How to Get Rid of Raccoons

The best way to get rid of a raccoon is a raccoon trap.

The trap needs to be secured and away from anything you do not want to be destroyed. The lawn underneath the trap and close-by flowers or shrubbery will likely be damaged if accessible. Place the trap on concrete or dirt if possible. If not, place the trap in a space that is invaluable and does not have any valuable surroundings within arm’s reach.

When choosing a location on the ground, be mindful of the surroundings that may be destroyed, and be sure to secure the trap. Place traps in an area where raccoons frequent. Because you need to check a trap regularly, it needs to be placed in a somewhat accessible location.

Raccoon Trap Tips

Keep 12 inches around the trap clear. Raccoons have extremely dexterous front paws with five long, tapered fingers and long nails. Raccoons destroy everything they can get their hands on when trapped.

Secure the trap and protect the animal. If you set a trap on the roof, make sure it is secure! Unless the trap can be stabilized, it is not safe for a raccoon to be in a trap on a pitched roof. You should use a trap that has some covering to protect the animal from the elements.

Bait the trap with sweet items to reduce non-target captures. You can purchase sweet pasts. Fruits like cherries or grapes, marshmallows or jelly work effectively as raccoon bait. 

What Smell Do Raccoons Hate?

Raccoon eviction spray works when young are present. Raccoon eviction spray works by using the scent of male raccoon urine. Male raccoons will kill raccoon kits, so female raccoons will leave that area. Sometimes that means moving to a different area in your house. Sometimes the raccoons will leave. Once they leave, make sure to install exclusions to keep them out.

If raccoon eviction spray does not work, use a cage trap to remove the mother. You can remove the babies by hand. Place them in a cardboard box with a towel. Release the mother on your property and leave the box outside. She will return to them. 

Where do raccoons live in homes?

Raccoon in Attics

Like many animals, raccoons commonly take up residence in attics, as they are usually warm, quiet, and seldom visited by humans. Raccoons are some of the largest animals you’ll come across in a residential setting, so if a raccoon is in your attic, you might hear loud thumping noises that simply couldn’t be produced by a smaller animal.

Raccoons on Roof

Raccoons on roofs can cause significant damage to your property. Females are known to destroy soffits, fascia boards, shingles, vents, and insulation to establish denning sites. Once a raccoon creates or enlarges a hole in the rooftop, it becomes an easy pathway to the attic. 

• Trim trees and branches to eliminate access to your roof
• ​Install metal sheeting at the corner of your house so raccoons cannot climb up your house

Raccoon in Chimney

Raccoons are known to live in chimneys, which they can easily climb up and down. The best way to ensure raccoons (or any animal, for that matter) stay out of your chimney is to install a commercial stainless steel chimney cap.

In the Walls.

Raccoons can either climb down or fall down wall cavities. Raccoons inside walls can be difficult to remove. Raccoons that fell down might be trapped, and a trapped raccoon might die if ignored. Usually, you will need to find precisely where the raccoon is and then cut through your wall to remove the raccoon.

Crawlspaces and Basements

Raccoons typically get in through the, basement door seals, trim, or even from the ground. Raccoons may find their way into your crawlspace if there is a big enough hole to squeeze in. Once inside, the critter may create a den. The most effective means of removal is to set a live trap. You could wait for the raccoon to leave, but you’ll need to make sure there are no entry holes.

If you find an animal living in your crawlspace, it is critical to determine where the animal made its way in.

Raccoon under Decks or Porches.

Yet another area that raccoons frequent. Common signs that you have raccoons under your deck are rustling and thumping noises, a strong odor of feces or urine, and hand-looking footprints around the area.

Raccoons leave their den nightly so you could install exclusion devices at night. Do not seal the area under your porch if young are present. Once the raccoon is gone, you’ll need to create effective exclusions. Typically, these exclusions will include wire mesh, hardware cloth, and buried fences to prevent more animals from entering. 

Why do raccoons enter houses?

Our houses simply make great habitats, as they are warm, sheltered, and often located near food sources. These properties also make our homes premier locations for raising young, so if you suspect you have raccoons, it’s also quite possible you have a litter of baby raccoons to contend with. Baby raccoons—called kits—are typically born between March and April.

Raccoons in the Yard

Raccoons like all other animals are seeking food, water, and shelter. The first step to get rid of or prevent raccoons from choosing your property is to ensure you do not create an environment for them.

Follow these tips to keep your yard raccoon-free:

• Keep your garage door closed, especially at night. Garages provide a generous shelter space for raccoons. Many people will leave their garage doors open to provide shelter for outdoor animals, like cats, but the destruction from a raccoon would make you change your mind. Once a raccoon enters your garage, it can cause enough destruction to enter your living space. Or you may already have openings/holes in the walls of your garage which a raccoon will utilize to gain access to your home.
• Do not leave food outside. If your pet eats outside, please ensure you remove their dish and water bowl after they are finished eating. If your family has a meal outside, be sure to take all used plates, utensils, and condiments inside and ensure the space is crumb-free.
• We highly discourage placing birdfeeders out on your property, but if you do, be very cautious of the location you choose. If possible, put only one day’s worth of seed in the feeder at a time.
• Raccoons are strong and have very dexterous hands so be sure to keep your garbage can tightly shut and inaccessible. If you are having trouble with a raccoon continuously rummaging through your trash, consider tying your garbage can shut.
• If you grow any fruits or vegetables on your property, be sure to retrieve it as soon as it is ready. If a raccoon knows there is a food source available, you will have a return visitor who will likely bring other guests.

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