How to Catch a Coon

Raccoons are a terrible nuisance. They love to get into your garbage and leave bits of items shredded all over your yard. In the fall one of the first places they look for warmth is in a chimney or an attic. If they get into the attic or chimney, in the spring they will have their young there. This can be very damaging to your home. Catching a coon in a live trap can be a simple way to rid your home of this nuisance.

Things You'll Need

• Medium live trap
• Powder sugar doughnuts
• Small container
• Water
• Gloves

Instructions

1. Set the live trap where the coons usually cross the yard or by the garbage cans that they get into. There is a lever on the trap that you push to set. When the coon walks into the trap, the coon will step on a weight that will drop the door. The key is getting the coon into the trap.

2. Break a powder sugar doughnut into pieces and put it at the far end of the cage. Coons love sweet things. This will get them into the cage.

3. Fill a small container with water. When raccoons eat, they take their time and swish their food in water. The water will allow them to move around enough to set the trap off and the door to drop. This also keeps them from grabbing the doughnut and running right back out before the trap door drops.

4. Take captured raccoons to a nature center that needs more wild animals or call your local DNR agent to get rid of them for you. They will be better off somewhere that is not in the city and will have a higher survival rate. While they look very cute, raccoons are a very destructive animal and can do a lot of damage to your home. It is best to trap them and take them back to a more natural environment.

Tips & Warnings

• If a raccoon comes up to you, he is probably sick. Stay away from him and call your DNR warden.

• Wear glove when handling the trap.

• Raccoons can carry rabies.