Repel Raccoons

[SweetErika]

We have several raccoons living in the thicket in our backyard. They're getting more daring and becoming a problem, jumping on the patio furniture, breaking small pots, coming close when we're on the deck, etc., and we're tired of being held hostage by these pesky critters.

We also have an extended family of feral cats living in the same area. Along with the neighbors, we give them food and water (though the food's brought in at night due to the raccoons) and generally watch out/care for them.

I've done a little research on repelling raccoons, but it seems a lot of the solutions will also keep the kitties at bay.

Does anyone have experience with dealing with annoying raccoons, or tips/ideas on what might help keep them away without harming or scaring the cats? If you've tried any of the commercial products (e.g. coyote urine powder, sound devices), I'd also love to hear whether they worked or not.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Weird Harold]

I've done a little research on repelling raccoons, but it seems a lot of the solutions will also keep the kitties at bay.

From what I've heard about raccoons on various nature documentaries, I think anything you try is actualy more likely to drive the cats away than the raccons.

The only thing I can suggest is to capture the feral cats and bring them indoors until you've driven the raccons away (perhaps you can take the cats to be neutered while you deal with the other problem?)

 

[SweetErika]

From what I've heard about raccoons on various nature documentaries, I think anything you try is actualy more likely to drive the cats away than the raccons.

The only thing I can suggest is to capture the feral cats and bring them indoors until you've driven the raccons away (perhaps you can take the cats to be neutered while you deal with the other problem?)

That may be an option - the cats will go in our neighbor's house sometimes. Unfortunately, I read it can take quite awhile for raccoons to learn/be scared off, and I'm not sure if either the neighbors or cats will put up with being inside for an extended period of time, and we can't have them in ours due to allergies.

And, we got the entire feline family fixed and immunized last week at the local, nonprofit feral cat clinic (if anyone has time, money or resources to donate to one in their area, please give to this wonderful cause!), thankfully. Great idea, though - had we not done it now, they would have become unmanagable very quickly.

 

[human_male]

Organise the cats into a sort of malitia/fighting force. Make them little spears and swords and shields and stuff.

 

[Weird Harold]

That may be an option - the cats will go in our neighbor's house sometimes. Unfortunately, I read it can take quite awhile for raccoons to learn/be scared off, and I'm not sure if either the neighbors or cats will put up with being inside for an extended period of time, and we can't have them in ours due to allergies.

As long as you can get the cats out of the way temporarily, you can use a "sonic pest repeller" -- i.e. high volume, high-frequency sounds that are painful to the raccoons (and cats). The raccons (and any other pests that hear in the same frequency ranges) will leave immediately, but will return in a day or so; bring the cats back inside and repeat the noise treatment as soon as you spot a raccoon or raccoon sign.

You may have to bring the cats inside for a day or two several different times but eventually, the raccoons should get the message.

If it weren't for the cats, you can rig that kind of system to a motion detector (plug it into a motion sensing yard light, for example) and it would be more effective because it would come on every time the raccoons came to check if it was safe to return.

 

[webber1998]

We had a problem several years ago. There are licensed trappers in MD that for a $$$ will humanely trap(cage trap) and release them to another area. In our case, that was a wooded area about 1/2 mile away. They originally had been attracted to the area by a neighbor leaving cat food on their porch. Then they found trash cans and anything else that was left around.

I didn't want to hurt them and after two weeks he had carted them off to the neighboring woods and I never saw them again.

 

[midwestyankee]

Erika, while my recollection of it is that this thread was at least as much entertainment as hard how-to, you may glean some ideas on how to deal with unwanted animals.

Enjoy and I do hope that you find a good solution to this annoyance.

 

[Night_Jasmine]

The problem remains that with the racoons there, the cats are in danger as well. Both are territorial and even with the family of cats fixed, good job btw!, they can still be aggressive in defending their territory. I don't think they're equipped to handle a group of raccoon.s

My suggestion is to call and research, talk to a zoo and wildlife management about the situation and get their advice. There's a fact that the animals are not immunized and could present a health risk to pets and people. The older raccoons get, the more aggressive they can be. That's one reason they make HORRIBLE pets. After a certain age, they become violent and whatever domestication is taught has been thrown out by nature.

Parks and wildlife, zoo, even some vets might be able to provide an answer. The problem is getting them OUT of the neighborhood and someplace where they won't be harmed and won't harm others.

 

[Eilan]

My suggestion is to call and research, talk to a zoo and wildlife management about the situation and get their advice.

I agree. Or the State's Department of Natural Resources, if you have such a thing. We've had people around here get into legal trouble for trapping nuisance animals and then setting them free elsewhere. I'm sure that the laws vary depending on where you live.

