How to Get Rid of Raccoons

If you have raccoons getting into your garbage, chimney or yard, there are ways to discourage them from coming on to your property and making a mess. Here are some of the ways you can keep raccoons out.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Keep trees and bushes at least 2 feet below or 3 feet away from your roof. Raccoons get into chimneys by climbing up trees and walking off one branch onto your roof. By cutting off this passage, they won't be able to get near your chimney to begin with.

2. Secure your trash bins. If you leave garbage outside, the smell will bring in raccoons. If you tether down your garbage can lids with bungee cords, the raccoons will learn that they cannot get into your trash. Then they will stop coming around to look for food.

3. Try placing a talk radio outside your home. Raccoons generally try to avoid humans. The sound of people talking may be enough to keep them at bay.

4. Get a dog or put store-bought, dried urine around the perimeter of your yard. Some raccoons might be intimidated by the smell of a large animal.

5. Buy a live animal trap. These traps are only useful if you or someone from animal control is willing to unload the trap if a raccoon gets into it. Check with your local animal control first about the precautions you should take when trapping live raccoons.

Tips & Warnings

• Many states forbid poisoning raccoons. Check your state's laws and regulations before you take this extreme measure.