How to Keep Raccoons Away from Your Yard

Raccoons can be a nuisance in your yard, and they can cause a lot of damage. They can dig up your garden, raid your garbage cans, and even cause structural damage to your home. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep raccoons away from your yard. In this article, we’ll discuss how to keep raccoons away from your yard and how to prevent them from coming back.

Overview

In this article, we’ll discuss the following topics:

What Attracts Raccoons to Your Yard?

Raccoons are attracted to your yard for a variety of reasons. They are attracted to food sources, such as pet food, birdseed, and garbage cans. They are also attracted to water sources, such as ponds, pools, and birdbaths. Finally, they are attracted to shelter, such as sheds, decks, and attics.

How to Keep Raccoons Away from Your Yard

There are a few simple steps you can take to keep raccoons away from your yard.

Secure Your Garbage Cans

The first step is to secure your garbage cans. Raccoons are attracted to garbage cans because they are a source of food. To keep raccoons away, make sure your garbage cans are securely closed and that the lids are tightly sealed. You can also use bungee cords or straps to keep the lids closed.

Remove Food Sources

The next step is to remove any food sources that may be attracting raccoons. This includes pet food, birdseed, and other food sources. Make sure to store pet food in a secure container and keep birdseed in a bird feeder that is out of reach of raccoons.

Remove Water Sources

Raccoons are also attracted to water sources, such as ponds, pools, and birdbaths. To keep raccoons away, make sure to remove any standing water sources from your yard.

Secure Your Home

How to keep raccoons away from your yard?

Finally, make sure to secure your home. Raccoons are attracted to shelter, such as sheds, decks, and attics. To keep raccoons away, make sure to seal any openings or cracks in your home and keep your doors and windows closed.

Preventing Raccoons from Coming Back

Once you’ve taken the steps to keep raccoons away from your yard, you’ll want to make sure they don’t come back. To do this, you’ll want to take a few additional steps.

Install Motion-Activated Lights

Motion-activated lights can be a great way to deter raccoons from coming back. Raccoons are nocturnal, so they will be less likely to come back if they are scared away by bright lights.

Use Repellents

You can also use repellents to keep raccoons away. Repellents come in a variety of forms, such as sprays, granules, and ultrasonic devices. Repellents are designed to make your yard less attractive to raccoons, so they will be less likely to come back.

Hire a Professional

If you’re having trouble keeping raccoons away, you may want to consider hiring a professional. A professional can help you identify the source of the problem and come up with a plan to keep raccoons away for good.

Pro Tips for Keeping Raccoons Away

Here are a few pro tips for keeping raccoons away from your yard:

  • Keep your yard clean and free of debris, such as fallen fruit and nuts.
  • Trim trees and shrubs to reduce hiding places for raccoons.
  • Install a fence around your yard to keep raccoons out.
  • Install motion-activated lights around your yard to scare away raccoons.
  • Use repellents to make your yard less attractive to raccoons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep raccoons away from my garbage cans?

The best way to keep raccoons away from your garbage cans is to make sure they are securely closed and that the lids are tightly sealed. You can also use bungee cords or straps to keep the lids closed.

Do repellents work to keep raccoons away?

Yes, repellents can be effective in keeping raccoons away. Repellents come in a variety of forms, such as sprays, granules, and ultrasonic devices. Repellents are designed to make your yard less attractive to raccoons, so they will be less likely to come back.