If you live-trap them, you want to do it at a time of year that you won't have to worry about whether or not they've left behind babies, and you want to make sure that they're released far enough away that they won't come right back.

We used to have a similar problem with a family of raccoons (and the occasional opossum) eating our cat food and getting into our garbage on Trash Day. I'm not sure where they've gone. Maybe our dogs and the occasional coyote that wanders near our house scared them off.

 

[Exciteher]

We have several raccoons living in the thicket in our backyard. They're getting more daring and becoming a problem, jumping on the patio furniture, breaking small pots, coming close when we're on the deck, etc., and we're tired of being held hostage by these pesky critters.
....

I have been dealing with these intelligent, resourceful and ADAPTIVE little beings for as long as I have lived at my present semi-rural location...about 25 years..lol! They are distant cousins of the dog... and I must say, I have a love-hate relationship with them. I admire their nerve and inventiveness, but they have a huge sense of entitlement, and are crafty at getting what they want.

Are you sure they live in a thicket on your property? If so, that is not good. The little thieves will try to invite themselves into your attic or crawl space or basement. They will be thinking about that right now! They like dark, dry places to winter over. That they are already raiding your porch shows they already think they own the place. Might but a light on in both attic and basement until you get these guys to pack up and move out.

I am thinking that in view of the cats, your best shot is to call the Dept of Fish and Wildlife and have the raccoons evicted. My experience with electronic and sonic devices is that those devices can have an effect at first...but the effect wears off fast, and I have had them unplug, rewire, knock over and also completely destroy them.

Repellants... news paper soaked in ammonia (they hate the smell) and cayanne pepper work, but you have to keep renewing those, and again, the Raccoons can adapt, make little paths and bridges around treated areas...etc.

These animals are a danger to cats, and will prey on kittens, I even lost a full grown cat to a raccoon. The are very capable of defending themselves, don't mess with them. They are most troublesome when they have kits...or are starving. Then they can get very aggressive. My neighbor was "mugged" by three raccoons, they knocked her over as she was unloading groceries from her car,and absconded with the better part of her shopping efforts. I had one climb in my window, and steal a loaf of bread...right in front of me! Had another one waltz right onto my porch this summer, it was hot and I had my door open. Again, the little dude took a look at me, chirped and walked right in like he owned the place. I threw a book at him before he got very far...but they can be so cheeky!

Erika, you do not want these guys sharing your property, they will start to view you as a mere "staff" and get very bold. To them, your property is now theirs. Call Animal control! Make sure they have not already covertly moved in to your house. If they have, call animal control. Make sure all soffit vents, attic vents, basement vents etc are in sound condition. I even caught one sneaking out of my chimney one spring, the females will use the flue shelf to raise their kits... so a chimney screen may be in order also.

Repellants, etc are good only for keeping the critters moving on... not that good at rousting them out. Like any HOMEOWNER, they will circumvent and repair most problems.... or repellant efforts.

Also a largeish outdoor dog like a shepard may help keep them away... but may not be too keen on engaging in a territory dispute with them... a little dog..will be lunch. Also, you must remove all food sources to keep them away.

Welcome to the club!

 

[SweetErika]

Okay, on your advice, I've emailed the enforcement division of the WDFW requesting help. If I don't get a response, I'll give them a call next week. Here's what their site says:

Q. How do I get rid of a problem Opossum/Raccoon/other wild animal?
A. Depending on the situation, a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) number can be provided, you can trap and euthanize animal yourself, or you can use some method of driving the animal away. Methods for driving off wildlife include: mothballs, ammonia-soaked rags, loud noises, objects that move in the breeze, shooting them with birdshot or slingshots with marbles.

I'd imagine that gives plenty of people license to torture raccoons. We would shoot if they really became a danger, but don't want it to get to that point and doubt the neighbors would appreciate even warning shots. Hubby's a good shot, but at night I'd worry we'd end up with an injured raccoon or cat. So, peaceful solutions are definitely our first choice.

Oddly enough, the 'coons left the kittens alone, even as newborns. We found them hidden away when they were a couple of weeks old, and always worried when one of the four didn't turn up at mealtime, but they're all relatively healthy 4-5 month old kittens now. Their mom and the other females are very protective, but we haven't seen evidence they've faced off with the raccoons either. You guys make a very good point about winter, though - food will be in much shorter supply then (we think they eat frogs, in addition to foraging, now), and they could go after the cats if desperate.

I read some posts on the noisemakers and such, and apparently the manufacturers who guarentee they'll work offer a 2-year promise because that's how long it can take to scare particularly persistent raccoons away.

I'll have Hubby check the attic vents (we don't have a crawlspace, and just used the fireplace), but I'm pretty sure they're still living in the thicket. I never considered the possibility of them becoming roommates, but it's reassurance they need to be dealt with soon.

