Even though they may sometimes look cute and cuddly, getting rid of raccoons is something you may want to know about if you have them. They can make a mess of your yard, porch and gardens and they also carry rabies which makes them dangerous to be around for your pets and children.
Getting rid of raccoons
The biggest attractions for raccoons are trash cans and pet dishes. Make sure that you do not leave food in your pet’s dishes at night. Whatever they don’t eat, either store in an airtight container, or throw away. Make sure you have trash cans with tight fitting lids and keep your garbage in bags as well. Having heavy blocks on the lids of your trash cans keeps them from being able to knock the lids off to get to the food.
There are odor control trash bags now, which can also help eliminate odors that would draw them to the trash cans in the first place. Things like cayenne pepper sprinkled where raccoons are digging, and special sprays made to deter them are good methods of getting rid of raccoons. They hate the smell of ammonia, so putting bowls of it around where they are frequenting and they will leave.
Getting Rid of Raccoons in your Attics
Raccoons can and will get into your attics if you have ways for them to get in. Repair any broken screens or windows or shingles on your roof that they can gain access to your home. If they do get into your attic, you will need to draw them out and then repair their access spots. If you leave one access point open you can watch for them to leave and then seal it off but make sure that there are no babies in the attic.
If you do have a raccoon with a litter in your home, you will need to make sure they are all able to get out before you seal the opening, so you may have to wait awhile. You don’t want to seal them all in, or seal the mother out away from her babies, so be patient. Once they leave, you can seal their access and prevent them from re-entering your home.
Raccoons love fruit, so if you have fruit trees, make sure that any fallen fruit is cleaned up which will reduce the likelihood of them being drawn to the area. Doing this also has the added benefit of keeping bugs away as well since many bugs are drawn to rotting fruit. Getting rid of raccoons is important, if you let them continue to invade your home soon you may be overrun with raccoons everyone!
Catch and Release Trap
If you decide to go with a raccoon catch and release trap like the one below Plumbers Surplus sells a good one.
