How to Prevent Raccoons From Digging in Your Yard:
Here’s a method that’s affordable and can possibly get rid of raccoons digging in your yard:
Try a solar powered animal deterrent like this one.
https://amzn.to/47UhNPq
I’ve seen some success with multiple homeowners using these solar powered animal deterrents. I would give this a shot as it’s very affordable and can have success!
Proven methods that work:
I have applied these methods to my client’s property many times with good results. But, ultimately, trapping and removing a persistent raccoon will remedy to problem.
- Cheap garden bird netting– Amazon: Garden Bird Netting Use the provided pins to stake sections of netting onto areas where the skunk or raccoon had dug. Initially, it takes time and work but if you can keep the netting over your lawn for at least two weeks (maybe more), it’ll motivate the raccoons and skunks to go somewhere else. Stick with it! If you have a huge lawn and you’re being attacked at all areas then you might want to consider calling a professional to trap and remove the raccoons. But this will definitely help deter raccoons and skunks from digging in your yard.
- Electric fence or wire– Applying electric wire 8 inches high and 8 inches away from the exterior base of a fence will discourage most critters from getting through. Also, wrapping an electrical wire around a tree trunk where raccoons climb will work.
- Raccoon Trapping– It is advisable to hire a wildlife operator as the average homeowner will lack the proper equipment to trap and remove the animal after it’s been trapped. Plus, relocating (check laws) can usually end up with the animal desperately trying to return only to be hit by a vehicle.
- Motion Sensored Pet Spray – 80% of my calls are regarding animals breaking into the home at the foundation level. Broken vents, burrowing holes into the crawlspace and opened trap doors. For clients that couldn’t afford my services I would suggest a humane way of evicting their raccoon, skunk or opossum. By attaching the spray system right at the corner or in front of the point of entry. Whatever comes in or out will get blasted with a sudden loud, pressurized burst of air. Attach the device onto a stake and dig it into the ground right in front of the hole or duct tape onto the wall. It sounds silly but it can certainly save your a lot of money. Keep it place for about 4-5 days then stuff the hole with a plastic bag. They usually come out everyday to feed and drink. If the bag is still in place for 3 nights you can seal the hole with a bag of cement or replace the vent screen if that where it was coming out of.
- Cayenne pepper– Wildlife are persistent and very clever. They will dig under, around and into everything. If you have a skunk, raccoon or opossum digging into the soil to gain access to your crawlspace, deck, shed or into your yard, buy cayenne pepper and mix it into the excavated soil. Then, backfill the cayenne mixed soil into the hole at the point of entry. The skunk will definitely dig back through a few times. Everytime it does, you would use the same mixed cayenne soil to backfill the hole. This might take 4-5 tries but eventually the skunk will leave. Cayenne pepper will irritate their nasal system and give up after a few days. Seal up the hole with a bag of cement once the hole has been unbothered for 3 nights.
- Dog Shock Training Pad – These are used on couches and countertops to keep pets away. Most pets never return after just one jolt. They provide a shock from a 9 volt battery and is wireless if an steps on it. Apply this pad any any point of entry. Whether it’s on the ground, on top of a fence or a broken vent. Try to adhere it to the ground or weight down the corners with a brick etc. You can easily duct tape this on a wall as well. You’d probably want to keep kids and pets away from this device. Once again, after it’s been set for a few days place a plastic bag or board at the point of entry. If it’s been unbothered for about 3 nights then, seal up the hole.
Animals Above Ground Level
If you have an animal climbing onto your to roof to gain access to your attic you have to identify how they’re getting up there. Most of time it’s a tree. Cut the tree back. If it’s a fence lay down carpet tack strips on top of the fence until they leave, then seal the hole.
Let’s Talk Little About Predator Scents and Urine
Coyote urine, ammonia balls and the like are only effective when a nursing mother has babies in confined areas like an attic or crawlspace. A place where the mother thinks there’s danger nearby with a narrow escape. It won’t work in open yards or anywhere outdoors. If you have a single animal with no cubs or kits then there’s really no use for these scents.