 

[TBKahuna123]

I hate to sound cruel, but the only way I've ever found to deal with Raccoons is to kill them. It's very hard to drive them off because they are so damned resourceful. I truly believe the little buggers are made up of reincarnated master cat burglars. We always just shot them with a 22. Of course they were getting in my grandmother's cannery and messing up her canned foods and such, so they were more than a nuisance, they were getting destructive.

Another though if you don't want to HARM them, would be a low powered air rifle. Not a bb gun, but a pellet gun with just a couple pumps wound hurt enough to scare them, without injuring them.

Ahhhh the joys of rural living. You're making me homesick.

 

[Straight-8]

I hate to sound cruel, but the only way I've ever found to deal with Raccoons is to kill them. It's very hard to drive them off because they are so damned resourceful. I truly believe the little buggers are made up of reincarnated master cat burglars. We always just shot them with a 22. Of course they were getting in my grandmother's cannery and messing up her canned foods and such, so they were more than a nuisance, they were getting destructive.

Another though if you don't want to HARM them, would be a low powered air rifle. Not a bb gun, but a pellet gun with just a couple pumps wound hurt enough to scare them, without injuring them.

Ahhhh the joys of rural living. You're making me homesick.

I'm with you TBK. The remedy is a .22. If you can't use one in your area there are also high powered .22 or .177 airguns that might do the trick. A really serious terrier (Airdale type) or Bouvier or other varmint dog could turn the tide until you spoil him and he becomes part of the furniture.

If you want to be politically correct, you could try a haveahart (live) trap. My aunt used to use one of those on squirrels, drive them way out of town and let them go. I swear that they'd sometimes beat her back home!

 

[Snowman5933]

My two cents....

Wait and see if you are contacted by fish and wildlife. If they can't help, live trapping is an option, but it's time consuming and expensive. A trap big enough to trap a raccoon can cost $65-100 and you will only be able to catch one animal at a time. I think you will waste time and money using deterents. I would reserve extermination as a last resort, but remember, it's your home and property. Do whats best for you. Good Luck!

 

[fallenupright]

I'd love to hear more options too...

The boys house has them living on the roof. They've been successful in scaring them off... but then a new family or one just moves in. In his town it is illegal to kill them, and animal control will trap them and move them, but it only solves the problem until the next bunch try and move in.

The 'coons are destroying their roof.

They have tried many things - the problem seems to be the little buggers are so smart, any one thing doesn't work for long before they throw it off the roof, or just don't find it to be an obstacle anymore...

Any ideas?

 

[bobsgirl]

Erika, while my recollection of it is that this thread was at least as much entertainment as hard how-to, you may glean some ideas on how to deal with unwanted animals.

Enjoy and I do hope that you find a good solution to this annoyance.

Ah, so i did remember correctly. You beat me to it.

 

[SweetErika]

Okay, well I'm glad to hear we're not alone in at least considering the .22! I have to wonder what a couple of warning shots for a few nights would do... In terms of injuring or killing them, a real concern is the possibility of legal trouble. People have been brought up on poaching charges for reasonable things like putting suffering injured animals down in the past here. I suppose that quote from the WDFW website above does say we can shoot at and humanely euthanize them, if necessary, though, and a gunshot qualifies as humane.

We may get the .22 out for emergencies, but will wait to see what WDFW can do for us first. Dogs and expensive solutions aren't really options for us right now.

 

[SweetErika]

I'd love to hear more options too...

The boys house has them living on the roof. They've been successful in scaring them off... but then a new family or one just moves in. In his town it is illegal to kill them, and animal control will trap them and move them, but it only solves the problem until the next bunch try and move in.

The 'coons are destroying their roof.

They have tried many things - the problem seems to be the little buggers are so smart, any one thing doesn't work for long before they throw it off the roof, or just don't find it to be an obstacle anymore...

Any ideas?

A repelling odor might work in that situation. There are granules of coyote urine that can be sprinkled around, and others have mentioned the ammonia and cayenne pepper.

 

[fallenupright]

A repelling odor might work in that situation. There are granules of coyote urine that can be sprinkled around, and others have mentioned the ammonia and cayenne pepper.

Most things seem to wash off with the rain, and getting to their roof is quite the hazard, so they don't want to be climbing up there every other day...

We were looking into some sort of coating that is sticky (we are assuming they wont like being stuck and will leave the part of the roof they seem to hang out on alone) and lasts a while, but have yet to find a product that seems to be likely to work.

 

[Exciteher]

Erika, this spring and summer has been good for the raccoons, lots of food from berries, grubs..and of course their favorite... garbage and stuff they can steal. As winter deepens, that will turn around, and depending on how cold it gets and how their food supplies are going... that is when cats become targets, they start ripping up gardens and plants (to get roots)..etc.

