Buzz
Though raccoons appear adorable, they can wreak havoc in your garden while scavenging for food at night and might carry diseases like rabies. If you observe raccoons nearby, deploying traps offers a straightforward method to capture and relocate them elsewhere. Creating a live trap is straightforward with some basic tools and can be reused if the raccoon issue continues.
Procedures
Constructing a Timber Enclosure Trap
Shape plywood to fit your enclosure. Opt for 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) plywood designed for outdoor conditions to prevent mold or decay. Employ a handsaw or circular saw to shape plywood according to your enclosure's dimensions. Shape 1 piece measuring 12 in × 22 in (30 cm × 56 cm), 1 piece measuring 12 in × 12 in (30 cm × 30 cm), and 3 pieces measuring 12 in × 24 in (30 cm × 61 cm).
- The 3 pieces measuring 12 in × 24 in (30 cm × 61 cm) will serve as the trap's base and walls.
- The 12 in × 22 in (30 cm × 56 cm) piece will function as the trap's lid with an allowance for the trap door.
- The 12 in × 12 in (30 cm × 30 cm) piece will act as the rear panel.
Affix 2 wooden pieces to the box's base for reinforcement. Place one of the 12 in × 24 in (30 cm × 61 cm) boards flatly and measure 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) inward from the longer edges. Mark the points with a pencil, and position 2 wood pieces measuring 3⁄4 × 3⁄4 × 22 in (1.9 × 1.9 × 55.9 cm) inside the markings. Utilize 3 screws for each wooden piece and an electric screwdriver to secure them to the base.
- These wood pieces serve as additional support to fortify your trap box.
- Ensure one end of each wooden support aligns with a short side of the base, allowing sufficient space for the trap door to close.
Trim metal sheets using an angle grinder. Employ a metal-cutting disc on your angle grinder for cutting precision. Cut one sheet measuring 10 in × 11 in (25 cm × 28 cm) for the trap door and another 9 in × 3 in (22.9 cm × 7.6 cm) for the triggering mechanism.
- Always wear protective eyewear when working with metal to prevent eye injuries.
- If the metal edges are sharp, use a grinding attachment on your angle grinder to smoothen them, ensuring the raccoon's safety inside the trap.
Drill 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) holes near a corner on each metal plate. Utilize a 1⁄8–1⁄4 in (0.32–0.64 cm) metal drill bit. Apply steady pressure with a slow-speed drill to penetrate the steel. Create holes in one corner of both metal plates to thread a wire, establishing the trap's trigger.
Mount the 9 in × 3 in (22.9 cm × 7.6 cm) metal plate onto the base using hinges. Secure 1-2 hinge sets to the underside of the smaller metal sheet. Position the drilled hole at the top left or right corner. Affix the hinges to the trap's base, positioning it approximately 5 in (13 cm) from the rear wall.
- This metal sheet serves as the trap's activation trigger when a raccoon steps on it.
Fasten the box trap's side and top panels.
Utilize the base supports as your screwing reference points. Insert 3-4 screws per side using an electric screwdriver to attach the trap's walls. Once the walls are firmly in place, align the top wooden panel flush with the rear wall of the trap.
Pro Tip: To visually inspect your trap for raccoons, craft a 4 in × 6 in (10 cm × 15 cm) viewing window in a wall segment and secure it with chicken wire. Affix the wire using staples spaced 1 in (2.5 cm) apart.
Divide a 20 in (51 cm) PVC pipe lengthwise. Employ an angle grinder or circular saw for precision. Secure the pipe in place and cut longitudinally. This yields two 20 in (51 cm) pipe sections.
- The PVC aids in smooth door operation without hindrance.
Secure the halved PVC pipes to the enclosure walls, positioning a metal door between them. Align the pipe sections to the trap's front, ensuring their curved sides contact the walls. Use 2-3 screws per pipe section for attachment. Insert the 10 in × 11 in (25 cm × 28 cm) metal panel between the PVC sections to form a door. Ensure the drilled hole's position is at the door's bottom.
- Check the door's smooth descent within the pipes. If any screws obstruct, adjust and secure them flush inside the pipe.
