Raccoons are very challenging to get rid of. They are highly intelligent wild mammals that can climb almost any surface. Due to their exceptional problem-solving abilities, DIY home remedies to deter them prove ineffective.
They have their reasons for visiting a home. These are food, water, and shelter. If you somehow manage to keep those things away from the access of raccoons, they will no longer be interested in roaming in your home.
But how can we do so, and what attracts them? What if there is a raccoon in the backyard at night? Is there any permanent solution for day and night? This guide will teach you ways to prevent raccoon infestation.
Clear Possible Shelters
They are nocturnal beings. This means they wake up at night and sleep during the day. So, if your yard is quiet, calm, and warm, they will likely inhabit it. Woodpiles, clutter, and overgrown bushes are among those places.
Make sure to trim the bushes and clean woodpiles. Besides the yard, they can also climb up to the roof and crawl spaces.
Close small holes, cracks, and possible entrances. They can pass through 4 inches-wide holes. Do not leave any possible shelter behind for raccoons.
Keep Your Yard Clean
As I said earlier, the yard can provide space for raccoons. Regularly clean your yard and clear possible shelters. This will also help you to identify holes, cracks, scratch marks, and bite marks to identify raccoon infestation.
Trim bushes regularly to clean hiding spaces. If your garden has fruits and vegetables, remove the fallen fruits. Clean birdbaths and birdfeeders and take pet food inside. These things attract raccoons in the yard.
Use Repellents
Several things can effectively deter raccoons, including sounds, smells, and predators. Their natural predators include great horned owls, cougars, aggressive dogs, large eagles, bobcats, coyotes, and foxes.
If you have any of them as pets, they will work as a guard against raccoons. For smell repellents, use peppermint oil, coffee grounds, predators’ urine, garlic, hot pepper, onions, and vinegar over their possible shelters.
Invest in Fencing
Raccoons can climb almost any surface except glass. If you want to rely on a normal fence, make sure to choose a fence at least 3 feet in height.
However, an electric fence is the best option. This method is highly effective and proven to make your yard raccoon-free. Use current, which is enough to deter them, not to kill or severely hurt them.
For further help, a pest control agency will help you build a good fence to stop them from climbing. You must also put the fence deep enough so they can dig up the soil to find entrances. The same is true for opossums.
Remove Food Source
Finding food is what takes them to our homes. Any food sources in your garden can attract them. They have a good sense of smell. Clean your yard of fallen fruits. If you have pets, feed them inside your home.
Also, do not leave the food outside. Clean the trash cans or take them inside your house. More on that in the next paragraph.
Make bird feeders inaccessible to them. Raccoons often come to the yard, dig up soil, and find worms to eat. To solve this problem, use repellents and spray them in your yard. If you do not leave any food or shelter for them, they will not be interested in living in your yard.
Protect Trash Cans
Raccoons can eat everything. So, trash is one of the best food sources for them. Even if your trash can does not have food for them, they will come and mess it up. That mess can attract other critters in your house, like bears.
So, protecting trash bins is very important. Spend a few dollars in a good trash can with a strong lid. You can also look for odorless bins in the market for further protection. Keep them inside in a safe place inaccessible by raccoons.
Call for Removal if You Cannot Handle It
If nothing works for you, the infestation is severe, or a family or raccoon is living in your house, contact a professional agency for Blythewood wildlife removal. They will thoroughly inspect your home to look for signs of invasion and then develop a custom strategy to deal with the situation.
Also, you do not have to handle the raccoons yourself. They will carefully remove and relocate them without hurting or risking anyone. Make sure to check out the rest of our blog for more interesting articles.
FAQ:
What attracts raccoons to my backyard?
Raccoons are attracted to backyards primarily for food, water, and shelter. They have a keen sense of smell and will come for fallen fruits, pet food left outside, or easily accessible trash cans. Additionally, quiet and cluttered spaces can shelter them.
How can I prevent raccoons from entering my yard?
To prevent raccoons from entering your yard, keep it clean and remove potential shelters like woodpiles and overgrown bushes. Regularly clean up fallen fruits, secure trash cans with strong lids, and take pet food indoors. You can also use repellents and invest in a solid fence.
What types of repellents can I use to deter raccoons?
Effective repellents for raccoons include natural scents like peppermint oil, coffee grounds, garlic, hot pepper, and vinegar. Additionally, the presence of their natural predators, such as dogs or large birds, can help keep them away.
What should I do if I find raccoons in my backyard at night?
If you find raccoons in your backyard at night, it’s best to leave them alone and not approach them. To deter them from returning, remove any food sources, clean your yard, and consider using repellents. If the problem persists, contact a professional wildlife removal service.
When should I call a professional for raccoon removal?
You should call a professional for raccoon removal if you cannot manage the situation yourself if there is a severe infestation, or if a family of raccoons is living in your home. Professionals can safely and humanely remove and relocate raccoons without risking harm to themselves or the animals.
