure shed...).   Ideally, once the young have departed in early July (stuff lossely crumpled newspaper in each entry point, if undisturbed for three days, and all entries have been monitored, it is safe to assume site is no longer in use), do the necessary repairs.  If in fact this is not possible (in a barn, dirt crawl space) and you are seeking to make a previously used nest or den site undesireable, then the use of ammonia soaked rags, contained in a lidded, waterproof container that has perforations at the top (I use an old ice cream pail with holes drilled in the lid, filled with old toweling) can be useful, but, it can only be deployed BEFORE the site is occupied, and must be recharged weekly, with fresh ammonia, all year long.  


The old school use of urine to "mark territory" is likely effective because of the high ammonia levels in our urine.  So by all means, save your "night water" and use it around the areas you want to exclude animal activity, it is free, safe and a naturally occuring, renewable resource that can be deployed on a daily basis.

Hi Lily, you could try making a deterrent spray by bringing some water to a boil, then adding yellow onions, jalapeno poppers along with some cayenne pepper. Once the water has cooled down, transfer it into a spray bottle. (Note) It might be a good idea to put on goggles and a mask before spraying it around your garden. There is a youtube video on how to do this here

(note) Credit for this info goes to http://howzak.com/ethical-raccoon-removal-tricks/.

trap, kill, eat. coons are good to eat. better than chicken.

I used to do the protection thing, and although I do now have a couple of really great chicken coops that are darn near impervious, I weighed the time and effort that I've spent "protecting" against coons instead of  just killing the little buggers. Since that realization, I've started killing them if they become a problem.  Much less effort involved and less worry.  Whenever they start trying to access chickens and feed, the traps come out followed by swift death.  (baited live trap, 22 rifle) Much longer "peace" time between instances.  I believe their first instincts is to forage naturally, but sometimes they get lazy and start trying to access non-natural food sources.  I hope this doesn't sound too harsh.  But I love eggs, I do not love fried raccoon.  


In most of the U.S., we've created an environment that artificially benefits raccoons.  There are more numerous because we've eliminated many of their predators, few that there were.  Raccoon reproduction will outpace food supply many times.  I don't see anything wrong with becoming the predator.  (By the way, they make wonderful fertilizer)

We have been using electrified fencing from Premier 1 to keep all manner of predators and strays out of our yard.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=premeier+1+fence&pc=MOZI&form=MOZSBR

the folks at Premier 1 live and breathe their supplies. they use them everyday in their own places.
They have awesome customer servcie, and great warranty.

I was going to buy their more expensive "more permanent" fence which is 48" tall. The person said I could
save money by getting the Poultry Net Plus, which has turned out to be a great solution for us.

We bought an energizer which can be plugged into wall outlet or can use a solar panel.

The only time it has been breached --by an opossum-- was because i inadvertently left one area
a few inches above the ground.

This fence has kept fox, groundhog, racoon, stray dogs and others out of our yard. and protected our animals and garden.

The Poultry Net Plus has step-in stakes every 6.5 feet and makes an easy way to protect our outdoor space.

The fence is green, instead of white. and ought to last about ten years.

Kencove's fence, on teh other hand, becomes brittle and breaks into pieces within just three to four years.

The Kencove step in stakes are not nearly as strong as teh Premier stakes!

hope this helps someone.

For those folks who may desire a way to euthanize the predator. or even one of their farm animals,

educate yourself about Nitrogen Asphyxiation.

which for some of us may be easier than a gun  or other method of deliverance.

this is also a method some humans use for their final exit.

you can purchase full nitrogen tanks through cyeberweld or other places


https://www.bing.com/search?q=cyberweld+nitrogen+tank&pc=MOZI&form=MOZSBR

Educate yourself.
videos to learn about euthanizing small animals with Nitrogen Asphyxiation.

sites
https://www.bing.com/search?q=euthanizing+small+animals+nitrogen+asphyxiation&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&pq=undefined&sc=0-29&sk=&cvid=01FD36B60E544E8EA751E1B5A79D500C

videos
you may need to do more researcg on this.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=euthanizing+small+animals+nitrogen+asphyxiation&FORM=HDRSC3

Here is a little list of some DIY raccoon removal solutions.
Hopefully, this will save someone some money instead of spending $100,000,000,00 on a removal service

1. Step one is to ensure that all areas around your home are clean and garbage free. This will include bringing any cat or dog food inside your home at night. Make sure to check under bushes and trees for berries and fallen fruit. Raccoons LOVE fruits & berries and will always come back unless an area is totally clean from them.

2. Use latching garbage can lids that can be closed giving the raccoons no points of entry. If you cannot find a suitable trash can, consider building an enclosed shed for it. Garbage can storage sheds are a good way of hiding your garbage from animals and keep your yard looking tidy.

3. Another way of keeping your garbage can secure is to place a heavy weight, bricks or rocks on the lid when garbage is in the can.

4. Raccoons have a very good sense of smell so frequently washing out your garbage cans with a good cleaner is always a good idea for keeping the smells down.  Also, be sure to tip any unused cans upside down to ensure they do not collect water for raccoons to drink.

