Homemade Racoon Trap

Make sure to safely and humanely remove raccoons.

Raccoons can be found all across the United States. For the most part, raccoons inhabit forest and grasslands and will keep away from homes and businesses. When food is scarce during the colder months, raccoons will often look for food in nearby homes. Many raccoons will forage through garbage cans and may even attempt to enter the house. You can build your own trap and try to catch them.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic garbage can
• Water
• 4- to 5-foot wooden board
• Bait

Instructions

1. Place a large, outdoor plastic garbage can next to a flat structure approximately the same height as the garbage can, such as a picnic table.

2. Fill the garbage can one quarter full with water. Do not place too much water in the can or the raccoon can drown.

3. Place a four- to five-foot-long board onto the picnic table. Move the board so it's hanging halfway over the plastic garbage can, like a diving board.

4. Place food scraps on the hanging edge of the board. Place the bait just before night fall to avoid any other animals coming across it and eating it.

5. Allow the plastic garbage can to sit over night. The raccoon will fall into the water-filled barrel trying to retrieve the bait. The water will weigh down the raccoon's fur, making it difficult for it to escape.

6. Place the garbage can and barrel in the back of a truck or any other vehicle that can accommodate it. Drive several miles from your home and release the raccoon by pushing the barrel onto its side.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact your local Department of Natural Resources to inquire if trapping raccoons is legal in your state.

• Contact a local pest removal company to relocate the raccoon if you do not feel comfortable performing this procedure yourself.

References

• All Pest Control: Homemade Raccoon Traps
• Critter Controllers: Homemade Raccoon Traps