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I had what I thought was one or two racoons getting into my trash cans and ripping up the bags.  Additionally, racoons carry various diseases including rabies and racoon roundworm so my wife doesn't want the kids on our deck until I get rid of the racoons.  

I set up my live trap and caught one.  My initial plan was to give the racoon swimming lessons but I've been told that it isn't legal to drown them so I hired a wildlife company who charged me $200 to get rid of the racoon.  Ok, fine.  Well, now I am a half a dozen or more racoons into this and last night I trapped yet another one and the camera that my wife got showed us one in the trap and FIVE outside the trap.  I'm already $1,200 or more into this plus the one I caught last night and if I catch FIVE more I'll be well close to three grand into euthanizing racoons.  

I have got to come up with a better solution.  I live in the City so I can't shoot them at my house.  One solution would be to take the trap and one of my guns somewhere outside the city and shoot them but there are multiple problems with this including:

• I'm not a fan of transporting them in my vehicle and I don't own a pickup anymore so I'd have to use my trailer.  This isn't a deal breaker but it makes the whole process into a giant pain and makes the $200 not look too bad.  
• I can't just do it on some random non-City patch of ground, I'd have to get permission from someone.  I do have a few friends outside the City but most of them live on 'city-like' small lots that aren't really suited to this purpose.  

I thought about giving the trapped racoon a bowl of antifreeze but apparently that is just as illegal is drowning them so that will not work.  

Has anyone dealt with a racoon infestation and come up with a better solution?  

I keep cinder blocks on my trashcans.  They don't seem to come back anymore.

If that didn't work, I'd poison them in some fashion.

Illegal, my ass.  (I'd just have to deal with the ramifications at some point, if anyone, including the law, actually cares --- I doubt they do.)

I bought straps to seal my trash cans (may be easier for you than the blocks) so that part of the problem is solved but they are crapping on my deck which is not only unsightly and smelly but also actually dangerous because of diseases in their feces.  

I was thinking a .22 rifle.  They aren't too loud, and the noise could maybe pass for something other than a gun.

That would work. Still want it very quiet.

Armadillos a great at digging. Check for holes.

No holes anywhere.  Bizarre.

Humane Deterrents
Ultrasonic devices (e.g., Raccoon Fortress Pro or Mini) emit variable high-frequency sounds and flashing lights that raccoons find uncomfortable, discouraging them from returning

Motion-activated sprinklers or lights startle raccoons and can reduce nighttime activity

Scent-based repellents like ammonia-soaked rags, cayenne pepper, vinegar, or predator urine can temporarily deter raccoons, though they require frequent reapplication

Repellent plants such as cucumbers, peppermint, garlic, and rose bushes can help discourage raccoons from entering gardens