Introduction
Raccoons are nocturnal creatures who enjoy digging through trash and knocking over garbage cans. Raccoons frequently take refuge in heated attics, both private and public. What Do Raccoons Hate The Most? Before they spread disease and create extensive damage, raccoons should be exterminated as soon as they are discovered on your property. Here are several things raccoons hate so you can get started if you’re wondering how to keep the naughty beasts away from your home.
Scents That Raccoons Hate
Raccoons have a good sense of smell that helps them find food. However, there are some smells that raccoons don’t like at all. The fact that raccoons are very sensitive to smell can be used against them by putting smelly things around the house to scare them away. The best places to put these smells are in cupboards, trash cans, yards, gardens, and near your home’s entrances. Raccoons hate the smell of the following things:
Epsom Salt: The best way to use Epsom salt is to spread it over your yard as a good fertilizer.
Garlic juice: Garlic has a strong smell that stays around long enough to keep mice away.
Hot pepper: Hot peppers are the best way to keep raccoons away because they upset their sense of smell.
Onion and pepper: When onion and pepper are mixed with the same amount of water, they can keep raccoons away because the strong smell bothers their sense of smell.
Peppermint: Peppermint essential oil can be obtained in many shops, and the strong smell keeps raccoons away.
What Natural Methods Can Be Used To Keep Raccoons Away?
An old saying goes, “Fences make good neighbors,” and this proverb applies to raccoons. However, it would help if you kept in mind that raccoons are excellent climbers, so the most effective natural ways to deter raccoons are to have a yard full of scents that deter raccoons, plants that make your yard uncomfortable to them, and the appearance of natural predators in your yard.
Preventing Raccoon Damage: A Few Tips
In addition to utilizing raccoon-repellent odors, there are other measures you may take to keep raccoons from becoming a problem. Some guidelines are as follows.
Lock up the garbage cans: Raccoons are attracted to trash cans because they contain an easy and plentiful food supply. Use trash cans made of metal or plastic with secure lids to deter raccoons from rummaging through your garbage. Bungee cords, weights, or locks can keep the tops in place. You may also keep your garbage cans inside a garage, shed, or covered area until trash pickup day. Raccoons might be discouraged from using your trash by rinsing it out frequently.
Eliminate all other food sources: Raccoons can locate food in various places on your property, not only in trash cans. Pet food, birdseed, produce, nuts, eggs, and compost are all acceptable sources of nutrition. If you have these things in your yard, you should put them away or secure them so that raccoons can’t get to them. If you feed your pets outside, bring them or take their dishes inside when they eat. You should also pick up any nuts or fruits that may have fallen from your trees. Use wire mesh or a covering to protect your compost pile from raccoons.
Keep raccoons out of your dwelling: Raccoons can access your home through the chimney, vents, roof, and walls. They threaten your home’s framing, studs, drywall, and wiring. They also leave behind urine and feces that might harm humans when they build nests. You may prevent raccoons from entering your home by inspecting for entry points and then sealing them off with hardware cloth, metal flashing, or caulk. Raccoons can be kept out of your home using chimney caps and vent coverings. Ensure there are no raccoons in the building before you close any holes. If so, eliminate them humanely or employ a company specializing in removing animals.
Why May Not Smell Work To Deter Raccoons?
Using smells like these to keep raccoons away might work for a while. No matter how strong the scent is, it will wear off over time. For example, the onion and pepper mixture only lasts a few days. If you want the bouquet to survive, you must keep putting it on every few days. Wind and other weather factors could also make it harder for your scent deterrent to last.
Raccoons are both able to change and are very determined. They might try harder to get in once the smells stop working. Exposing raccoons to bad smells teaches them that your home isn’t worth the trouble, but it also helps them get used to the scents so that they’re no longer annoying. If this happens, you could try a different smell as a defense, but it’s likely to only work for a short time. A better way to keep raccoons away from your land is to make it hard for them to get food.
Understanding Raccoon Behavior
Understanding raccoon behavior and the factors that initially attract them to your property is vital before delving into what raccoons do not like. Raccoons are animals who take advantage of any opportunity and are very interested. The following three things are the primary draws for them:
Food: Raccoons are omnivores, which means they eat plants and animals. They are particularly drawn to easily accessible food sources such as garbage, pet food left outdoors, bird feeders, and vegetable gardens.
Shelter: Raccoons seek refuge in attics, crawl spaces, sheds, and other structures. They are skilled climbers and can gain access to elevated areas.
Water: Raccoons need a water source so that they may be attracted to fish ponds, birdbaths, or leaking faucets.
What Raccoons Dislike The Most
Bright Lights: Raccoons are nocturnal animals and prefer to operate under the cover of darkness. Installing motion-activated lights in areas where raccoons are a problem can startle them and make your property less appealing.
Loud Noises: Raccoons are sensitive to loud and unexpected noises. Devices like motion-activated sprinklers or radios set to a talk radio station can deter them.
Strong Smells: Raccoons have a keen sense of smell, and certain odors are known to repel them. Some options include ammonia-soaked rags, garlic, cayenne pepper, or commercial raccoon repellents.
Predator Urine: The scent of predators, such as coyotes or foxes, can make raccoons uneasy. To create a deterrent perimeter, you can purchase predator urine or droppings from garden supply stores.
Physical Barriers: To prevent raccoons from gaining access to specific areas, install barriers like wire mesh or hardware cloth around vulnerable spots like gardens or potential entry points to your home.
Secure Garbage Bins: Raccoons are notorious for rummaging through trash cans. Invest in secure, raccoon-proof garbage bins with locking lids to keep them out.
Remove Food Sources: Ensure that there are no accessible food sources on your property. Bring pet food, harvest vegetables promptly, and clean up fallen fruits and seeds.
Seal Entry Points: Inspect your property for potential entry points to your home, such as gaps in the roof or vents. Seal these openings to prevent raccoons from entering.
Conclusion
Raccoons, known for their clever and adaptable nature, can be frustrating when they invade our homes and gardens. While raccoons can be persistent, there are several things they dislike that can help deter them effectively. These include bright lights, loud noises, strong odors, and physical barriers. You can reduce the likelihood of unwanted raccoon encounters by implementing these strategies and addressing the factors that attract raccoons to your property, such as food sources and shelter.
