Raccoons may see lovely with their piddling bandit face , but when they invade your garden , they can quickly become a major pain in the neck . These nocturnal visitant are notorious for savvy up plant , stealing fruit and vegetables , and creating chaos in compost bin and rubbish cans .

Because raccoons are intelligent and resourceful , stay fresh them out postulate a combination of smart strategies . Thankfully , with a small feat and creativity , you may protect your garden in a humane and eco - well-disposed way . Here are 9   effective methods to keep racoon out of your garden for good .

1. Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers

Raccoons detest surprise , and a sudden burst of water is often enough to send them running . move - activated sprinklers are one of the most in force tools for dissuade raccoons because they react to movement and deliver an unexpected spray of body of water . rank these sprinklers near gamey - traffic expanse , such as vegetable beds , compost piles , or trash bins . Many manakin allow you to correct the sensitivity and range , so you’re able to target specific areas without scourge water .

I once had a persistent racoon problem around my tomatoes , and after set up a motion - activated sprinkler , the nightly raids stopped almost immediately . The best part ? It ’s all harmless to racoon , pets , and industrial plant , making it an eco - friendly solution that also keeps your garden hydrated .

2. Secure Your Trash Bins

raccoon are opportunistic feeders , and unsecured rubbish bins are much an assailable invitation . To keep racoon from rummage through your garbage , invest in backbreaking - tariff BIN with tight - match lids or racoon - validation lock . If you do n’t want to exchange your bank identification number , try out ensure the hat with bungee cord or heavy rocks .

For total protective cover , store your trash bins in a shed or garage whenever possible . Even the smell of food scraps can attract raccoon to your garden , so double - bag strong - smelling trash and avoid putting out bins until the morning of collection day . I con this lesson the hard elbow room after incur my trash strewn across the curtilage — once I get going securing the lids , the job disappear .

3. Use Strong-Smelling Natural Repellents

raccoon have an excellent sense of smell , and certain aroma can deter them from hang around . Substances like ammonium hydroxide , acetum , garlic , and peppermint oil are all in force natural repellents . dowse cotton orchis in one of these substance and localise them near submission point , garden bed , or compost piles . Reapply the repellents every few day or after rain to maintain their effectiveness .

I ’ve found that peppermint oil works particularly well — it not only keeps raccoons away but also deter insects like ants and spiders . Bonus : It leaves your garden reek fresh and minty !

4. Build a Raccoon-Proof Fence

A sturdy fence can be one of the most reliable ways to keep raccoon out of your garden , but it involve to be design with their climbing and digging abilities in mind . racoon are excellent climbers , so prefer for a fencing that ’s at least four feet in high spirits with the top angled outward at a 45 - degree slant to forestall them from climb up over . To cease them from digging underneath , bury the bottom of the fencing at least 6–12 in inscrutable and consider using hardware cloth or wimp wire for added durability .

While installing a fence can be a pregnant investment of time and effort , the payoff is a garden that ’s protected not only from raccoon but also from other pests like rabbits and cervid . I added a computer hardware cloth roadblock around my raised beds , and it ’s been a game - changer for keeping all kinds of critters out .

5. Eliminate Food Sources

One of the easiest ways to deter raccoons is to take away the food sources that attract them in the first place . Fallen fruit , uncovered compost , and leftover preferent food are all magnets for raccoons . Make it a habit to clean up your garden regularly , clean up any fruit that ’s fallen to the undercoat and storing pet food indoors . If you have a compost pile , avoid adding meat , dairy farm , or buttery foods , as these are specially appealing to raccoon .

After one too many nighttime of observe my compost bin bust , I switched to a sealed compost tumbler . Not only did it keep the raccoon out , but it also rush up the composting unconscious process !

6. Light Up Your Garden

Raccoons are nocturnal and prefer to operate under natural covering of darkness . install motility - set off lights in your garden can interrupt their nighttime body process and make them feel exposed . Solar - powered light are an vigor - efficient choice that ’s gentle to determine up , and many models are plan to activate only when motion is notice , conserving energy while still keep raccoons at bay .

I installed solar igniter around my compost bin and garden bed , and the deviation was straightaway . The raccoons , startle by the sudden brightness , stopped visiting altogether . Just be sure to set the lights strategically near arena where raccoon are most active .

7. Set Up Physical Barriers

For specific plants or small garden beds , physical barrier like garden gauze , course covers , or Gallus gallus wire can ply an add stratum of protection . These materials make it difficult for raccoons to get at your fruits and vegetables while still admit sunlight and water to reach the plants . insure the edge tightly to preclude raccoons from slipping underneath or shoot through the textile .

I used lightweight netting to cover my strawberry plants during their peak time of year , and it work wonder . The raccoon gave up after a few failed endeavour , and I savor a full harvest for the first sentence in years !

8. Encourage Natural Predators

Raccoons are course leery of predators like owls , hawk , and coyotes . attract these predators to your garden can aid keep racoon at bay tree . For example , installing an owl boxwood or creating a bird - friendly home ground can advance owls to take up residence near your garden .

If attracting existent predators is n’t viable , debate placing predatory animal steerer like faux owls or war hawk in your garden . Move them around periodically to keep the fancy of activity , as raccoons are smart enough to cipher out if a decoy is n’t real .

9. Plant Repellent Flowers

Certain industrial plant , like marigolds and lavender , naturally beat back racoon due to their inviolable scents . Planting these flowers around the perimeter of your garden can play as a instinctive barrier , keeping raccoons from venturing further inside . Not only are these plants good deterrents , but they also add dish and color to your garden .

You could plant marigolds around your vegetable layer this summertime , and they will keep both raccoon and rabbits at Laurus nobilis while lighten up the space .

  • This article was created with the help of AI .