4 min readRaccoons, much like squirrels, are a common backyard presence that is at once both cute and incredibly destructive. No one is saying aww when these furry creatures ransack your yard and tip over your trash bins. Raccoons can also make a mess of garden beds, and when they’re looking for spots to build their nests, they might damage your home’s insulation, siding, and HVAC systems and even infiltrate your attic space.
Plus, as Bryor Newton, owner of Critter Removal Ohio, points out, raccoons can be carriers of a multitude of diseases. Think: rabies (which can be spread through contact with saliva), roundworm, and salmonella. In fact, Newton says that raccoon droppings should be treated as hazardous waste.
To deter raccoons from taking up residence in your yard, experts recommend these six humane approaches.
Secure the Trash
Jason Burkhart, managing director at Critter Control, first advises keeping outdoor trash bins sealed tightly, or purchasing animal-resistant units that are designed to prevent critters from opening them or climbing on top of them.
Also, make sure these bins have some heft. Burkhart says that raccoons are tenacious and strong, and if your bins are light enough, they’ll topple them right over (which is why those tight seals are important, too).
Remove Tempting Food
Raccoons are always on the prowl for food scraps, along with birdseed, pet food, and fallen fruit. Also, keep in mind that they love compost, which is why it, too, should be in a sealed bin.
“The best way to ensure that raccoons don’t start hanging around your property is to make sure it is devoid of food sources,” Burkhart says. “If they determine that your yard or property is a reliable food source, they are much more likely to frequently return or even try to get inside.”
Use Humane Deterrents
Raccoons are curious, but they startle easily. Luckily, there are ways to scare them off without hurting them.
“Motion-activated lights or sprinklers help keep raccoons away by startling them, and ammonia-soaked rags or predator urine can discourage them from settling in,” Newton notes.
Prevent Denning
When the temperatures turn chilly, raccoons go on the hunt for cozy places to nest. That’s why Newton says that it can help to “fence and block off denning spots.” This involves installing fencing around gardens and using “dig-stop barriers” around decks, sheds, and foundations to prevent raccoons from burrowing underneath.
Cut Off Access
With plenty of food and shelter options in your yard, you may have unknowingly created a dream habitat for raccoons. That’s why you have to cut off access to the things they want the most.
To achieve this, Newton recommends trimming any overhanging tree branches and keeping grass and shrubs well-maintained, which can eliminate hiding spots. He also says that you should keep firewood and debris well away from the house, and remove standing water by making sure gutters drain properly.
Seal Entry Points
To keep the critters from getting into your house (and transforming from a yard raccoon to an attic raccoon), Newton says that it’s imperative to seal all those potential entry points.
“Check for holes, loose vents, or broken soffits and seal them properly, and install a chimney cap,” he says.
FAQs on Dealing with Raccoons
Should I just try to scare the raccoons away when I see them?
If you spot a raccoon in your yard, your first instinct might be to yell or wave your arms around to scare them. This isn’t a great idea. While Burkhart says that raccoons don’t love human contact (and they’ll likely flee), they might end up feeling cornered or threatened. And that’s when they might attack.
“They may be much smaller than humans, but they are quite strong, capable of using their paws to cause major harm to people,” Burkhart says. “With this in mind, you should never approach or attempt to handle a raccoon situation on your own.”
Are there early signs of raccoons I should look for?
Things like overturned trash bins and messy gardens can be early dead giveaways that you have a raccoon nesting nearby, but you might even hear some “growling or hissing” from spots in your yard or holes in your house, as Newton says. Those unfriendly sounds often mean that a mama is protecting her babies.
Should I just trap them?
Trapping raccoons is a practice best left to professionals—and Newton says that cutting off their access is actually better.
“If the raccoons have made their way into your home or underneath your decking, one-way devices can be installed that allow the raccoons to leave your home safely while preventing them from getting back inside,” he explains. “Once the raccoon has been removed, seal the entry points so the problem doesn’t repeat.”
