What not to do with raccoons?

Author: Monserrate Corkery  |  Last update: Friday, October 3, 2025

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.

What not to do around raccoons?

Never try to catch or directly handle a raccoon.

A panicked raccoon may run further inside your house and may cause damage. Contain pets in rooms away from the raccoon and close doors to other parts of the house. Open doors and windows near the raccoon that lead outside.

Is it bad to have a raccoon in your yard?

In search of warmth and shelter, they can cause damage to your home as they dig and scratch their way in. If they get comfortable, they'll transfer their litter to your property. Raccoons can spread illness, and not only via stray rabies bites. Their feces can contain diseases, which can spread to pets and humans.

What do raccoons hate the most?

Since raccoons have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find convenient food sources, one can take advantage of this feature by using scents they hate. Hot pepper, garlic, peppermint oil, onion, and Epsom salt are a few scents used to repel raccoons.

What smell will keep raccoons away?

  • Citrus: The smell of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits is often off-putting to raccoons.
  • Vinegar: The strong odor of vinegar can deter raccoons from an area.
  • Peppermint: The scent of peppermint oil is another repellent that can keep raccoons away.

What not to do when dealing with a raccoon home invasion

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 to scare away raccoons at night?

Easily Deter Raccoons with These Tips
  1. Homemade Pepper Spray. Raccoons aren't fond of spicy smells, so a cayenne pepper spray can be an easy and effective raccoon repellent. ...
  2. Epsom Salt Sprinkle. ...
  3. Fix the Fence. ...
  4. Take Away the Trash. ...
  5. Raccoon Deterrent Lights. ...
  6. Deter Other Predators.

What is raccoons biggest fear?

Raccoons stay away from animals that are their natural predators. These natural predators include; bobcats, coyotes, the great horned owl. You may have picked up a pattern here- raccoon predators are typically large.

What is the best homemade raccoon repellent?

Scatter Or Spray Pepper Around Your Home

By mixing cayenne pepper and onion in boiling water, you can create a natural raccoon repellant. You can also add hot sauce to the mixture. To be effective, you'll need to spray your yard and house baseline at least twice a week and any time it rains.

Will a porch light keep raccoons away?

Do Deck and Patio Lights Keep Raccoons Away? Deck and patio lights can help keep raccoons away, as they add an extra layer of security to your property.

Does peeing in your yard keep raccoons away?

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 does it mean when a raccoon is in your yard at night?

It is pretty normal but might scare you. Raccoons are nocturnal beings, meaning they mostly sleep during the day and roam at night. So, if you spot a raccoon living in your backyard at night, it is as simple as spotting a cat or dog in the U.S. Still, you must be careful because they often carry rabies.

What does raccoon poop look like?

Raccoon droppings are long and thin with rounded ends. They are about 2-3 inches long and half an inch wide. They are dark because raccoons eat a lot of plants. You can see food bits like berries and seeds in them.

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 sounds do raccoons hate?

5 Noises That Will Scare Raccoons Away From Properties
  • Pots and Pans. If you hit pots and pans together, or strike them with a wooden spoon, they make a loud clanging noise that is likely to scare off any wild animals in your yard, including raccoons. ...
  • Shouting. ...
  • Radio. ...
  • Wind Chimes. ...
  • Motion Activated Noise Systems.

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.

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 does Epsom salt do to raccoons?

Because raccoons have a keen sense of smell, which they use to locate food, you may take advantage of this by choosing fragrances that they dislike. Raccoons are repelled by aromas such as hot pepper, garlic, peppermint oil, onion, and Epsom salt.

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 is a raccoon's worst enemy?

Raccoon predators include cougars, bobcats, coyotes, and domestic dogs. Large owls and eagles will prey on young raccoons. The average life span of a raccoon in the wild is 2 to 3 years; captive raccoons have lived 13.

Will raccoons come back if you scare them?

Additionally, raccoons are known for their intelligence and persistence. They quickly adapt to changes in their environment and can remember where they've found food or shelter in the past. This means that even if you manage to scare them away once, they may return if they know there's a reward waiting for them.

What time do raccoons come out at night?

Raccoons are nocturnal creatures. They usually sleep during daylight, and spend their nights foraging for food. Most often, raccoons leave their dens soon after sunset. They head straight for the nearest food source.

How do you annoy a raccoon?

Two scents that raccoons find unpleasant are ammonia and mothballs. Pour a small amount of ammonia on your garbage, or spread mothballs around the outside of your trash cans to deter animals from getting too close. Scaring Off Raccoons: Raccoons are nocturnal animals, so they prowl around at night.

Why do raccoons keep coming back to my house at night?

The main cause of raccoons returning to your attic is the scent they leave behind. Their return can also be linked to easy access, a cozy environment, and food. Raccoons can get in if there's even a tiny opening. Closing off these ways is key to stopping them from coming back.

How do you deal with nuisance raccoons?

RACCOONS
  1. Secure all trash cans with tight lids and bungee cords. ...
  2. Do not leave any pet bowls, food and/or water, outside overnight. ...
  3. If you have a bird feeder, equip it with a baffle, or switch to a raccoon proof bird feeder.
  4. Also, with bird feeders, clean up the ground around the bird feeder or use a seed catcher.

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