Racoons..what to do?

[notsogoofy]

We have a family of raccoons living in the storm drain across the street. How do we get rid of them? A trapper wants 100 dollars a week per trap, and then 35 dollars per animal removed. thats too much. Its on the neighbors property, and he doesnt seem to care. What to do?

 

[stsomewhere]

Our friends had a similiar problem. The raccoons were in their garage attic.
They contacted animal control for their city. They got free traps and animal control took them away.

Good luck.

PS. If you live out in the country, may be able to contact a coon hunting club.

 

[tiggger1]

why do you want to get rid of them?

 

[notsogoofy]

a fair enough question..We live in the suburbs..they are out in the middle of the day, and the children will not play outside when the raccoons are outside. they have been on our porch in the middle of the day, and are not afraid of us. So, we just cant walk right on by them. Similarly, any information Ive read about them says that as it gets colder, they can become a real nuisance as far as trying to get into the house. In our community, they have really made a big deal about rabies. So passive raccoons are definitely something to worry about. Any raccoons I grew up around were very wary of people. Im just scared the kids are gonna get bit, or wake up with a raccoon in their bed..

 

[Bloodhound]

Our friends had a similiar problem. The raccoons were in their garage attic.
They contacted animal control for their city. They got free traps and animal control took them away.

Good luck.

PS. If you live out in the country, may be able to contact a coon hunting club.

This what I would do as well

 

[wardfamily1]

Bacon Grease and a .22 - works like a charm.



Seriously though, have you checked with animal control in your area. The same people that pick up cats and dogs around here will set traps for you, we are paying for it with our property taxes.

 

[notsogoofy]

Bacon Grease and a .22 - works like a charm.



Seriously though, have you checked with animal control in your area. The same people that pick up cats and dogs around here will set traps for you, we are paying for it with our property taxes.

you forgot the silencer..we live in the burbs!

 

[manning]

a fair enough question..We live in the suburbs..they are out in the middle of the day, and the children will not play outside when the raccoons are outside. they have been on our porch in the middle of the day, and are not afraid of us. So, we just cant walk right on by them. Similarly, any information Ive read about them says that as it gets colder, they can become a real nuisance as far as trying to get into the house. In our community, they have really made a big deal about rabies. So passive raccoons are definitely something to worry about. Any raccoons I grew up around were very wary of people. Im just scared the kids are gonna get bit, or wake up with a raccoon in their bed..

I knew someone who had a summer home in the country. The raccoons broke into his house twice. they got into the beer both times.

Now there's a meaning of .......party animals.

 

[tiggger1]

Our animal control wont touch them. We had a possibly rabid ( it did get hit by a car too) skunk and they told us to shoot it and throw it away or bury it...We called a trapper and they wouldnt touch it because of the possible rabies....

if finally died and hubby disposed of it....

 

[freckles and boo]

We had one in our garage attic, too. The animal control guy said they like quiet, dry, dark places and that we should make the garage unhospitable to drive it out. We soaked rags in vinegar and put them all over the loft. We then left the lights on and left a radio blaring NPR for the next 36 hours. It worked, but I don't know how well it would work in a space that isn't confined. You could probably try the vinegar rags though.

 

[manning]

you forgot the silencer..we live in the burbs!

M BIL had one in his garage. His neighbor across the alley didn't bother with the silencer

 

[Val]

Now, my solution will get the 'coons out of the storm drain- but it won't necessarily prevent them from moving to a better real estate location....

....go to http://www.yardlover.com/products.php?pid=845 and you will find coyote urine crystals....yes, really. Place these around and in the storm drain- it should trick the coons into thinking Mr. Wiley Coyote has taken up residence. Repeat after every rain until they are gone...

....a cheaper solution is to have your husband pee in the storm drain and scent mark it- as coons don't like humans, either. However, the tickets for indecent exposure and urinating in public probably cost more than the coyote urine crystals- IF he gets caught. The public humilation from the neighbors could be costly emotionally....but worth the great laugh for you.

I guess I would stick with the coyote urine. Be sure and use it around anywhere else you don't want them to move to.....e.g., around the porch, near a shed, etc. Let them move to the next street over! And WHERE GLOVES when pouring it- even the crystals STINK!

BTW- we live on an acre in the woods (yes, woods in Illinois!)....we have a plethora of coons, possum, coyotes, fox, rabbits, moles and voles, deer, skunk, snakes, etc. and we manage to coexist- well, I hate when the owl dive bombs me when I let the dogs out, and we did worry that the hawks might get the cats were they were kittens. We don't use the urine crystals at home because we don't care if they share the woods with us....but I have used the coyote and fox urine in my research (don't ask)....it does stink and rodents and other "vermin" hate it!

 

[AmazingGrace]

Here are a few ideas that you may want to try.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We have a family of raccoons living in the storm drain across the street. How do we get rid of them? A trapper wants 100 dollars a week per trap, and then 35 dollars per animal removed. thats too much. Its on the neighbors property, and he doesnt seem to care. What to do?

Take up a collection with the folks that want the raccoons gone. Or do you have an HOA? Perhaps they can help.