Why are raccoons so hard to get rid of?

Author: Prof. Araceli Russel DDS  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 5, 2025

While they have a reputation for being cute, raccoons are also known for their intelligence, agility, and curious nature. All of these attributes make it hard to get rid of them once they're on your property.

How do you permanently get rid of raccoons?

Call your local city animal control shelter. In most states, you cannot trap and remove raccoons without a trapping license from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. In that case, you will have to hire a raccoon removal specialist. That is always the best option for raccoon removal.

Are raccoons easy to get rid of?

Trapping usually solves the problem easily. The time needed to remove the problem depends on how many raccoons are causing the issue. A single male raccoon that is well accustomed to people can be caught in a single night. A small family group of mom and four juveniles can take a little longer.

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 are raccoons afraid of?

You can get rid of raccoons by taking advantage of a raccoon's fear of sharp, loud sounds. Sounds that scare raccoons include the following: Wind Chimes: The random clanging will scare raccoons away, but these intelligent animals will ignore the chimes unless you change the location and type of chimes regularly.

3 ways to get rid of raccoons fast

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.

What smell will keep raccoons away?

Raccoons can't bear the smell of ammonia and would leave the place immediately. Dip 5-‐6 tennis balls (as they will soak up ammonia well) and throw them at the place where you suspect them to live. You can also put a small dish of ammonia near garbage container to avert raccoons.

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 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.

Does Irish Spring 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 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.

Are raccoons revengeful?

These selfish critters can turn vengeful, aggressive, and territorial in an instant all to assert their dominance. Their tendency to act out makes interacting with others close to impossible. In a human home, raccoons often feel trapped—which can stir up extra agitation and hatred to fuel the fire.

How do you get rid of aggressive raccoons?

Try hot sauce or a capsaicin-based repellant around the perimeter of what you're trying to protect. Install motion-activated lights and sprinklers. Set up a battery-operated radio tuned to an all-night talk show and turn it on for a few nights to drive raccoons away.

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.

Why do raccoons keep coming back?

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.

What is a strong raccoon repellent?

Raccoon Control with Smell Repellents
  • Peppermint oil.
  • Onions.
  • Peppers, especially hot and spicy.
  • Garlic.
  • Vinegar.
  • Citrus peels.
  • Ammonia.
  • Mothballs.

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.

What do onions do to raccoons?

Onions, Garlic, And Spices

While onions and spices are safe and even beneficial to humans, they are toxic to many animals. This is because the disulfides and sulfoxides found in onions and many popular spices can induce anemia and mortality in tiny carnivores at the blood level.

Will raccoons go away if you stop feeding them?

Raccoons are capable of traveling great distances to find food and territory. If you stop feeding, raccoon populations will slowly adjust to the level that can be accommodated by the available natural habitat.

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.

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.

What home remedy gets rid of raccoons?

Scatter Or Spray Pepper Around Your Home

Spices like cinnamon, black pepper or cayenne pepper bother a raccoon's sense of smell, forcing it to relocate to a more livable area. 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.

Does Pine Sol get rid of raccoons?

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 noises 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.

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.

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