If you've ever woken up to falling trash cans, you're probably familiar with raccoons. These furry black and white creatures tend to get into everything from trash cans to chicken coops to pet food, but luckily for us, they can be easily put off by various noises and noises.
Typically, raccoons are repelled by the noise and clatter of wind chimes, radios tuned to a talk station that mimics the human voice, bioacoustics of other animal sounds, screams, fireworks, and the banging of pots and pans..
In more rural areas, raccoons are particularly common around chicken coops and cattle feeding areas. Raccoons are opportunistic animals looking for simple food and a comfortable life. So how can you keep them at bay with simple noises and noises?
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Why you should drive away raccoons
There are several reasons why you should scare raccoons. If you know they live near you, prevention is the best measure to avoid encountering a feral raccoon.
Although raccoons have historically lived only in areas that contain a water source, human development has spread their populations across most of the United States, except for a few desert states such as Utah and Arizona.
Raccoons may seem like cute and harmless creatures, but the truth is that they should be handled with the utmost care.
Here's a quick look at why scaring raccoons with noises and noises is a good idea.
house damage
Raccoons typically build burrows within burrows, hollow trees, or cave-like rock formations. If they can't find that type of environment due to human evolution, they make it with an attic, fireplace, or crawl space.
To get into an attic or wall space, raccoons can damage roof tiles and siding to get inside. Once indoors, raccoons can damage housing material with their droppings and clog chimneys with nesting material.
domestic animals and chicken coops
As previously mentioned, raccoons are opportunistic. Unfortunately, chickens, ducks, and pets can be easy targets for raccoons. It may be hard to believe, but raccoons can and will destroy chickens and ducks for their eggs.
The best way to avoid this is to secure your chickens or ducks in an enclosure at night when raccoons are most active. Simple latches and wire fences are not adequate protection as raccoons know how to pick latches and dig or scale simple wire fences.
garden and grain
Raccoons don't know the difference between stumbling over food in the wild and finding food in your yard or crop. To them, anything eatable is fair game.
They especially love sweet foods like watermelon, sweetcorn, apples, peaches, and cherries. As you grow these crops, keep an eye out for raccoons and learn how to stop them.
Traces of a raccoon on your property
Deer and rabbits are candidates for garden eaters. Skunks and skunks will knock over trash cans. Foxes and coyotes often visit chicken coops. How can you tell that you have a raccoon and not another creature?
The truth is that it can be difficult to accurately identify an invading raccoon unless you physically see it.
If there is damage, try to look for clues that will help identify the intruder. Raccoons have very distinctive tracks as their hind legs look like a very small footprint. You can also try to identify your scatter.
If tiles or trimmers have been damaged, the most likely culprit is a raccoon. They have the necessary thumbs to grip the material.
Otherwise, fallen garbage cans, chimney intruders, and garden eaters can be any number of different animals. The good news is that noise and noise deterrence works on these mimicking intruders too.
Noises and noises that scare raccoons
Now we come to the good part! Whether you have a chicken coop, a garden or a cozy fire pit, raccoons are not always welcome guests.
Instead, try to scare raccoons out of your home and yard with sounds and noises. It's a safe and relatively effective way to scare raccoons.
Of course, do not interact with a wild raccoon and consult a pest control or wildlife expert if necessary.
The key is to match auditory (sound) disabilities with visual disabilities (predator silhouettes, lights, etc.). The most effective deterrents are frequently changed and frequently relocated to other locations.
Long-term noise protection for raccoons
Long-term sound barriers are items that you can install and maintain as long as you live in that location. The position of the noise barrier must be changed frequently to prevent raccoons from becoming accustomed.
wind chime
Wind chimes are a passive noise barrier to keep raccoons and other unwanted critters out. It is not recommended to use wind chimes alone as the raccoons will get used to the sound after a week or two and will not be afraid of it anymore.
Changing the sound of wind chimes from high pitched metallic wind chimes to a lower tone ring can keep raccoons on their toes (or paws!).
Be sure to change your wind chime's location every few days for best results. Here are some great ways to repel raccoons:
Bcamelys Deep Tone Windspielit has deep and smooth tones. This is a great option if you live in a neighborhood where other people are around as the sound is more natural. While the sound is reassuring to humans, it will still be new and surprising to raccoons.
Different and exactly the opposite of the deep tone,Small wind chime from Mohooit's affordable and functional. It is much smaller than the low tone and has a higher melody. Perfect for surprising raccoons.
You can also use the two wind chimes and change them regularly so raccoons and other nearby animals don't get used to the sound.
Radio
Radios tuned to talk can trick raccoons into believing humans are nearby.This can be less effective in urban environments where noise from human conversation, traffic, and sirens are the norm.
Raccoons that live near rural communities are less likely to become familiar with humans and their voices. The sound of the radio can startle raccoons out of their garbage cans or chicken coops.
The downside is that raccoons are very adaptable creatures. They tend to learn over time which sounds are truly threatening and which are not.
