There are many ways to deter raccoons. These top 3 raccoon deterrents will help discourage raccoons from invading your home. Effective raccoon control requires professional expertise. However, anyone can take some precautions by implementing the following suggestions to keep raccoons away.
1. Limit access to food. Trash cans are an easy source of food for raccoons. Purchase metal trash cans with tight fitting lids or large plastic bins that latch closed. If you already have raccoons prowling around your trash cans at night, place a cinder block on top of the lid or secure it with a bungee cord to make it more difficult to gain entry. If raccoons are knocking over your bins and creating a mess, try pouring 1/4 cup of ammonia over the garbage cans. The strong smell of ammonia will deter the animals from trying to open the bins. If possible, move the trash bins into a garage or shed until the morning of trash collection.
2. Limit access to shelter. Raccoons will often invade homes if they can find a warm quiet place to build their nests. Ensure that the entry points to your home are secured. Cap chimneys during the warmer months when it will not be in use. Seal any gaps around soffits, dormers, plumbing fixtures, and eaves. Ensure access points to crawl spaces are tightly shut. If you do have raccoons nesting in your home, call a professional, or use on of the raccoon repellents mentioned below.
3. Use raccoon repellents. There are several raccoon repellents on the market that can be purchased at most hardware or lawn and garden stores. You can also make your own deterrents using items you may already have in your home. Try one of these natural raccoon deterrents: &; Cut up a large yellow onion and spread the pieces where you think raccoons might frequent. The strong smell will deter raccoons from your home or garden.
4. Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the house or trash bins. The smell may keep them away, but sniffing in the pepper or tasting it will certainly deter them from the area.
5. Soak a bungie cord in hot sauce and use it to secure the lids on trash cans. If you are having problems with raccoons rummaging in your trash bins or knocking them over, hot sauce soaked cords can be an excellent deterrent.
• In a shallow dish, place a rag and soak it with ammonia. The pungent smell of ammonia will keep raccoons away. You can also use this method if you have raccoons nesting in crawl spaces, attics, or chimneys. Use caution and wear gloves when handling ammonia.