Trapping is problematic, I've done it, but now I leave it to the Animal control people. Depending on age and experience, the raccoons can outwit traps. The wildlife folks have an assortment of types of traps they can use.

The "shoot them" option assumes your local codes allow for that, in most jurisdictions in King county it is illegal to use firearms in city limits. Warning shots will elicit a twitch of the ears and a "yawn" from them (it's THEIR place ...remember?) ... even a .22 pellet gun may get a very sluggish response. BB's bounce off. Been there, done that...

One friend I know uses a live trap, and then sinks the trap in water and drowns the raccoons.. this is the lethal option most used where I live. I am not too fond of that myself.

These critters are so ubiquitious now in these parts, because their natural predators are absent, that management is the only practical option. They are looking for 2 things. Food and shelter. The key is to deprive them of those things. This however, runs contrary to nurturing feral cats... who are looking for the same things.

.... The boys house has them living on the roof. They've been successful in scaring them off... but then a new family or one just moves in.

...the problem seems to be the little buggers are so smart, any one thing doesn't work for long before they throw it off the roof, or just don't find it to be an obstacle anymore...

Yep, that is it in a nut shell. And just because you get rid of one gang, does not mean the war is won.

How are they getting on the roof? You need to figure out how they do that. Putting flour around suspected path ways on to the roof will tell you a lot, you will see their paw prints! Sprinkle the flour with a sifter all the way around the house, around any trees, etc. One way they can get up there is by climbing a tree next to the house, and simply jumping... or climbing over on an overhanging branch. Another is they are able to climb up some types of wood siding, ( they can zip up cedar siding and shingles) and even brick. They are ace technical climbers. Solutions involve branch pruning, and even putting 2 ft high aluminum flashing or sheet metal around tree trunks, and perhaps under eves or around foundations... Aluminum siding is good!

Also, sometimes a neighborhood effort is required, which is the solution we use in my neighborhood. We all make sure to keep the land clear, raccoons do not like lighted areas, so some outdoor lighting helps. We cover and raccoon proof garbage cans, and eliminate any other possable food sources. If everyone is on the same page, things get a lot more managable..

 

[SweetErika]

Trapping is problematic, I've done it, but now I leave it to the Animal control people. Depending on age and experience, the raccoons can outwit traps. The wildlife folks have an assortment of types of traps they can use.

The "shoot them" option assumes your local codes allow for that, in most jurisdictions in King county it is illegal to use firearms in city limits. Warning shots will elicit a twitch of the ears and a "yawn" from them (it's THEIR place ...remember?) ... even a .22 pellet gun may get a very sluggish response. BB's bounce off. Been there, done that...

Good points. I just checked, and we do NOT live in a "No Shooting Area" of unincorporated KC (we're just outside of city limits), so we can legally shoot on our little piece of property. Hopefully 10 citizens won't band together and make this one before we run out of other options for dealing with the little monsters.

We don't have air or pellet rifles, and aren't willing to spend money on one for this purpose, so it would be one of the real .22s or nothing, as everything else we have would be overkill and scare the living daylights out of the neighbors, I'm sure.

 

[Texguy84]

This kinda reminds me of when I went to Philmont, and we were warned about the Rock Squirrels. These guys were evidently little squirrels that tended to be smarter than most Boy Scouts (go figure ). Anyhow, you'd have two or three of them frolicking around, looking like total goofballs while all the scouts laughed at them. Meanwhile, two or three more were stealing your food, one cracker at a time, while you weren't looking.

We were told there were three ways to deal with them (all requiring a towel)

1) Hit them with a sledgehammer (wipe up with a towel)
2) Shoot them with a shotgun (wipe up with a towel)
3) Shoot them with a 50BMG round (Wipe up with a towel).

Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to harm the wild life at Philmont, so mostly we had to settle for keeping an eye on our food.

 

[Texguy84]

Incidentally, I think this thread wins the prize for "Thread titles I did not expect to see on the Lit how to forums"

 

[Weird Harold]

We don't have air or pellet rifles, and aren't willing to spend money on one for this purpose, so it would be one of the real .22s or nothing, as everything else we have would be overkill and scare the living daylights out of the neighbors, I'm sure.

If you have a shotgun, that would be the best choice if you have to resort to shooting them. It may be a lot louder than a .22 but it's also much less dangerous to your neighbors if you miss the raccoon. Just let your neighbors know beforehand that you're going to be shooting at raccoons with a shotgun.

 

[ArtifexLignorum]

There used to be quite a few racoons, possums and such like in residence here. Once the dog got large enough to seek out his play pals. All of them left.

This is not a non violent solution. Quite the opposite. They all departed one way or another in no time.

None of those other solutions seem to work as completely and quickly as a full size healthy dog.