How to be inhospitable to racoons?

[disykat]

We have huge trees just outside the window in our Den. The Den looks out at 2nd story level right into the branches and we see all sorts of birds and squirrels, especially in the old cherry - which is currently loaded with fruit. My dh and son were at the computers and looked out to see the cutest racoon, who is of course big enough to kill our miniature schnauzer, in one of the trees. Although the trees are on the other side of the small fenced area, racoons could easily drop down into the yard or climb our chain link fence.

We've been squirting it with the garden hose and flushed it out of the tree and away. We've been encouraging our dog and the german shepherd mix we're pet sitting to bark wildly. Any other suggestions?

I have to admit it's been entertaining, but we don't want racoons living in our backyard!

 

[RitaZ.]

Yeah, we have a racoon problem, too. They knock down our trash cans and dig for food. They poop in the fountain and pool. They come out during the day and walk on our pool deck. When I tried to chase it away, it turned and hissed at me. The other day I went to rinse the pool filter and I almost had a heart attack when I leaned forward and saw a young raccoon facing me, it was hiding behind the filter cartridge. I tried splashing water on it, but it just sat there.

I'm eager to hear what ideas others may have.

 

[SpecialK]

A lot of garden stores sell Invisible Fence. It's a liquid that you spray around the perimeter of your property that's supposed to repel rodents. We had a lot of raccoons at our old house. Ammonia seems to be unpleasant for them and it will override the smell of their urine so they won't come back. Someone also recommended fox urine (predator) as a deterrent. That's sold at some garden stores and sporting stores. Don't know if it works. We moved before we had to deal with it again. Good luck.

 

[justplaingoofy]

They hate ammonia

 

[Talking Hands]

Yeah, we have a racoon problem, too. They knock down our trash cans and dig for food. They poop in the fountain and pool. They come out during the day and walk on our pool deck. When I tried to chase it away, it turned and hissed at me. The other day I went to rinse the pool filter and I almost had a heart attack when I leaned forward and saw a young raccoon facing me, it was hiding behind the filter cartridge. I tried splashing water on it, but it just sat there.

I'm eager to hear what ideas others may have.

Pay Todd Hardwick of Pesky Critters to trap them and move them to a better location.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

We have racoons visit each evening. A few actually knock on the sliding door! I cant understand why they want to alert my dog. Its always my pails they are after. I have poured tabasco around the surrounding area and they do not like that at all. I have heard they hate ammonia but never tried that.

Arent racoons nocturnal? I had always thought if you see one during the day its probably sick or has rabbies? I have lived here for over 20 years and have seen many racoons but never once during the day.

 

[FroggyinArk]

move?

 

[disykat]

Thanks! Maybe I'll try some ammonia around the exterior of the fence line. It can't hurt! I'm just hoping they don't settle in and make themselves at home. That way I can stop supervising my dog outside when the cherries are gone.

 

[twoprincesses]

I will try every one of these tips. We've had a huge raccoon problem that started at the beginning of this month. We have a beautiful scarlet macaw that was attacked the other night by a raccoon... We've never had a problem before. Well, now one of his claws is badly injured and his wing was dripping blood when we brought him in. Now we have to keep him inside. We set a trap and have caught 4 but we'd rather just repel them than luring them and putting them elsewhere.

 

[RitaZ.]

Pay Todd Hardwick of Pesky Critters to trap them and move them to a better location.

One of our friends called one of those services and it was over $200 to set up the trap and another $85 or so per animal. It could get very costly since there are several of them. In the 10 yrs. that we've lived here, it has always been a problem.