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The Power Four => Big Ten => Topic started by: medinabuckeye1 on July 27, 2026, 12:09:32 PM

Title: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on July 27, 2026, 12:09:32 PM
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 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?  
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: jgvol on July 27, 2026, 12:15:41 PM
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.)
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on July 27, 2026, 12:21:00 PM
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.  
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: CatsbyAZ on July 27, 2026, 12:37:22 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/0UjqTtq.png)
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: utee94 on July 27, 2026, 12:40:52 PM
(https://www.callnorthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NW-Best-bait-for-raccoon-trap-Blog-Cover-e1725590437676.png)
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on July 27, 2026, 12:59:17 PM
(https://www.callnorthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NW-Best-bait-for-raccoon-trap-Blog-Cover-e1725590437676.png)
Here is what mine looks like
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 27, 2026, 01:30:48 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/VZzMh2i.png)

(https://i.imgur.com/1CidO46.png)
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: jgvol on July 27, 2026, 01:31:48 PM
Wonder why they are coming onto your deck if you have eliminated any food sources?

Strange.

Do you have a dog?  I have a couple of Dobermans patrolling the place, so that may be another deterrent for the coons.

I had an armadillo in my back yard one night and my dogs went insane and scared it half to death.  Quite the adventure getting him out of the yard, involving my wife on one side blocking him, and me with a pool net (leaf rake), scooping him up and taking him out of the fence.

Do armadillos climb?  Can they?  How in the hell did he get in my fenced back yard?  An unsolved mystery.
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: jgvol on July 27, 2026, 01:32:51 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/VZzMh2i.png)

(https://i.imgur.com/1CidO46.png)

I was thinking a .22 rifle.  They aren't too loud, and the noise could maybe pass for something other than a gun.
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 27, 2026, 01:34:25 PM
That would work. Still want it very quiet.

Armadillos a great at digging. Check for holes.
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: jgvol on July 27, 2026, 01:43:10 PM
That would work. Still want it very quiet.

Armadillos a great at digging. Check for holes.

No holes anywhere.  Bizarre.
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: longhorn320 on July 27, 2026, 02:33:16 PM
Dont need traps
Just get a big ass dog
problem solved
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on July 27, 2026, 02:34:47 PM
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
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 27, 2026, 02:40:44 PM
Dont need traps
Just get a big ass dog
problem solved
Doesn't seem to work on possum. 

My big ass (92#) dog, and my big ass me, were both making a hell of a lot of noise trying to convince a possum to escape under the fence out of the backyard. 

Possum just looked up. "Come at me bro". It DID amble off under the fence, but it didn't do it with any hustle. 

A few nights later I shot it in the ass with a pellet gun. That seemed to make it not want to come back. 
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on July 27, 2026, 03:25:34 PM
I was thinking a .22 rifle.  They aren't too loud, and the noise could maybe pass for something other than a gun.
I have a .22 and I've thought about that.  Ultimately that might be my solution.  I obviously can't be firing off one of my shotguns or a large caliber pistol in the city limits but a .22 isn't all that loud.  

If I were out in the country I wouldn't need a rifle or scope, I could easily hit them with even a short barrel pistol.  They are so close that you almost couldn't miss.  
Title: Re: OT Help with Raccoon abatement
Post by: FearlessF on July 27, 2026, 06:57:30 PM
I assume pellet guns are legal in the city

or feed them cayenne pepper stuffed inside some food source