Does Epsom salt really keep raccoons away?

Author: Madisen Frami  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

Epsom salt is a double benefit because it will deter raccoons, but it is an excellent fertilizer. Sprinkle some Epsom salt around garbage cans and gardens to keep them out.

Does Epsom salt keep raccoons away?

Continuing in the vein of undesirable scents, Epsom salt is another ingredient that keeps raccoons away. For the most effective protection, sprinkle Epsom salt both inside and surrounding your vegetable garden. Racoons will generally keep a safe distance from that smell, avoiding your garden and coops.

What smell do raccoons hate the most?

Hot pepper, garlic, peppermint oil, onion, and Epsom salt are a few scents used to repel raccoons. Read on to see how you can discourage these pests from entering your house and make sure that they're out for good.

What is the best repellent for raccoons?

Types of Raccoon Repellents
  • Vinegar. Raccoons hate the smell of vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar. ...
  • Coyote Urine. This can be purchased online or from a hunting store. ...
  • Ammonia. Ammonia is a chemical contained in urine that raccoons don't like one bit. ...
  • Cayenne Pepper. ...
  • Essential Oils. ...
  • Sonic Deterrent Devices.

What animals does Epsom salt repel?

The salts are a magnesium sulfate compound that has an acrid, bitter smell that repels many animals, including rodents like rats, mice, squirrels, rabbits, moles, and voles, as well as mammals like skunks, raccoons, possums, and groundhogs.

What scent will keep raccoons away?

What does Epsom salt keep away?

Epsom Salt and Garden Pests

of water may act as a deterrent to beetles and other garden pests. Mix the solution in a large bucket or other container and then apply the well-dissolved mixture to foliage with a pump sprayer. Many gardeners believe that the solution not only deters pests, but may kill many on contact.

Does Epsom salt keep squirrels away?

Epsom salt

Sprinkle Epsom salts onto your trash can lid or around the areas that pests like to burrow into or dig around. Epsom salts will deter most any pests, including raccoons, mice, and squirrels among others.”

How to get rid of raccoons permanently?

How Do I Permanently Get Rid of Raccoons?
  1. Cover and secure your trash cans so raccoons cannot access the contents.
  2. Remove any possible food sources like cat or dog food, compost piles, and trash.
  3. Treat your lawn to remove grubs.
  4. Block access to hiding places like under a deck or entrances to the crawl space and attic.

What food is poisonous to raccoons?

Be sure to keep these foods well away from raccoons and other local wildlife:
  • Chocolate, Cocoa and Coffee. Like dogs, raccoons cannot eat chocolate, cocoa or coffee. ...
  • Avocado and Guacamole. ...
  • Onions, Garlic and Spices. ...
  • Processed Sugars.

How do farmers keep racoons away?

A fence can help protect crops, but remember that raccoons are good climbers. The most effective fence to exclude raccoons is electric. Use a 2-wire electric fence, placing wires 6 and 12 inches above ground. Set the fence on a timer, running it only after dark.

How to scare away raccoons at night?

As nocturnal animals, most raccoons prefer to stay out of the spotlight. Bright lights that resemble daylight can scare raccoons away. The Urban Wildlife Rescue Organization also suggests using a hot sauce repellent.

Does Irish Spring soap keep raccoons away?

Raccoons use their superb sense of smell to forage for food, and some scents are really effective at keeping them away. The ingredients in Irish Spring soap are generally effective in keeping raccoons and other small mammals out of your yard.

What do raccoons fear the most?

They dislike bright lights: Raccoons are nocturnal animals, and bright lights can disrupt their natural cycle. They hate strong smells: Certain odors repel raccoons, including ammonia, hot pepper, and cinnamon. They avoid loud noises: Loud sounds can startle them and make them run away.

What will raccoons not walk on?

Raccoons don't like to walk on plastic

Because their paws are so sensitive, raccoons don't like to walk on a double layer of plastic. Tape two painter's sheets or garbage bags over the latrine area for a couple of weeks.

Does Epsom salt get rid of rodents?

Epsom salt is a great choice for controlling rodent populations as it is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly approach. Deterring rodents with this method is a simple task. All it takes is positioning the salt strategically and creating a protective boundary around the area.

Does pine sol keep raccoons away?

Keep Pests Away

Do you have a raccoon problem? Try mixing a 50-50 solution of full strength Pine Sol and warm water, and spraying your garbage cans with it. The pine smell is repulsive to most animals.

What is the best raccoon repellent?

Raccoon Control with Smell Repellents
  • Peppers, especially hot and spicy.
  • Garlic.
  • Vinegar.
  • Citrus peels.
  • Ammonia.
  • Mothballs.
  • Epsom salt.
  • Coyote urine.

What does vinegar do to raccoons?

No, raccoons generally dislike the strong smell of vinegar. The pungent odor can irritate their sensitive noses, encouraging them to avoid treated areas. While vinegar is not harmful to raccoons, its scent is enough to discourage them from lingering.

What not to do with raccoons?

Here are some things to do, and some things not to do, to help keep raccoons wild and minimize conflicts:
  • NEVER feed raccoons or other wildlife (other than birds)
  • NEVER approach or touch raccoons.
  • Don't leave bowls of pet food or water outside unattended.
  • Keep garbage in sturdy containers with tight fitting lids.

Do coffee grounds repel raccoons?

The scent of used coffee grounds is also great for repelling raccoons. Using it is as simple as spreading the coffee grounds around areas frequented by raccoons. In case the smell wears off, keep replacing the repellent with newly used coffee grounds until the raccoons are fully gone.

Does human urine deter raccoons?

Since urine can smell similar to ammonia, it is thought by some to have a similar repellent effect for some raccoons. Furthermore, the smell of ammonia may indicate to the raccoon that the area and/or food source has been compromised.

What kills raccoons with home remedies?

Cayenne Pepper Solution

Make a solution by boiling cayenne pepper (1 cup) and 4-‐5 Habanero chilies in water. Allow it to cool and spray it around the main entries or holes from where the raccoons might come inside. You can also apply a coating of the solution made of cayenne pepper and water outside the garbage can.

What pests does Epsom salt deter?

Applying Epsom Salt As A Solution

The solution will burn the slugs and ward them off your garden, along with beetles.

Does Vicks Vapor Rub repel squirrels?

If you're tired of squirrels breaking into your bird feeders and stealing all the bird food, try using some Vicks VapoRub to alleviate your woes. Squirrels are repelled by the scent of the ointment, so spreading it around the area where you have the feeder may deter the squirrels.

Can you use Miracle-Gro and Epsom salt together?

To grow huge flowers (and lots of veggies), I use Epsom salt for my garden. Mix 6 tablespoons Epsom salts and 6 tablespoons Miracle-Gro fertilizer in the hand sprayer attached to my garden hose, says Birds & Blooms reader Juanita Scalia.

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