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Use natural raccoon repellents to keep these animals away from your home, while also ensuring you seal all openings securely. Image credit: Tambako the Jaguar / Getty ImagesRaccoons are highly skilled creatures, able to open doors, windows, and even scale structures, which makes them a potential problem if you're not proactive about prevention.
At night, these nocturnal creatures roam gardens, garbage bins, dumpsters, and bird feeders—places commonly found around homes, where they can cause significant damage with their destructive tendencies.
If you're dealing with the aftermath of an unexpected nocturnal visit, using a raccoon repellent can help prevent them from returning.
What Kind of Damage Do Raccoons Cause?
Raccoons can inflict significant damage on your property. Inside a home, they may gain access to the attic by creating a hole in the roof. They are also capable of opening air ducts, breaking pipes, and removing insulation. Once inside, they may leave droppings behind.
Raccoons can be especially troublesome for chicken coops. They are known to be particularly destructive on farms, where they consume large amounts of crops and sometimes kill poultry by raiding coops, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.
Effective Animal Repellents to Keep Raccoons Away
There are various household items that raccoons dislike, which can help keep them out of your yard and home. However, before using them, make sure to seal any openings in your house, such as vents, windows, loose siding, and soffits, through which raccoons might be entering.
Consider building a "floppy-top" wire mesh fence or a wire mesh cover to prevent raccoons from entering your vegetable garden or ornamental pond [source: Fischer]. Once your outdoor area is secured, try using one of these raccoon deterrents.
- Ammonia: Place a bowl of ammonia in your fireplace to discourage raccoons from using the chimney. (Be sure to install a chimney cap after the raccoons are gone.) You can also soak rags in ammonia, tie them into balls, and place them wherever raccoons are residing. Re-soak the balls when necessary.
- Spices: Scatter powerful spices such as cinnamon, ground black pepper, or dried hot pepper around your yard. These irritate raccoons' sense of smell, prompting them to seek a more comfortable location [source: Fischer].
- Peppers: Make a raccoon repellent spray by boiling two quarts (about two liters) of water with a tablespoon of cayenne pepper, several hot peppers, and an onion for 20 minutes. You can add hot sauce if desired. Strain the mixture and spray it around your house, yard, vegetable gardens, plants, and trash cans. Reapply the spray every two to three days and after it rains [source: Fischer].
- Sprinklers and lights: Use motion-activated sprinklers or lights to deter raccoons [source: OWREN].
- Sound: Try using a loud radio to repel raccoons, as long as it doesn't disturb your neighbors.
Are Raccoons Afraid of Coyotes?
Some people recommend using coyote urine to ward off raccoons and protect your home. The idea is that spraying areas with the strong scent of coyote urine will cause raccoons to avoid the area, as they fear their predators.
A recent study found that raccoons appeared unaffected by the presence of coyotes or other animals like deer. Researchers at North Carolina State University observed raccoons and coyotes foraging together without any issues.
"Raccoons don’t seem to be cautious around coyotes when observed on camera. Their activities overlap, indicating that coyotes aren't hunting raccoons, as they’re not preying on them," explained Chris Moorman, a professor at the university’s Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources.
Other Strategies to Prevent Raccoons From Damaging Your Property
Repellents may not be entirely effective unless you take comprehensive measures. Here are a few tips to help secure your home and keep raccoons away.
- Seal entry points. Prevent raccoons from entering by sealing any gaps in your attic or other vulnerable areas of your home.
- Secure your garbage bins. Since raccoons can open trash cans, use something like bungee cords to tightly secure them. Alternatively, consider putting your trash out in the morning rather than at night.
- Remove food sources. Raccoons are attracted to food like fruits and vegetables. Ensure fallen fruits in your yard are removed to avoid luring them in.
- Consider pest control. You can also seek assistance from a pest control service, especially one using humane traps, to handle your raccoon problem.
