Yes, raccoons frequently live under decks. A deck provides a dark, dry, and secluded space that perfectly mimics a natural den, making it an ideal hiding spot and a popular place for mother raccoons to raise their kits.
To get rid of raccoons under your deck, humanely harass the mother and her kits by placing bright lights, loud radios, and ammonia-soaked rags near the den for a few days. After they leave, permanently block all entry points with buried 1/4-inch heavy-duty wire mesh (L-shaped) to prevent them from returning.
Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, with peak activity occurring between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., although they are highly active throughout the entire night from dusk until dawn. They are most likely to be spotted foraging near food sources, such as garbage cans or creek beds, during these hours, or during crepuscular (dusk/dawn) periods.
Leaving a standard porch light on overnight is not an effective way to keep raccoons away. While raccoons are nocturnal and naturally avoid bright light, they are highly adaptable. They will quickly get used to a steady porch light and can easily continue foraging or cause damage undeterred.
Yes, raccoons are highly likely to return. Scaring them off at night only provides a temporary fix. Because they are intelligent, adaptable survivors driven by food, they will quickly realize the threat wasn't permanent and come back to your property.
Raccoons absolutely despise strong, pungent smells (like ammonia and hot peppers), the sensation of loose textures on their paws, and loud, sudden disruptions. Because they are highly sensitive creatures that rely heavily on their sense of smell and touch, you can use these natural aversions to deter them from your yard.
Raccoons are mostly solitary, but they frequently live in small groups of 2 to 8 individuals. The exact number depends on their age, sex, and the season:
Raccoons do not sleep in the same place every night. They are highly nomadic and opportunistic creatures. Within their established home territory, they frequently rotate between several temporary resting spots—sometimes moving to a brand-new den every few days.
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. Remove any wood that was used for a den and burn it outside to destroy roundworm eggs. Keep ponds at least 3 feet deep.
Raccoons don't attack dogs for no reason, but they can be very aggressive at defending themselves. They are equipped with sharp teeth and claws that can do grievous injury to a dog. A raccoon may even be able to kill a small dog.
Treat raccoons as unpredictable wild animals. Never feed, touch, or approach them. Getting too close—or trying to corner, corner-trap, or handle them yourself—greatly increases the risk of being bitten, which can expose you to serious diseases like rabies.
Raccoons typically stay in one specific den for anywhere from 1 to 3 days, moving frequently between a network of 4 to 6 safe resting spots within their territory. However, their duration depends heavily on their nesting habits:
Raccoons are most active during the spring and early summer (April through June). During this time, mothers are nursing their young and foraging heavily for extra calories, making them highly visible. Males also travel long distances during the January through March mating season.
Raccoons love living under decks, especially when the boards are close to or touching the ground because it gives them a sense of safety and shelter. If your deck is raised with open sides, it's less likely a raccoon will choose it as a home.
Yes, raccoons will relentlessly return to the same places. They have a strong homing instinct and will travel miles to get back to familiar territory.
Dawn dish soap alone does not deter raccoons. However, it is commonly used as a surfactant (a binder) in DIY repellent recipes. The soap helps strong, irritating scents stick to plants, grass, or surfaces so the raccoon's sensitive nose can pick them up.
Several everyday human foods are highly toxic to raccoons, primarily affecting their heart, kidneys, and blood. The most dangerous foods include chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins, and avocados.
To get rid of raccoons under your deck, humanely harass the mother and her kits by placing bright lights, loud radios, and ammonia-soaked rags near the den for a few days. After they leave, permanently block all entry points with buried 1/4-inch heavy-duty wire mesh (L-shaped) to prevent them from returning.
Raccoons are primarily crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and nocturnal (active at night). They occasionally venture out in the daytime, but that does not mean that they are diseased. Raccoons often adjust their feeding schedules, especially in spring when rearing their young.
When a raccoon sees a person, its instinct is usually to freeze, stare, and then flee to the nearest hiding spot. However, their behavior changes depending on whether they are wild, habituated to humans, or feel trapped or threatened.
Raccoons are notoriously difficult to deter because they are highly intelligent, incredibly adaptable, and prolific breeders. Their dexterous paws allow them to open complex latches, while their strong survival instincts and memory mean they will quickly return to your property if reliable food and shelter remain accessible.
Raccoons primarily have their babies, known as kits, in the spring, with most births occurring in April and May. However, depending on the climate and the individual mother, baby season can span from March through June.
A raccoon's territory (home range) varies widely depending on the environment, ranging from just 7 to 50 acres in cities and suburbs, to as much as 3 to 20 square miles (1,900 to 12,800 acres) in rural or prairie habitats.
Humans are the primary cause of raccoon mortality through hunting, trapping, and vehicle collisions. In the wild, their main animal predators are coyotes. Other significant natural predators include bobcats, cougars, fishers, wolves, and large birds of prey like the great horned owl, which typically target smaller or vulnerable young.