Raccoons are clever, quirky animals that are fun to watch from a distance, but they’re not creatures you’d want to share space with.
Raccoons rummage through garbage, trash lawns and gardens, damage your home’s building materials, consume birdseed and pet food, and even carry diseases that can be dangerous to you and your pets.
With that in mind, it’s easy to see why people facing a raccoon problem are so eager to get rid of raccoons. You can also call an expert for raccoon control.
In this post, we share our top tip on how to get rid of raccoons once and for all.
Let’s dive in.
Getting Rid of Raccoons
Recognizing Raccoon Problems
Raccoons are nocturnal; that is, they are only active at night. As a result, their presence can be challenging to tell.
Here are list of things to keep in mind:
Raccoon Feeding Tips. Raccoons are chaotic, voracious eaters and leave a trail after eating. Common signs of raccoon feeding include overturned garbage cans, damage to your lawn or garden, empty, spilled, or moving pet bowls, disturbed compost piles, and empty or broken bird feeders.
Tracks. Raccoon and possum tracks are similar. Raccoons, like humans, walk flat-footed and have claws on all of their toes. The differene is that raccoon tracks move in a diagonal path pattern like deer do. Their footprints have a longer heel on the back leg and are 23 inches wide on the front legs and 34 inches long on the rear legs.
Stool. Raccoon droppings are cylindrical with broken or rounded ends. They are usually dark in color, although the color will vary depending on the animal’s diet. The droppings generally contain berry seeds and may show signs of litter.
Strange noises. At night, you may notice strange noises around your property. Raccoons make noises like meows, hisses, and growls.
Regardless of the raccoon signs you observe, it is important to address the problem immediately. Raccoons can be very harmful, and waiting too long to correct the problem will only worsen the infestation.
How to Get Rid of Raccoons Humanly and Naturally
Raccoons in the Garden
When it comes to gettig raccoon, we always advocate for human removal rather than deadly methods. If you have a problem with raccoons, here are some steps you can take to manage the raccoon population on your property:
In the attic
If you encounter a raccoon in the attic, it is likely a female with babies. Females looking for nesting sites will knock down boards, vents, and more to find a safe place.
In order to get rid of a them in the attic, do the following:
Install live raccoons to catch and remove any raccoons that are present. If you want to do this, first contact your local fish and wildlife department. They will provide you with traps and help you move the raccoons safely.
Seal all gaps and openings in your attic, including vents and gaskets. Use a galvanized wire mesh to seal these gaps.
Remove all sources of food, water, and garbage that raccoons may use.
Under the house or terrace
Once again, a raccoon that lives under the house or terrace is usually a mother with babies. Female raccoons generally have babies between January and June, so care must be taken to remove the raccoons without leaving the babies orphaned.
Here are some tips:
Use live traps to catch them and remove the raccoon and the babies from it.
When the raccoons are gone, clean the nest under the house or deck. Remove all bedding.
Invest in professional treatment for worms. We recommend participating in an annual lawn worm treatment program for best results, which prevents worms from returning each summer and keeps your property raccoon-free. Contact us for more information about this service.
Use home remedies such as ammonia, vinegar, crushed garlic, cayenne pepper powder, blood meal, or dirty kitty litter. Sprinkle the natural raccoon deterrent in high traffic areas to make the space less attractive to raccoons.
Use motion-activated light or sound deterrents. These deterrents detect movement and make loud noises or bright flashes of light to keep raccoons out of your lawn and garden.