How To Get Rid Of Raccoons: Removal Methods

Raccoons are the most destructive animals. They cause damage when they get into your attic. If you have raccoons living under your house, get rid of them as soon as possible.

In this post, we will explain how to remove pesky raccoons from your property without hiring an exterminator.

Raccoon Control Tips & Tricks

You should always use caution when dealing with wild animals such as raccoons. You can injure yourself while trying to catch these critters. Without further delay; let’s dive in.

Trapping

There are different types of traps that have been developed over time. Some work better than others, so knowing which trap will work best before setting it up is essential. The easiest way to deal with raccoons is setting up traps near the areas where they frequent. You can set traps in a variety of ways depending on what you want to accomplish.

These traps usually consist of either live bait or dead baits.

Live Bait

A live bait trap consists of edibles placed inside a container designed for trapping wildlife. When the animal enters the trap to eat the bait, they are immediately trapped within the device. Live bait traps work on the principle that raccoons will eat anything placed inside the trap.

When they enter the trap, their instinctual behavior causes them to bite down on what is offered. Once they start eating, the trap door opens automatically and captures the animal. If your goal is to catch an animal alive for relocation purposes, using live bait is a good idea.

Dead Baits

Dead baits tend to attract more animals because the smell will linger longer. There is no bait used. Instead, the trap contains enough food to keep the animal interested until it dies.

These kinds of traps usually come in two varieties;

• Spring-loaded traps require some effort to release the animal once captured.

• Snap-traps do not need any additional action after being triggered.

Both of these techniques are effective at catching raccoons. However, keep in mind that you should only use both of these traps under certain circumstances. For example, using a spring-loaded trap indoors is dangerous since it might cause injury to someone who steps on it.

Trapping works excellent while getting rid of raccoons. However, it does not guarantee 100% success. In some cases, trapping alone might not be enough to eliminate all raccoons from your area. We recommend combining trapping with other options. Below are ways to get rid of raccoons permanently.

Poisoning

Poisoning is probably the least desirable solution for eliminating raccoons. However, it is effective at killing raccoons. One method used to poison raccoons is called "stink bombs." Stink bombs contain ammonia which makes the smell unbearable for any raccoons.

Several types of poisons can kill raccoons, including strychnine, zinc phosphide, and cyanide. While the substances are highly toxic, none of them are lethal to harm humans. Therefore, poison is safe for people who don't mind getting rid of raccoons.

Electrocution

Install electronic devices that emit high-frequency sounds that scare off raccoons. Although this technique has been proven to be highly successful, inevitable drawbacks are associated with its usage. For example, the electrical current could harm pets or children who happen to touch the wire. Also, since raccoons are nocturnal creatures, they avoid contact with electrified wires during the night.

You should not use this device for an extended period because it may damage hearing. It also shouldn't be placed close to walls or ceilings since this will prevent sound waves from reaching the desired area.

Shooting & Hazing

Since shooting is considered to be the most humane form of removing raccoons. Homeowners choose to use it instead of other techniques. To shoot raccoons:

• Locate the nest site

• Wait until dark before approaching the nest

• Place a shotgun next to the nest and fire away

Make sure to wear protective gear. Afterward, dispose of the carcass properly.

Hazing is similar to shooting, except it doesn't involve firearms. Instead, you can try using hazing tools such as pepper spray, stink bombs, and even loud noises. The idea behind hazing is to scare off raccoons by making noise or by spraying something in their face. If done correctly, this tactic can help reduce the population of raccoons significantly.

Raccoons vs. Humans

Although raccoons pose a minor threat to humans, they can become aggressive towards intruders if threatened. To handle situations involving raccoons:

• Never approach a wild raccoon unless it’s necessary

• Avoid feeding raccoons since this encourages them to stay longer than usual

• Always clean up any garbage left behind by raccoons

• Discourage raccoons from coming into your yard by placing barriers like fences or boards in areas where they usually enter