Send Raccoons Packing with These 8 Natural Deterrents

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Raccoons can be found in rural and urban areas, and they can be a problem all year round! Raccoons pose a possible threat because they can carry the rabies virus which can be a definite danger to you, your family and your pets. They can also carry distemper, roundworm, and fleas. They rummage through trash cans, creating a huge mess which can, in turn, attract other animals and insects in the process.

Other issues with raccoons in rural areas: they are a predator to chickens and they wreak havoc in vegetable gardens. Dealing with a raccoon infestation can be a very frustrating situation!

In my research, I came across 6 ways to naturally deter these pesky critters. Also, I will share tips on steps you can take to help keep them away for good!

1. Cayenne Pepper Spray to Protect Your Garden

Cayenne pepper is a great way to repel raccoons. These pesky rodents hate the smell of cayenne. Therefore, cayenne repellent spray is a very effective solution.

What you’ll need:

• 1 small canister of cayenne pepper
• 1 bottle of hot sauce
• 1 gallon of water

Instructions:

• Add 1 small canister of cayenne pepper and 1 bottle of hot sauce to 1 gallon of water.
• Spray the solution all over your garden plants, bushes, and shrubs.
• Reapply after rainfall.

2. Ammonia

Ammonia is another effective raccoon control solution.

How to use ammonia to deter raccoons:

• Position several ammonia soaked rags near/around the entrances of the raccoon’s nest.
• Spray ammonia around the places where raccoons have been spotted.
• Sprinkle one cup of ammonia solution around the inside of each trash can.
• Spray ammonia on the ground in the places to where raccoons are drawn.

3. Mothballs

Raccoons hate the odor of mothballs! Mothballs are commonly used by homeowners to get rid of raccoons in attics and/or crawlspaces. However, if mothballs are left in such places for long periods of time, the chemicals within mothballs can seep into the rest of your house, exposing people living there. Mothballs can be ingested by pets or even small children. Use this method with extreme caution!

4. Predator Urine

This deterrent method is meant to trick raccoons into thinking predators are nearby which will likely scare them away. This raccoon deterrent is readily available at most sporting goods stores and many online retailers. Look for urine from wolves, coyotes, bobcats or mountain lions, and use it around areas where raccoons are dwelling.

5. Another Method to Protect Your Garden: Epsom Salt

Raccoons can be very destructive to your vegetable garden!

They do not like the smell of epsom salt. To deter raccoons using this method, sprinkle epsom salt around and inside your vegetable garden. The masked critters will avoid your garden altogether and most likely will not return. However, you will need to reapply every time it rains or after a couple of weeks with no rain.

I never knew just how useful epsom salt was for gardeners! https://t.co/KDxDPVmngR http://pic.twitter.com/c0NTPuZ59t

— Survival Life (@SurvivalLF) July 29, 2016

6. Secure Your Chicken Coop

You don’t need to make your chicken coop into a fortress to protect your chickens from raccoons, but it helps. Raccoons can open many latches, so use a latch you can padlock to keep the windows, doors, and other openings on your coop securely locked during evening and nighttime hours. Use a strong wire mesh with small openings that are no larger than 1/2 inch to keep raccoons from reaching into your coop or breaking through it. Put a roof on your coop and fasten it down tightly. If a raccoon can’t break into your coop easily, he will likely move on and not return.

More Tips to Keep Raccoons Away:

• Keep trash cans secure. Lids can be made secure with bungee cords.
• Keep your yard clean and free from any litter that could attract them and make them curious to rummage around your property.
• Pick up your pet’s water bowls at night.
• Pick up your pet’s food bowls at night.

All kinds of critters can invade your home, making your life more difficult and your family less safe. Check out our other natural pest control tips to keep the invaders at bay:

How to Get Rid of Mice in the Coming Season

Plants That Repel Insects and Pests

Natural Ways to Repel Grasshoppers

5 Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Fleas In and Around Your Home

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

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