What Do Raccoons Hate?

Behind that cute masked face lies a determined forager and a potentially destructive burglar. When it comes to handling wild animals, there are hardly ever guarantees. If you’re determined to get rid of raccoons on your property, you can start with the ideas and techniques described here.

Raccoons are sort of adorable, yet understand this: If it really feels intimidated, a raccoon can be hazardous, particularly if it’s carrying an illness (e.g., rabies). Tread carefully, and bear in mind that there are experts trained to take care of raccoons and other creatures. Your local government probably includes an animal control division with field operations focused on aiding residents handle wildlife. Naturally, if you’ve been discouraged by repeated cases or really feel the need to get on the case quickly, continue reading to discover how to remove raccoons securely and successfully, whether they’re causing trouble under your roof or strictly outdoors. More facts on raccoon removal service Houston, TX.

Outdoors

Raccoons are scavengers; if they’re starving, even mere morsels of food left out in the open can entice them to your property. To get rid of a raccoon problem, for that reason, it is essential to keep discarded food waste out of sight and to the best degree possible, contain or mask its smell. Buy and use receptacles with lids that close snugly and lock into place. In addition, think about double-bagging any garbage that’s going to spend at the very least one night outdoors before your next scheduled garbage collection day.

Any type of food– even pet food– left outside can draw in raccoons. If you and your family like to cook and/or eat al fresco, always take the time to clean up later. Note that bleach works so well at eliminating food smells, you may also pour some over any type of garbage bags left outdoors in an unprotected receptacle.

Indoors

While raccoons can make a real mess of your backyard, strewing garbage in all directions over a surprisingly wide distance, they can also unleash greater mayhem inside your home, endangering your family’s health and wellness.

To get rid of raccoons inside, you might be tempted to utilize poisonous substances. Ethics aside, this may not be the wisest course to take, because if the poisonous substance works and the animal dies, you’ll be left with a noxious odor and a mess you surely won’t enjoy cleaning up– assuming you can also locate the dead raccoon and that it’s in an accessible location.

How do you make certain that raccoons venture out and in fact stay out? You have to figure out the animals’ entry point. Generally, raccoons enter through the eaves of the roof or in openings at the foundation level. When you’ve located the entry point, the next step is to make your house inhospitable.

Raccoons delight in the dark, so a strategically placed flashlight can be a deterrent. Due to the fact that they’re additionally put off by weird noises, playing a little radio might help keep them at bay. Finally, raccoons dislike the smell of ammonia, so leave a saucer filled with the stuff (or an ammonia-dipped cloth) near the creatures’ entrance. Within 48 hours, thanks to one or every one of the above techniques, the raccoons are most likely to vacate the properties.

As soon as you’re certain your site visitors have actually left the structure, the last step is to seal up the entry points and protect against return. In the next weeks and months, regularly walk your house’s perimeter to check for indicators of a pest visibility. Also, remain cautious about securing trash bags and tidying up after outdoor meals.

Plants That Are Prickly

Raccoons have sensitive feet. Because of this, they stay clear of walking on prickly plants. They will certainly avoid squashes like pumpkin. They will also avoid oriental poppies, cucumbers, “Kentucky Wonder” pole beans, and globe thistle.

Plants That Taste Bad

Raccoons have fragile palates and stay clear of spicy food, so growing Habanero chilies among the other garden plants will certainly provide raccoons a couple of hot surprises. They are likewise not keen on tomatoes or anything else in the Nightshade family, and will certainly leave these plants alone.

Plants That Smell Bad

There are some plants that raccoons just don’t such as the scent of. Several members of the mint family fall into this category, especially peppermint. They also don’t like garlic so growing garlic bulbs around yard beds and splashing garlic juice around should keep them away.

Protective Plant Pairings

Sweet corn is a significant target for raccoons, possibly because corn provides a high-calorie meal. Planting corn in the typical Native American style, with prickly post beans climbing the stalk and prickly pumpkin vines surrounding the corn will make them reconsider. Grapes are likewise a huge target, so spraying them with pepper spray will keep them on the vine.