Tips to Keep Raccoons out of Your Yard
Raccoons are nocturnal meaning they are most active during nighttime although they can be spotted during day time, these little critters are agile and very intelligent. Their natural habitat includes ponds, wooden areas near streams, mashes, and dense clumps of cattail, but can also be found around agricultural areas making their dens in rock crevices, tree cavities, brush piles, abandoned fox burrows or woodchuck, sheds, haystacks, attics, underneath porches and chimneys.
Raccoons invade our yards and garden areas searching for food, shelter, water, and a place to raise their young, they can destroy vegetable gardens in no time along with causing great damage to especially newly installed lawns digging for grubs and worms. Raccoons can also destroy beautifully designed flower beds unearthing plants in their search for grubs.
Because raccoons are omnivores they can also be a nuisance by the removal of trash from your trash cans looking for edible plant and meat scrapes. If you are having issues with raccoons then continue reading as we discuss how to keep raccoons out of your yard and garden
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Ways to Keep Raccoons Out of Your Yard and Garden
1. Scarecrows: Scarecrows have been used since that time to keep birds at bay and they will do the same to raccoons for a while but because these creatures are so smart they will soon discover that a scarecrow is no threat.
2. Eliminate Food Sources: Eliminating food sources is a great way to discourage the presence of raccoons, one way to accomplish this is to secure your trash cans. Raccoons will knock over your trash cans in search of food. Ensure that your trash can is well secured with tight lids if possible place heavy cinder blocks on top of the trash can lid or try securing your trash can in your shed or garage. Because raccoons have a good sense of smell place meat scrapes in a plastic bag and properly seal it.
3. Eliminating Water Sources: Because raccoons are in search of water it’s important to get rid of or secure all water sources, walk your yard and look for water holes or places where water collects and properly seal or cover with dirt. Empty and remove containers that collect water or turn them over.
Water features such as fish ponds, swimming pools, birdbaths, and other water features should be properly covered with a durable material if only during the night hours when raccoons are most active.
4. Pepper Spray: The use of pepper spray is a great way to keep raccoons at bay, mix together a solution of boiling water and hot sauce or fresh pepper. Let this mixture cool then place it in a spray bottle and apply the solution to the premier of your yard and around trees and garden areas.
5. Ammonia: Raccoons hate the scent of ammonia, soak a few pieces of rags in ammonia and place rags in areas where raccoons are spotted or where you suspect they are most active.
6. Raccoon Repellent Devices: There are many devices that have been constructed to keep raccoons at bay, these solar-powered devices have motion detectors that activate a supersonic sound wave that keeps raccoons away. For more on these raccoons, Repelling devices View and Buy on Amazon.
7. Bright Lights and Motion Detectors: Because raccoons are most active during the night hours searching for food install motion-sensor flood lights. Raccoons hate bright light and will try to avoid these lights at all cause. Ensure when placing these lights they shine over your garden and your yard, for more on Bright lights and Motion Detectors View Now and Buy on Amazon.
8. Use Loud Noises: It is recommended to leave a radio on in your yard or garden area turn up the sound loud enough not to disturb the neighbors but loud enough to keep raccoons at bay because raccoons hate loud noises.
9. Secure Bird Feeders: If you have bird feeders secure them or hang them in a way that makes it impossible for raccoons to reach them.
10. The Use of Barriers: Fences, nets, and other barriers can keep raccoons out of your yard or gardens so consider using them.
11. Trapping Raccoons: Setting traps for raccoons is another way to remove them from your yard, however, it’s prohibited to kill them once they are caught take them back into the wild, and release them. Be very careful when releasing them because raccoons may attack you out of fear of feeling threatened.
12. Call the Professional: If you’re not sure the best thing to do is to call in the professionals to assist with the removal of raccoons from your yard.
Signs that Raccoons Have Invaded Your Yard
Here are some signs to look for if you suspect raccoons are in your yard or garden.
- Scratches on your trees
- Signs of trash cans that are turned over or trash on the ground around trash cans
- Distinct five-toe paw tracks
- Scratches on your fence
- Fecal droppings because of feeding or urine
- Nesting material
- Scratching or scurrying noises
The final word on how to keep raccoons out of your yard
The presence of raccoons is a sure sign that your yard has something that interests them, following this guide will help to bring raccoon control. You ought not to fear them nor should you allow them to be a nuisance to your life. If you have a raccoon issue then look no further you have come to the right place that will guide you on complete raccoon control.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.