To counter this, try changing the station frequently, moving the radio to different locations, and adjusting the volume from time to time to keep the raccoons guessing. They are less likely to become accustomed to an area with frequently changing sounds and noises.
from bioacoustics
Adult raccoons weigh around 20 pounds on average - quite a large animal! They are hunted by large predators such as coyotes, wolves, and large birds of prey.
Bioacoustics uses sounds emitted by the animal itself in the form of a distress call or by animals' natural enemies. Yes, just like in that dinosaur theme park movie (you know), when an animal hears a call for help, they tend to turn and run.
The internet is full of videos of coyotes barking, wolves howling, owls flying and dogs barking.If you have a portable Bluetooth speaker, setting up your phone, plugging it into the charger, and playing a video at night is a simple task.
As with most noise suppressants, you should move the speaker frequently and change the sounds being played. This will keep the raccoon frightened and likely lead it to a safer place.
Another option is to record loud noises, such as gunshots or fireworks. This is really only an option if you live in a remote area. Otherwise, your neighbors may not like the noise.
Sea
Anything that makes noise can be your ally against raccoons. Weather vanes, sheet cakes, pans swinging on a string, old soup cans, empty glass bottles.
Passive noise generators will work over time as long as the location and sound change frequently. Otherwise, your masked bandit will return fearlessly.
ultrasonic generators
There have been some studies looking at using ultrasound to repel animals. Unfortunately, many of these studies have come back inconclusive.
Most test subjects were small rodents, such as mice and rats, and used certain frequencies sparingly. Personally, I'm a little skeptical about long-term use, preferring more physical or eye-catching deterrents.
Although the results are unclear, ultrasonic generators are relatively inexpensive, so the choice is yours.
Short-term noise protection for raccoons
Short-term noise control agents should act quickly and be short-lived. If you've found a hole in your siding and are fairly certain the raccoon isn't in your home, you can use short-term noise suppressors to keep the raccoons out while you fix the hole.
Other scenarios where short-term noise mitigation comes in handy would be when you actually see a raccoon in your yard, your trash can, or on the way to the chicken coop.
Here are some techniques to scare away raccoons quickly.
firecrackers
When firecrackers are lit and fired, they make a very loud noise, similar to that of a gunshot. Never throw fireworks directly at an animal. It's best to play them in a place away from people and animals and only use them if you have the appropriate experience.
The sound of fireworks will be very loud and scary for the raccoon. You'll likely turn around and run back into the woods.
The reason fireworks are put on the short-term list is that shooting fireworks continuously is not really practical. Once the noise is made, the raccoons will eventually return, but they will be wary for at least a few hours, if not a few days.
Also, let's talk about fireworks. No big fireworks here.
pots and pans
If you run out of fireworks, try something tamer. A metal pot or pan works perfectly.
Tap the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula. It should make a loud, vibrating metallic noise that will surely make a raccoon (and any nearby deer or bird) run away.
Even if you don't have time to grab a pot or pan, a loud clap or clapping your hands can be enough to do the trick.
Screaming
If you're low on supplies or your hands are full, try yelling at the raccoon. Raccoons are not used to the sounds of a screaming voice.
She is usually startled by any sound that is outside her normal domain. This may be less likely to work in urban environments. If you have a stubborn pet that is used to being yelled at, they will be less likely to run away.
Other ways to scare raccoons
Noise and noise is just one way to scare raccoons. The most effective deterrents combine noise and noise with a different type of visual or physical deterrent!
Some of the most practical ways to keep raccoons out may already be installed in and around your home.Let's take a closer look:
Lighter
Motion-activated headlights are your best defense against your masked goon. You should use a solar powered light so you don't have to charge it.
Check out these bestHmcity outdoor solar lightsif you want.
Raccoons are nocturnal, so they are used to the darkness of the night. A sudden, bright flash of light sends her running.
Be sure to strategically place the motion sensor light. If raccoons get into your trash cans, put the light there. If they get into the chicken coop, barn or your siding but the light is there.
There are many options out there. If you don't want to mess with wiring your lights, try a solar-powered outdoor light. It charges itself during the day and lights up when activated by movement. Be aware that solar powered items need to see the sun to work, so make sure you place them out of the shade!
Combine your motion-activated light with a noise suppressant such as wind chimes or bioacoustics for the best effect.
Motion activated sprinkler system
If you're looking for a humane way to physically repel your unwanted raccoon, try a motion-activated sprinkler system. This system is activated when the raccoon passes the motion sensor and surprises you with a shower.
There are several irrigation systems on the market. OOrbit 62100 Yard EnforcerIt's an excellent choice and inexpensive. It comes with two overriding additional benefits:
- Day and night protection- You can set the sprinkler to only turn on at night when the raccoons are most active. This saves accidental activations and saves battery and water consumption.
- intelligent detection– knows the difference between a tree in the wind and an animal that saves water and battery.
visual deterrent
Some animals are afraid of change. If they're in an area where a spotlight, statue, or silhouette suddenly appears, it could stop them from coming.
Nocturnal animals tend to have more rods than cones in their eyes, meaning their vision is adapted to low light conditions.
Raccoons in particular have a tapetum lucidum that reflects light and gives the appearance of glowing eyes when illuminated.It's a reflective layer behind the retina that basically helps them see in the dark using available light, even in dim light.
