How to Make Coon Traps

Raccoons can become major pests when they get inside buildings.

Raccoons can become a major nuisance, especially if they make their way inside a home to have a litter. A trapper can use a variety of traps to catch a raccoon, but some are fatal to the animal and dangerous to the trapper. Use live traps in almost all cases. Follow state laws in handling the animal after trapping.

Things You'll Need

• Thick wire mesh, at least 6-feet-by-3-feet
• Wire connector ties
• Two springs
• Bait
• Heavy gloves

Instructions

Trapping Raccons

1. Raccoon traps often catch pets and unintended wild animals. Avoid fatal traps unless absolutely necessary. Fatal traps, which clamp down on the animal's body or leg, can also seriously injure an inexperienced trapper.

2. To build a simple humane cage, make sure it is long and wide enough -- at least 3 feet long and 1 foot high -- so the entire raccoon gets well inside the trap.

   Take the wire mesh and cut off the final 1 foot, leaving it 5-by-3-feet. Bend the 5-foot length of mesh four times, forming a box 1 foot in height and 3-feet long. That leaves a 1 foot overlapping flap to secure it.

3. Use at least 6 of the strong metal ties to tie the overlapping flap to the side beneath it.

   Take the leftover mesh, and cut a 1-foot-square section to serve as the closed end of the trap. With the ties, secure it tightly to the sides of the trap so only the other end is open.

4. Cut a piece 1-foot-by-16-inches from the leftover. That will be the trap entrance flap. Smooth the sides of it, so it will move easily inside the trap.

   Angle the trap door longways inside the box, so the bottom is a few inches inside it, but the 1-foot top lines up with the top end of the box. Tie the top end of the trap door to the top edge of the box, forming a hinge and leaving the other three sides free.

5. Attach the two springs to the bottom of the cage at one end and to each side of the trap door at the other. The springs should be loose enough to allow the raccoon to lift up the door but tight enough to hold it firmly in place when the door shuts.

6. Raccoons are omnivorous. Bait the trap with bread, marshmallows or other non-meat items. Meat will attract cats, dogs or unintended wild animals. Lead a trail of bait into the trap and put most of it against the closed end of the trap.

   The raccoon should push the trap door open, enter, and have it snap closed behind the animal. The springs will make it too difficult for the raccoon to lift the trap door over its head to escape. Use the gloves when handling the cage.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow state law in handling the animal. Many states prohibit relocating the raccoon to another area. If the trapper relocates the animal, take it at least 10 miles away from where the raccoon was trapped.

• When trapping a raccoon in the attic, be aware the animal is likely a mother with babies. Babies can generally be caught by hand and should be released with the mother.

References

• Raccoon Attic Guide: Raccoon Trapping Tips and Techniques

Resources

• Animal Control Blog: Raccoon Trapping Tips