How to Keep Raccoons Off Deck Furniture & Cushions

Raccoons use their sharp teeth and claws to both find food and damage your property.

Raccoons can be a big problem regardless of where you live. They have become accustomed to living where humans live, primarily because where there are people, there is food. However, these animals can cause damage to other property, particularly your deck furniture and cushions. Keeping raccoons away from your deck furniture can be a difficult task. Some of the most commonly used repellents do not work.

Instructions

1. Secure garbage in cans and keep them away from your deck. Making sure that your garbage can covers fit securely and tightly will help ensure that raccoons will not open the garbage cans when they are knocked over. Some people also use bricks on top of the lids. Placing your garbage cans as far from your deck as possible will help keep raccoons away from your deck. They will follow the scent of the food and stay away from your deck furniture.

2. Install motion-activated flood lights. These lights will turn on whenever a raccoon or other creature comes near your deck. Carefully aim the light for optimal coverage. Raccoons do not like bright lights. The brighter the light, the better your results will be. Raccoons are creatures of the night and will not often come around during the day, so this is a great way to keep them away.

3. Play a radio 24 hours a day for several days. Make sure you place the radio where it will be safe from the elements. Tune in to a station that plays loud music or talk radio and turn the volume up as loud as you can handle. Raccoons have a natural fear of humans. If they think there is a human in the area, they will leave. Playing this for several days will likely convince the raccoon that your deck is not a safe place and keep them away for good.

4. Hire someone to trap and remove the raccoons. If all else fails, you may need to hire someone to remove raccoons. Trapping raccoons yourself is illegal in many states. Check the laws before you attempt to trap yourself. Hiring a professional, however, will ensure that the job is done well and quickly.

5. Don't put bowls pet food bags or uneaten pet food on your patio. Raccoons especially love cat food.

Tips & Warnings

• Predator urine and ammonia were long thought to be excellent raccoon deterrents. However, these methods often do not work.

References

• Humane Society: Solving Problems with Raccoons
• Popular Mechanics: Home Invaders