Link an 8- to 10-gauge wire across the two metal plates. Thread the wire through the 9 in × 3 in (22.9 cm × 7.6 cm) panel's hole, wrapping it securely. Pass the wire through the door's lower hole, leaving it protruding by 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm).
- Obtain wire from your local hardware store.
Creating a Trash Bin Trap
Position a trash bin adjacent to a picnic table. Opt for either a metal or plastic bin with a smooth interior. Align the bin's edge with the table's edge, ensuring similar heights. If lacking a picnic table, choose a robust structure matching the bin's height that raccoons can climb onto.
- If a picnic table isn't available, select an alternative sturdy structure of equivalent height for raccoons to access.
Add 6 in (15 cm) of water to the trash bin. Utilize a hose to fill the bin with water. Maintain a 6 in (15 cm) water level to prevent the bin from tipping and to hinder raccoon escape attempts.
- The water volume prevents tipping without harming or drowning the raccoon.
- The water's weight impedes raccoons from leaping out or toppling the bin.
Position a board halfway over the bin's opening. Place an 18 in (46 cm) long 2 in × 4 in (5.1 cm × 10.2 cm) board on the picnic table. Extend the board halfway over the bin's opening. When a raccoon steps on this board, it shifts the weight, causing the raccoon to tumble into the bin.
Luring and Trapping Raccoons
Set your trap with bait. Opt for bright foods like marshmallows or eggs, which are more visible to nocturnal creatures. Other effective baits include apples, fish, and dry cat food. For box traps, position bait against the rear wall. For the trash bin trap, place bait at the board's end over the bin.
- Commercial raccoon bait is also available at outdoor supply stores or online.
- Place bait close to dusk to avoid it being consumed by birds.
Inspect your traps twice daily. Examine your trap during the morning and early evening for captured raccoons. As raccoons are primarily active at night, they often enter traps during these hours. Once a raccoon is trapped, relocate it to a different location outside your property.
- Replace bait every 2 days if it remains untouched.
- If unintended animals are caught, decide whether to release them on-site or relocate them.
Relocate the raccoon at least 3 mi (4.8 km) from capture site. After trapping a raccoon, transport it to a remote area at least 3 mi (4.8 km) away. When releasing the raccoon, position the trap away from yourself and lift the door for the raccoon to exit safely.
- If using a trash bin trap, secure the bin's lid before transport.
- Consider wearing gloves to minimize bite risks.
Caution: Raccoons may harbor diseases like rabies, salmonella, and E. Coli. Exercise caution when handling or transporting trapped raccoons.
Insights
Precautions
- Steer clear of PVC hand-catch traps due to their inhumane nature towards raccoons.
- Ensure trapping is permitted in your locale before deploying your traps.
Essentials
Constructing a Timber Box Trap
- 1 piece of plywood measuring 12 × 24 × 1⁄2 in (30.5 × 61.0 × 1.3 cm)
- 1 piece of plywood measuring 12 × 22 × 1⁄2 in (30.5 × 55.9 × 1.3 cm)
- 1 piece of plywood measuring 12 × 12 × 1⁄2 in (30.5 × 30.5 × 1.3 cm)
- 2 pieces of plywood measuring 11 × 24 × 1⁄2 in (27.9 × 61.0 × 1.3 cm)
- 2 pieces of wood measuring 3⁄4 × 3⁄4 × 22 in (1.9 × 1.9 × 55.9 cm)
- Handsaw or circular saw
- Electric screwdriver
- Screws
- Angle grinder
- 9 in × 3 in (22.9 cm × 7.6 cm) metal plate
- 2 hinges
- 8- to 10-gauge wire
- 10 in × 11 in (25 cm × 28 cm) metal plate
- 20 in (51 cm) PVC pipe
Creating a Trash Bin Trap
- Trash bin
- Outdoor dining table
- Garden hose
- Wooden board measuring 2 × 4 × 18 in (5.1 × 10.2 × 45.7 cm)
Luring and Trapping Raccoons
- Marshmallows, fish-flavored cat food, or fresh apples
