Raccoons
Humane Raccoon & Skunk Deterrents
Hundreds of different species of animals coexist in the hillsides and open fields of our communities. As we bulldoze and cement these areas to make room for more homes and bigger roads, animals of all types—skunks, raccoons, opossums, feral cats, mice, foxes, gophers, lizards and dozens more—are displaced and involuntarily forced to live among us.
It is time we lived peacefully with this new wave of immigrants. With a little patience, a good dose of compassion, old–fashioned common sense, and a few simple and non–lethal tricks, you will be able to keep your garden intact, the garbage lid on, and get a good night’s sleep.
How to Evict
Locate a skunk or raccoon’s entryways and close off all but one. One exit must remain available for the skunk or raccoon to make his final getaway. If you are unsure of the animal’s entryway, spread baking soda or cornstarch around likely nocturnal and will leave tracks upon returning to their places. Skunks and raccoons are dens. A skunk or raccoon living in your chimney will leave sooty paw prints on down spouts and trim. Check for animal hairs on the edge of holes on roofs and foundations to determine their use as possible entryways and exits.
If the raccoon or skunk is living in the chimney, DO NOT SMOKE HER OUT. Both adults and youngsters may die of smoke inhalation.
To eliminate the darkness favored by raccoons and skunks, light the den continuously. A mechanic’s light or flashlight works well.
Disturb the den with noise during the day—such as a radio with music near the den entrance.
Dens under porches or stairs may be dampened (NOT FLOODED) with a hose at night when the animals are out.
Infants in the Den — Special Considerations
Follow suggestions above but allow mothers to evacuate babies—this may take as long as a week.
Check the den each evening between 8–11 p.m. When you are absolutely certain raccoons and skunks of all ages have departed, seal the remaining entryway.
NEVER APPROACH A DEN WHERE THE MOTHER IS PRESENT WITH HER YOUNG. If feeling compelled to defend her offspring, a mother raccoon or skunk can be dangerous. If the single remaining entryway to a den is closed off with the babies in it and the mother is absent, the mother will stop at nothing to return to the young. She can cause severe damage to the building by chewing, clawing and/or digging her way back to her babies. In addition to the noise and destruction these activities cause, they are extremely inhumane. If a mother is unsuccessful in returning to the den, the infant carcass can ultimately cause problems such as attracting rodents and other scavengers.
A NOTE OF CAUTION:
Before you seal up cracks and crevices, be sure no animals will be trapped inside your home. When you are closing a hole, a good way to ensure that premises are empty before sealing it is to sprinkle a layer of flour on the area outside the opening. Once you see a set of footprints in the flour that face away from the opening, you know your tenant is out and about, and it is safe to proceed. You should avoid sealing holes in the spring and summer when animals are raising their offspring, unless you are absolutely certain that there are no babies inside. If you cannot be certain, wait to take action until any possible youngsters are grown, and have struck out on their own.
How to Discourage Raccoons and Skunks in and Around the Yard
If raccoons or skunks are digging up your lawn in pursuit of insects, spread cayenne pepper over the area and install several pinwheels to scare them.
If the unwanted raccoon or skunk crawls through grass, spray the grass lightly with vegetable oil. The fastidious creatures do not like to get their coats oily.
Secure all garbage cans with “Bungee cords.” And use metal garbage cans—they are impervious to chewing. If possible, leave trashcans inside except on collection day.
Rubber snakes or 18 inch pieces of black hose placed near the area are effective because they capitalize on the raccoon/skunk’s fear of their natural predator. (Do not suspend rubber snakes from a roof or tree, as snakes do not naturally hang.)
Full ponds are very appealing to raccoons. Further, a pond with fish is an open invitation to most wild animals. Covering the pond with heavy gauge wire cloth may solve the problem. Another possibility is to surround the pond in the evening with pinwheels or string with aluminum foil strips. Remember that these are only suggestions. The love affair raccoons have with ponds is a passionate one.
Bury several empty pop bottles (mouth up) in the ground. As wind blows over them, they create an eerie sound inaudible to humans but very annoying to raccoons and skunks.
On nights when the moon is full, fill a large clear glass jar or jug with water and place it in the area favored by the raccoon or skunk. Water reflected in moonlight frightens the normally bold raccoon.
Remove all pet food, especially at night. If your neighbors are leaving pet food out as well, ask for their cooperation in this matter.
Wild animals are suspicious of moving things—from string or a clothing line strung along a fence, hang strips of cloth or aluminum foil. These will frighten the animal and encourage her to leave the area.
Turn on spotlights at night. Because they are nocturnal, raccoons and skunks will be both confused and annoyed.
One of our supporters called to give us this tip: after attaching balloons to her fence, she found that the objects frightened the raccoons who gave up their midnight visits to her garden.
If the raccoon or skunk is trapped in a dumpster or similar container, leave a large stick in the container as an exit. Leave the area and then come back and check later to make sure the animal has climbed out.
Prevention
Remove or cover possible food sources. Seal food in tightly closed containers of glass or metal.
Screen all attic, porch, and foundation vents with heavy–duty wire mesh.
Professionally cap chimneys or cover with heavy gauge hardware cloth.
Hardware cloth bent into an ‘L’ shape will discourage tunneling under repairs.
Close off passages to areas beneath porches or other crawl spaces.
Prune or remove tree limbs hanging over the building; cut back overgrown vines clinging to walls and eaves.
Use pet–doors at your own risk. If conventional ones are used, bolt them tightly at night, or purchase an electronic pet–door, designed to open only for your pets.
Remove unnecessary outdoor clutter such as old newspaper, paper bags and woodpiles.
Ideas that do not Work
Trapping and killing skunks or raccoons is illegal in many communities. Trapping and killing is also ineffective since the reason for the animals’ presence remains—e.g. habitat, food source, etc.
Trapping and relocating skunks or raccoons is also often a death sentence for them. Almost half of all raccoons who are relocated die within the first three months. It is also ineffective since the reason for the animals’ presence remains—e.g. habitat, food source, etc.
