How to Get Rid of Raccoons With a Low-Electric Fence

Raccoons often raid gardens and disturb newly turfed lawns.

Using a low-electric fence to get rid of raccoon pests is relatively simple. As a rule, look for a high-voltage, low-amperage fence energizer rated for use with pets. Although you can use sturdy steel T-posts, plastic step-in posts are a less expensive, more convenient option for a low-electric raccoon fence; as an added bonus, they include built-in insulators so you don't have to purchase insulators separately. Turn on your two-wire, electric raccoon fence at dusk and leave it on until dawn for best results, recommends Terrell Salmon, coauthor of "Wildlife Pest Control Around Gardens and Homes."

Things You'll Need

• Wooden stakes
• Hammer
• String
• Step-in plastic fence posts
• Electric polywire
• Insulated cable
• Wire cutters
• Grounded fence energizer
• Aluminum foil

Instructions

1. Mark off the perimeter of the garden or lawn. Pound wooden stakes into the ground to mark the corners. Run a tautly strung string between the stakes to provide a marking string for proper post placement.

2. Install the corner posts. Position the metal stake on the bottom of one of the step-in plastic posts against the ground right outside the first wooden corner stake. Push firmly with your foot against the step-in tread at the bottom of the plastic post, inserting the post straight into the ground until the tread is flush with the soil. Repeat this process with each corner post.

3. Insert additional, plastic step-in posts along the fence's perimeter as line posts. Locate the first line post about 10 feet from the first corner post. Locate the rest of the line posts 10 to 15 feet apart.

4. String the electric fence polywire on the corner and line post insulators. Position the lower electric wire 6 inches from the ground, as recommended by Salmon. Locate the second wire 6 inches above the first wire. Make sure the wires are pulled taut; the electric fencing wires should not sag in between the posts but you don't want them so tight that they pull the posts inward with too much pressure.

5. Cut a strip of insulated cable long enough to reach between the two strands of polywire. Strip off the last 2 inches of insulation from both ends of the cable. Secure one end of the cable to the bottom electric fence wire; secure the second cable end to the top electric fence wire.

6. Measure and cut a length of insulated cable long enough to reach between the bottom fence wire and the positively charged fence terminal on your fence energizer. Wrap one end of the cable around the bottom fence wire and secure the other end of the cable around the fence terminal on the fence energizer.

7. Wrap 2-inch-by-10-inch strips of aluminum foil around the electric fence strands to attract the attention of the raccoons. Place the strips of foil on both strands of polywire, locating them about 5 to 6 feet apart on each wire. Turn the fence energizer on at nighttime, so the fence emits an electrical charge that will shock any raccoons that come in direct contact with the wires or the foil strips.

Tips & Warnings

• Accidental electrical shock could occur. Post warning signs to prevent accidental shock.

References

• "Wildlife Pest Control Around Gardens and Homes"; Terrell Salmon et al.; 2006