With that in mind, a coyote's silhouette might seem pointless to diurnal creatures at night, but raccoons can see them as long as there's at least some light. Keep in mind that if the silhouette isn't moved frequently, the raccoon will get used to it.
Reflectors, flashing lights, and even lasers have been explored to repel certain animals. You may need to try a few different visual deterrents before finding the right one to repel a raccoon.
The most likely places to find a raccoon near your home
Raccoons often attempt to sneak into a chimney, attic, or crawl space to build a nest and give birth to their young. The best way to avoid this is to protect your home.In frontYou have a raccoon problem.
The most common time of year that raccoons will come into your home is from late winter to early spring when they are preparing to give birth. They will try to find a safe place for their young.
If you find that a raccoon is in your home and has cubs, it is best to have a professional remove it or wait for the mother and cubs to come out on their own. If the young are separated from the mother, they will not survive long.
Schornsteine
To keep them off the chimney, consider covering them with a spark arrestor or chimney cap. This will certainly prevent neighborhood raccoons from seeing your chimney as a potential building site. It will also help repel birds, squirrels and mice.
Crawlspaces
If you have trouble with spaces under your porch, house, or shed, know that regular fences won't keep raccoons out. These sneaky little masked thugs will burrow under the fence or crawl over it to get where they want to go.
The solution? You must use 1/4 or 1/3 inch galvanized metal mesh, #10 gauge. Since raccoons are willing to burrow under fences, bury it at least 6 inches and then extend it 12 inches before soiling it to bury .
This type of fence also acts as a deterrent for skunks, squirrels, rats and skunks. Nothing wrong with that!
Garbage can
When your sneaky neighborhood thug has got used to your headlights and wind chimes, it might be time to consider another solution to keep your trash from spilling on your sidewalk.
Try using bungee cords to attach the trash can lids to the can. That way the trash won't fall out even if a raccoon knocks them over. When they know there is no food source, they stop coming.
If you're looking for a safer solution, consider using something like a bear-proof trash can. These are equipped with a latch that cannot be easily undone by pesky bears or raccoons.
Do raccoons get out on their own?
Raccoons are easy to identify and are common in almost every environment in the United States. They learned to adjust to life side by side with humans.
Generally, Raccoons will not leave your yard or home unattended unless they have an alternative den or food source.This means actively trying to get rid of a raccoon rather than waiting for the animal to go away on its own.
If you've moved into a housing development that used to be a forest strip, chances are the raccoons have been evicted and have no place to live.
Knowing where to build your new home may take a while. Raccoons generally only live within 1 to 3 miles of their spawning grounds. And because they are opportunistic, they will try to find the closest and easiest burrow area to their previous home.
The following are some of the most likely times that when you spot a raccoon, you can rest assured that it won't go out on its own for quite a while:
hibernation
Don't expect relief from winter raccoon visits. These whirling creatures don't hibernate, but they will certainly be less active during the harsh winter.
Raccoons build burrows near tree roots, in burrows, or similar environments. When the weather is bad, they seek as much shelter and warmth as possible, which is why they occasionally come to your home.
breeding season
Sometimes a raccoon will move into your attic or chimney in search of a safe, warm place for their young.
Raccoons usually mate from January to March and have their cubs in April and May. But just because you live in a state that stays warm year-round doesn't necessarily mean you'll see fewer raccoon invasions.
It's important to note that a mother raccoon usually cares for her cubs until late fall. If you find a family of raccoons nesting in your home, it is best to leave this to a professional as they will know how to keep the mother raccoon and her cubs together.
That's a wrap!
Raccoons are here to stay. They are now widespread in cities and rural communities, living alongside humans.
If you have problems with raccoons in your home, have chickens, or just don't want raccoons anywhere near your home, there are several ways to keep them away.
Use sounds and noises to scare raccoons. If you see one, try a short-term sound generator like clapping, fireworks, or screaming. For a long-term deterrent, try a radio, wind chime, or recorded video of a distress call or a predator.
The most effective way to deter raccoons is to use a combination of visual and audible deterrents. Most wildlife are afraid of anything new, even if it doesn't look like a coyote or other predator.
There are other ways to deter raccoons and you may have to try a few different ways before you find something that works. Make sure you change things up often or your unwanted visitor will get used to the deterrent and keep coming back.
Note that while raccoons are small and appear harmless, they can become quite aggressive when cornered, especially when defending their young. When in doubt, alwaysconsult a specialist.
references
Baldwin, R.A. (2021, February 5). raccoons. Retrieved from University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74116.html
Gilsdorf, J.M., Hygnstrom, S.E., & VerCauteren, K.C. (2003, September). Use of scare devices when dealing with damage caused by game. Retrieved from the University of Nebraska: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1221&context=icwdm_usdanwrc
Pierce, R.A. (nd). Dealing with raccoon problems in Missouri. Retrieved from the University of Missouri: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g9453
Distribution of raccoons in the United States. (2016). Retrieved from Utah State University: https://extension.usu.edu/wildlife-interactions/featured-animals/raccoons