Raccoons are highly adaptable creatures that thrive in urban and suburban environments, often drawn to residential properties in their search for food and shelter. Their nocturnal foraging habits frequently lead to scattered refuse, damaged gardens, and intrusion into homes. These mammals can also pose a health concern, carrying diseases like rabies and parasitic roundworms found in their feces. Managing their presence requires eliminating incentives, employing active deterrents, and securing the physical integrity of structures on your property.
Eliminating Food and Water Attractants
Removing accessible food and water sources eliminates the primary reason raccoons visit a property. Raccoons use their dexterity to access unsecured garbage containers. Trash cans should be secured using robust features like screw-on lids, bungee cords, or latching mechanisms to prevent them from being opened or tipped over. Storing garbage containers in a secured garage or shed until collection day is the most effective solution for preventing nighttime scavenging.
Outdoor pet bowls containing food or water should be brought inside before sunset. Compost piles must be managed carefully, ensuring they only contain vegetable and plant matter; including meat, dairy, or oils produces odors that strongly attract scavengers. Homeowners should regularly remove fallen fruit from trees and vegetable gardens, which provides an easy meal for foraging animals. Bird feeders also attract raccoons, as they consume the seed directly or forage for spilled seed on the ground. Temporary removal of feeders is a prudent measure until the activity subsides.
Active Sensory Deterrents
Sensory discomfort exploits the raccoon’s nocturnal nature. Motion-activated lights are a common strategy, as a sudden burst of bright illumination temporarily startles the animal. LED spotlights with a high lumen count, often exceeding 2,700, are effective because the unexpected light disorients the raccoon and disrupts its sense of security. However, raccoons are intelligent and may eventually habituate to repeated light exposure if it is not paired with other deterrents.
Hydro-deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers, utilize a sudden jet of water to startle and repel the animals. The combination of unexpected movement, noise, and water provides an immediate and unpleasant experience that encourages the raccoon to leave quickly. These devices are useful for protecting specific areas like gardens or the perimeter of a deck.
Scent-based repellents can provide a temporary layer of protection by exploiting the raccoon’s sensitive sense of smell, though they require frequent reapplication to remain effective. Household ammonia or commercial products containing capsaicin can be used to make an area uninviting. Capsaicin irritates the raccoon’s nasal passages and taste receptors, discouraging them from lingering or attempting to feed in treated locations. However, the efficacy of these methods is often limited, as raccoons are motivated by food and shelter and may eventually ignore the smell, especially in persistent urban populations.
Physical Exclusion and Securing Structures
Long-term resolution involves securing structures to prevent raccoons from establishing dens inside the property. Raccoons often seek shelter in attics, chimneys, and under porches, requiring a thorough inspection of the exterior to identify potential entry points. Openings such as uncapped chimneys, loose roof shingles, dilapidated vents, or gaps around the foundation that are four inches or wider must be sealed. Entry points should be reinforced with heavy-gauge galvanized wire mesh, which raccoons cannot easily chew through.
When securing the space beneath a deck or porch, the mesh should be buried in an L-shaped trench around the perimeter, extending at least two feet out and then two feet down, to prevent digging. Before sealing any active entry point, confirm the animal has left the structure, perhaps by installing a specialized one-way door or monitoring activity. Sealing an entry with a female raccoon and her young inside must be avoided, as the trapped mother will cause extensive damage trying to re-enter, or the young will perish.