5. Always place lids back on your garbage cans immediately after inserting the trash. Raccoons and other neighborhood pests might decide to invite themselves over for dinner...

6. Another method for keeping raccoons away from garbage cans is to sprinkle one cup of ammonia solution around the inside of each trash can along with some cayenne pepper powder.

7. Make sure that any picnic tables or other outdoor eating locations around your home are clean from any leftover food before you retire for the night. Even the smallest bit of food on the ground could tempt a raccoon to investigate.

8. If possible, store trash cans indoors if you are going away for any long period of time.

9. If you have meat or very tempting food in your trash, always double the plastic bags and try putting a little bleach or strong cleaner on the outside of the bags before depositing it in the can.

10. If a raccoon is raiding your fish pond, try placing some PVC tubes at least 2 ft in length in your pond. This gives the fish a safe place to hide from raccoons and other wildlife around your neighborhood.

11. To prevent raccoons from climbing your fruit trees, wrap a two-foot-wide sheet metal around the trunk of the tree about two feet above the ground and trim any branches that are providing other access, such as from rooftops or fences.

( Note that this info has come from howzak.com's DIY Raccoon Removal

Sounds like we need some coon psycholgists.

Trapped raccoons can be extremley nasty. And they are surprisingly much larger than most people imagine when you're up close and personal with one thats in a live cage trap. We had our koi pond decimated by a single raccoon over a the span of a few nights. Instead of dealing with all the hassle of trapping and relocating it, we decided to go with a deterrent.  Also we read that many raccoons are actually killed by other raccoons when relocated since they are so territorial. What ended up working for us was using a gator decoy: https://www.gardenandpatiohomeguide.com/the-complete-alligator-decoy-guide/ We put it in the pond and with the movement of the water from the pump it makes it looks like its moving around on its own. We got one with eyes that light up and "glow," so that the racoons would be sure to see it at night. No more missing or half-eaten fish since. We got the idea from a family friend who had used a fake gator to stop coons from actually using his pool as a toilet.    

I love the fake alligator decoy! Just curious, do you live where there are naturally occuring gators? No gators live here, and I wonder if our coons here would recognize it as a threat...

Haha nope, thankfully no real gators here in the Northeast. It must be natural instinct that they are afraid since it works for the geese and ducks around here too. Im assuming they've never seen gators either but they migrate in the winter so maybe they have. We actually have a woodchuck that lives under our neighbor's shed and comes into our yard sometimes and he no longer drinks from the pond anymore as well. The squirrels however, seem to be oblivious.  

Last winter I had an invasion of six raccoon on my deck.    Not wanting to kill them, I tried Live traps.   Caught the neighbors cat instead .    After a week of food in trap gone but no raccoon in the trap I left them a peace offering.  I took mini marsh mellows rolled them in dry raspberry jello mix.   Made them a heaping plate full! And put them out on my deck.   Haven't seen evidence or seen a raccoon on my deck since! I probably should mention that I poked a small hole in the mini marsh mellows and inserted Bhut Jolokia and Trinidad Scorpion seeds in them before rolling them in the raspberry jello mix.   Raspberry jello mix masked the smell of the pepper seeds so they didn't smell them.   The next morning about half the marsh mellows were gone.  They never came back for the rest!  

2 years ago my beautiful garden was invaded by 6 nasty, horrible raccoons that tore my yard up again and again and again. They easily climb over my 6' chain link fence. They didn't want my pretty plants or awesome vegies, to them they were just collateral damage!  They were just after grubs! I finally managed to catch 3 of them and relocate them. But moving these viscous animals is not at all easy! In fact, it's awful.  The other 3 disappeared and my world was at peace again.  

Until just 2 months ago when they showed up again! I'm just guessing that it is the same 3 because they enter my yard in the same 2 places and exit my yard in the very same places. But I really don't want to catch them this time and relocate them. That was such a horrible and scary experience. I want to keep them out! So I set up a portable motion detector that I mounted on a 2x6 piece of wood with flood lights which I also wired a receptacle to. Then I plugged an old radio into it playing loud heavy metal music and placed it on the ground at one entrance. I don't think they care about the lights at all but the radio right in front of them sure spooked them. I set up my 'Yard Enforcer' which is also a motion detector that operates my hose and sprays them with water. Set that at the other entrance. It has been working so far for 2 months now, keeping them at bay. I know they are still trying to enter almost every night because I placed lots of short pieces of chicken wire on the top of the fence and I can see the parts that are all bent over the next day where they tried to get in. And a couple of nights I couldn't use them because of the wind and rain and they assaulted my garden again. But winter is fast approaching. The wind has picked up a lot which constantly sets off both motion detectors. And it went to near freezing yesterday so I won't be able to use my hose much longer.

So out of desperation, trying to find a new solution I typed 'raccoons' into the Permies search box and began reading dozens and dozens and dozens of threads that mentioned raccoons. No luck. Until I found this one! This is the best thread ever!!! I found a couple of new things to try. And I had a few really good chuckles! It has lightened my mood enormously. Didn't know that coon tasted good. Have to admit I'm not going to try it. But I am once again hopeful. Thank you everyone!