The Best Homemade Way to Trap a Racoon

Although they can be cute, raccoons can also be quite destructive.

Keeping raccoons from rummaging through your trash cans can be a challenge. Since they are nocturnal creatures, you will probably be asleep when they are they are most active. Although there are ways to poison them, it is not only inhumane, but you may also end up injuring your pets or other animals, as well. One way to get rid of your raccoon problem is to build a simple trap using a garbage can and some water.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden board
• Large garbage can
• Table
• Raccoon bait
• String

Instructions

1. Get a 24-inch long wooden board and place it between a garbage can and a table. Make sure that the garbage can has a smooth interior, and is stable and sitting on a flat surface so that it won't tip over. The board should be sitting solidly on the table and have about 10 inches hanging out over the garbage can.

2. Pour water in the garbage can until it is 1/3 full.

3. Tie a piece of bait on the end of the board over the garbage can using the string. Raccoons are scavengers and will eat most things. A piece of meat should do the trick. Tie it securely so that it cannot be pulled off by the raccoon easily. When the raccoon walks to the end of the board to try to remove the bait, his weight will cause the board to flip over, making him fall into the water. His fur will become soaked and will weigh him down, preventing him from escaping from the can. If you'd like to set up an alert so you will know when the trap is triggered, tie some bells around a piece of string and tie it to the board.

4. Free the raccoon after you've caught it. When a raccoon is trapped, cover the garbage can with its lid and drive it at least 10 miles away from your home. Open the lid of the garbage can and remove the water. The raccoon will come out immediately and will escape. Let it escape into the woods.

References

• Get Rid of Things: Get Rid of Raccoons
• All Pestco How to Set Up Raccoon Traps