How to Prevent Raccoons in the Backyard
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Raccoons can be a nuisance in your backyard, getting into your garbage, raiding your garden, and making a mess of your property. But with a few simple steps, you can prevent raccoons from taking over your backyard. In this article, we’ll cover how to keep raccoons away from your property, including tips on making your yard less attractive to them, using deterrents, and more.
Make Your Yard Less Attractive to Raccoons
The first step in preventing raccoons from invading your backyard is to make it less attractive to them. Raccoons are attracted to food sources, so the best way to keep them away is to remove any potential food sources. Here are some tips for making your yard less attractive to raccoons:
- Secure your garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and keep them away from the house.
- Clean up any spilled birdseed or pet food.
- Keep pet food indoors and feed your pets only what they can eat in one sitting.
- Pick up fallen fruit from trees and remove any fruit-bearing plants from your yard.
- Remove any standing water from your yard, such as in birdbaths or kiddie pools.
- Trim back any tree branches that hang over your roof or near your windows.
Use Deterrents to Keep Raccoons Away
If you’ve already got raccoons in your yard, you may need to use deterrents to keep them away. There are a few different types of deterrents you can use, including:
- Motion-activated sprinklers: These devices detect movement and spray water at the intruder, scaring them away.
- Ultrasonic devices: These devices emit a high-pitched sound that is inaudible to humans but can be heard by animals, scaring them away.
- Ammonia-soaked rags: Ammonia has a strong smell that raccoons don’t like, so soaking rags in ammonia and placing them around your yard can help keep them away.
- Lights: Raccoons don’t like bright lights, so installing motion-activated lights around your yard can help keep them away.
Pro Tip
If you have a problem with raccoons in your yard, it’s best to call a professional wildlife removal service. They have the experience and expertise to safely and humanely remove the raccoons from your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What attracts raccoons to my yard? Raccoons are attracted to food sources, such as pet food, birdseed, fallen fruit, and standing water. They’re also attracted to dark, secluded areas, such as under decks or sheds.
- How do I keep raccoons away? The best way to keep raccoons away is to make your yard less attractive to them by removing potential food sources and using deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers, ultrasonic devices, ammonia-soaked rags, and lights.
- Should I call a professional to remove raccoons? Yes, it’s best to call a professional wildlife removal service if you have a problem with raccoons in your yard. They have the experience and expertise to safely and humanely remove the raccoons from your property.
Preventing raccoons from taking over your backyard can be a challenge, but with a few simple steps, you can keep them away. Start by making your yard less attractive to them by removing potential food sources and using deterrents. If you have a problem with raccoons, it’s best to call a professional wildlife removal service. With these tips, you can keep raccoons away from your property and enjoy your backyard in peace.
