How to Keep Raccoons Out of a Garden

Raccoons are the Houdini of the animal kingdom. It seems as though they can get into and out of anything. Here are some steps to prevent them from entering your garden.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• motion detection sprinkler or lighting
• portable radio
• stinky socks
• plastic mesh or chicken wire
• plastic mesh
• beneficial nematodes or soapy water

1. Play a radio in your garden at night. Raccoons are stealthy creatures and will shy away from noisy areas. Select an 'all-talk' station. Keep the volume low so you don't disturb your neighbors.

2. Surround vegetable gardens with a 6 foot fence made of loose plastic mesh. The mesh should be tight at the bottom and loose near the top so that it drapes slightly. Raccoons will be unable to climb the mesh because it will collapse under their weight.

3. Keep all pet food indoors at night. This includes water bowls. Raccoons are fastidious creatures and love to wash their hands in fresh water.

4. Use motion detection sprinklers or lighting in the garden or near fish ponds. A burst of water or light will frighten raccoons, at least temporarily.

5. Leave articles of human scented clothing in the garden, the stinkier the better.

6. Drape fine plastic mesh over garden plantings, especially melons, strawberries and squash. To harvest, simply lift off the mesh.

7. Cover compost piles with a layer of fine plastic mesh or a chicken wire frame.

8. Eliminate grubs from your lawn by applying beneficial nematodes or soapy water. Raccoons dig for grubs that live just under the turf near the roots. Grubs will eventually pupate into destructive beetle insects. You are actually doing your garden a favor by making this important step.

9. Keep the dog outside at night.

Tips & Warnings

• Raccoons are wily and will overcome obstacles over time. Use several of these steps at the same time and change them often.

• Do not confront a raccoon. They are wild animals and may carry disease. Call the local Animal Control Agency if the problem persists.