Introduction
Raccoons are clever and lovable creatures, but they can be a pain when they invade our properties. These masked bandits can cause damage to our homes and gardens, contaminate our food, and even pose health risks. Fortunately, there are effective ways to get rid of raccoons without harming them. In this guide, we will explore natural repellents, DIY traps, professional removal services, property securing, food source elimination, and the dos and don’ts of raccoon removal. By following these tips, you can protect your property and coexist peacefully with these furry neighbors.
Natural Repellents for Raccoons
Raccoons have a keen sense of smell, and there are certain scents and plants that they dislike and avoid. Among the most effective natural repellents for raccoons are garlic, vinegar, cayenne pepper, ammonia, mothballs, and predator urine. You can mix these ingredients with water or use them in their concentrated form, then apply them to areas where raccoons frequent, such as garbage bins, gardens, and entry points. You can also plant tall, spiky, or thorny plants like bamboo, cactus, or holly around your property to make it hard for raccoons to climb or jump over. Just be careful not to harm your pets or other wildlife with these repellents.
DIY Raccoon Traps
Humane traps are the safest and most ethical way to capture and release raccoons. However, buying commercially-made traps can be expensive and may not fit your needs. Luckily, you can make your own raccoon trap using simple household materials such as a box, a stick, a string, and some bait like peanut butter or cheese. The trap works by luring the raccoon inside the box with the bait, then triggering the stick to fall and close the box when the raccoon touches it. You can release the trapped raccoon in a remote location away from your property, preferably near a water source and plenty of vegetation.
Professional Raccoon Removal
While natural repellents and DIY traps can be effective for small-scale raccoon problems, they may not be enough for severe infestations or in cases where raccoons have already caused significant damage. In such cases, it’s best to seek the help of a professional wildlife control service that specializes in raccoon removal. They have the knowledge, equipment, and experience needed to safely and humanely capture and relocate raccoons using traps, baits, and exclusion devices. They can also inspect your property for potential entry points and provide recommendations on how to seal them off. Just make sure to choose a licensed and insured company that uses humane and legal methods and offers reasonable prices and warranties.
Securing Your Property
Raccoons are opportunistic creatures that can use almost anything to enter and exit your property, including roof vents, chimneys, windows, doors, cracks, and holes. Therefore, it’s crucial to inspect your property regularly for any gaps or openings that raccoons can exploit. You can use sealants, screens, wire mesh, or wooden planks to cover or fix these areas. You can also install motion-activated lights, sprinklers, or sound devices that startle raccoons and make them feel unwelcome. Additionally, you can store your trash and food in airtight containers, keep pet food indoors, and clean up spills, fallen fruits, and seeds to reduce the chances of attracting raccoons.
Eliminating Food Sources
Raccoons are omnivores that eat almost anything they can find, including insects, rodents, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, eggs, and meat. Therefore, it’s important to remove or minimize the food sources that raccoons may find attractive. For example, you can use organic or chemical insecticides and rodent traps to control pests that raccoons prey on. You can also fence off or cover your garden and compost piles with metal or plastic barriers to prevent raccoons from digging or foraging. You can also use decoy or sound devices that mimic the sounds or smells of predators to deter raccoons from coming near your property.
Dos and Don’ts of Raccoon Removal
Before you attempt to remove raccoons on your own, it’s important to understand the legal and ethical implications of your actions. Raccoons are protected wildlife in many states, which means they cannot be killed, harmed, or relocated without a permit. Therefore, you should only use legal and humane methods to deal with raccoons. Additionally, you should avoid handling or approaching live raccoons, as they may carry diseases such as rabies and can become aggressive if provoked. Instead, contact your local wildlife agency or a licensed wildlife control company for guidance and assistance. Finally, you should always be patient, persistent, and compassionate in your approach to raccoon removal, as these animals are just trying to survive like any other creature.
Conclusion
Getting rid of raccoons can be a challenging but rewarding task that requires a combination of natural repellents, humane traps, professional removal services, property securing, food source elimination, and responsible behavior. By following the tips provided in this guide, you can ensure the safety, health, and harmony of your property and the raccoons that share it with you. Just remember to always prioritize the well-being of the raccoons and respect their natural habitat and rights.
