How to Deter Raccoons From a Pond

A masked marauder

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When we build ponds in locations near wooded areas, rivers, bayous or lakes, we will find raccoons. We have stolen the raccoons natural habitats and erected shopping centers and subdivisions, so the raccoons are making a place for themselves in our yards and gardens. Raccoons love water plants and goldfish. We set out a buffet for them and they will visit daily until all plant material and fish are gone. We cannot rid ourselves completely of raccoons, but we can help keep them out of our ponds.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

A scarecrow motion detector, or
A heavily planted pond perimeter using prickly plants like asparagus fern or Burford Holly, or
A Havahart trap, or
An electric fence

Protecting your Pond from Raccoons

Step1

Plant your pond's perimeter with thorny plants. A raccoon will follow the path of least resistance. If you make the path to your pond an uncomfortable one instead of a super highway, the raccoon will go elsewhere.

Step2

Use plant material that is uncomfortable for you to handle. Hollies are good, so is elaeagnus. Asparagus fern, while not quite as thorny is still effective.

Step3

Try the uncomfortable plant method. A determined raccoon can find a way through those plants, however. If this happens, you must use larger artillery.

Step4

Install a Scarecrow Motion Detector. They work by spraying a three second long, strong blast of water at the intruder when he is detected. The water will not harm the raccoon, but will chase him and other intruders away.

Step5

Install a Havahart animal trap where the raccoons travel. When you trap the raccoon, call your local humane society. Do not try to get the raccoon out of the trap by yourself. Raccoons can inflict a wicked bite and can be rabid.

Step6

Install an electric fence. This gives the animal a slight electrical shock, not enough to harm him, but enough to deter him from your pond.

Tips & Warnings

Unfortunately raccoons are not easily deterred. This is not an easy fight to win, but if you persevere you can at least keep the damage to a minimum.
Be careful that you do not set off the motion detector. You will get soaked.
Do not forget the electric fence is there or you will suffer an uncomfortable electrical shock.
Do not relocate the raccoon after you have trapped him in the Havahart trap. Animals often cannot live in a new habitat, so the raccoon will not be able to find food and will die.