How to Keep Raccoons Out of Your Yard
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Raccoons can be a nuisance in your yard, digging through your garbage, raiding your garden, and even causing damage to your property. While it may be tempting to try to get rid of them, the best way to keep raccoons out of your yard is to take preventive measures. In this article, we’ll discuss the best ways to keep raccoons away from your yard and home.
Summary
- Remove food sources from your yard, such as garbage, pet food, and bird seed.
- Securely store your garbage in a bin with a tight-fitting lid.
- Install motion-activated lights or sprinklers to scare away raccoons.
- Block off access points to your home, such as chimneys, vents, and attics.
- Use repellents, such as ammonia, to deter raccoons from your yard.
Remove Food Sources
The first step in keeping raccoons out of your yard is to remove any potential food sources. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of any easy meal they can find. This means that they will be attracted to garbage, pet food, bird seed, and other sources of food. To prevent raccoons from coming into your yard, make sure to keep these food sources away from your property.
Securely Store Garbage
If you have garbage in your yard, make sure to store it in a secure bin with a tight-fitting lid. Raccoons are very resourceful and can easily open up a loose-fitting lid. If possible, store your garbage in a shed or garage to make it even more difficult for raccoons to access.
Install Motion-Activated Lights or Sprinklers
Motion-activated lights and sprinklers can be a great way to deter raccoons from your yard. The sudden burst of light or water will startle raccoons and make them think twice about entering your property. Make sure to position the lights and sprinklers in areas where raccoons are likely to enter, such as near garbage cans or gardens.
Block Access Points
Raccoons can also gain access to your home by entering through chimneys, vents, and attics. To prevent this from happening, make sure to block off any potential access points. This can be done by installing chimney caps, vent covers, and other barriers.
Use Repellents
If you’re still having trouble keeping raccoons away from your yard, you can try using repellents. Ammonia is a popular choice, as the smell is unpleasant to raccoons and will deter them from entering your property. You can also try using other repellents, such as peppermint oil or cayenne pepper.
Pro Tip
If you’re having trouble keeping raccoons away from your yard, try installing a fence. A fence can be a great way to keep raccoons out of your yard, as they won’t be able to climb over or dig under it. Make sure to install the fence at least 6 feet high to prevent raccoons from jumping over it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to keep raccoons out of my yard?
The best way to keep raccoons out of your yard is to remove any potential food sources, securely store your garbage, install motion-activated lights or sprinklers, block off access points to your home, and use repellents.
Do raccoons eat pet food?
Yes, raccoons will eat pet food if it is left out in the open. To prevent this from happening, make sure to store your pet food in a secure container and keep it away from your yard.
