Do you have raccoons? These cute but mischievous creatures can wreak havoc on your home and garden, especially in large numbers, but learning how to keep raccoons out of a garden doesn’t have to be a difficult task. There are steps you can take that will help keep these animal pests under control.
How to get rid of raccoons
Getting rid of raccoons can be as easy as cleaning the area or as drastic as using traps. Other methods include the use of deterrents and exclusion, such as fencing.
Although you can usually find their mischievous activities in the yard, raccoons will also get into trash cans or your pet’s food. Therefore, it is a good idea to secure trash lids or trash cans so these animals cannot open them. Pet food is put away at night when raccoons are most active.
You may not always see them, but raccoons will certainly leave some evidence of their visit, especially in the garden. These can include footprints, droppings, and crop damage such as hollowed out melons or half-eaten corn.
Various methods can be used to scare away these animals, some of which include the use of radios, flashing scarecrow lights , windmills, cake pans, etc. However, these only work for a short time, if at all, as the raccoon will quickly get used to it.
However, there are still preventive measures you can take. For example, simply cleaning the surrounding area can help. Raccoons hide in hollow trees/trunks, brush piles, barns, etc. Open structures should be enclosed, perhaps with mesh, and overhanging tree branches should be trimmed to prevent the animals from accessing nearby rooftops.
How to Deter Raccoons with Fences
The best thing you can do to get rid of raccoons is with a proper fence. Since they are expert climbers and diggers, the normal fence is not enough. To make it raccoon proof, you will need to add one or two strands of electric fencing at least 8 inches (20 cm) from the ground and 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) from the fence. You can also bury the fence at least 6 inches 15 cm deep and a foot 30+ cm. Outward to avoid digging.
Alternatively, you can simply place one or two strands of electric fencing around the perimeter of your garden, keeping the bottom strand 6 inches (15 cm) off the ground. This can easily be turned on at night and left on during the day if you wish.
Trapping raccoons
Trapping raccoons is another technique used. However, it is probably best left to a professional, as confined raccoons can become very feisty and pose a threat to the owner.
If you are trapping, use a heavy gauge cage trap measuring at least 10 x 12 x 32 inches (25 x 30 x 81 cm). Traps can be baited with anything from fresh fruit to canned pet food flavored with fish.The raccoons should then be relocated to a suitable area. However, keep in mind that it may be illegal to release raccoons into federal parks and lands.