The best, proven scent when it comes to nursing raccoons is raccoon eviction fluid. This scent is a pheromone of a boar male raccoon which displays it’s aggressive intention to mark it’s territory to maintain it’s dominance as the superior male in the area. It will kill babies to accomplish it’s status and mother raccoon will pick up her kits and leave. You can always try any type of urine or ammonia balls for other animals living in the attic or crawlspace. It can work but the success rate is pretty low.
Methods that DO NOT work against raccoons digging up your lawn:
These methods I have seen many clients use only having to call me for a better solution.
- Ammonia– I’ve literally seen raccoons pee and poop in ammonia filled bowls that were scattered to protect the grapes at the owner’s vineyard. Ammonia is not strong enough in open spaces like your yard.
- Motion-sensored sprinklers– These devices will startle raccoons but these animals are usually very confident and they will return as they are quick learners. It’s less of a deterrent towards a pack of raccoons as these packs aren’t afraid of humans in certain situations- Raccoons attack a couple and a dog
- Radios– Maybe this method will work against a mother raising babies in a confined area, such as an attic or crawlspace, but not out in open space like your yard. Radios facing a den in close quarters causes human proximity concerns which will motivate mother raccoon to leave.
- Coyote urine– If you live in urban areas where coyotes are scarce and or don’t live, then these raccoons do not recognize the predator scent which cause coyote urine not to work.
- Fences– Raccoons can dig under the fence or exploit cracks in the fence to climb over it.
Prevent a Raccoon Digging in Your Yard
(scroll down)
Caught on Tape!
Why is a Raccoon Digging Up My Lawn?
Raccoons forage for grub, grub and more grubs… This is the only reason why raccoons dig up your lawn. Read more to stop raccoon digging.
How to Prevent Raccoons From Digging in Your Yard:
Here’s a method that’s affordable and can possibly get rid of raccoons digging in your yard:
Try a solar powered animal deterrent like this one.
https://amzn.to/47UhNPq
I’ve seen some success with multiple homeowners using these solar powered animal deterrents. I would give this a shot as it’s very affordable and can have success!
Proven methods that work:
I have applied these methods to my client’s property many times with good results. But, ultimately, trapping and removing a persistent raccoon will remedy to problem.
Animals Above Ground Level
If you have an animal climbing onto your to roof to gain access to your attic you have to identify how they’re getting up there. Most of time it’s a tree. Cut the tree back. If it’s a fence lay down carpet tack strips on top of the fence until they leave, then seal the hole.
Let’s Talk Little About Predator Scents and Urine
Coyote urine, ammonia balls and the like are only effective when a nursing mother has babies in confined areas like an attic or crawlspace. A place where the mother thinks there’s danger nearby with a narrow escape. It won’t work in open yards or anywhere outdoors. If you have a single animal with no cubs or kits then there’s really no use for these scents.
The best, proven scent when it comes to nursing raccoons is raccoon eviction fluid. This scent is a pheromone of a boar male raccoon which displays it’s aggressive intention to mark it’s territory to maintain it’s dominance as the superior male in the area. It will kill babies to accomplish it’s status and mother raccoon will pick up her kits and leave. You can always try any type of urine or ammonia balls for other animals living in the attic or crawlspace. It can work but the success rate is pretty low.
Methods that DO NOT work against raccoons digging up your lawn:
These methods I have seen many clients use only having to call me for a better solution.
What Are Grubs & How To Get Rid Of Grubs?
Grub worms are larvae from Japanese beetles (and other beetles), who lay their eggs in the summertime and rise to the surface in August. This is usually the time when your friendly neighborhood raccoons sniff them out. The raccoons will dig these little insects up and they’ll do so all night under the cover of darkness. Unfortunately, getting rid of lawn grubs usually takes time due to timing and process. Check this out on How to Get Rid of Grubs.
Also see how to prevent skunks from digging under your home and bat removal.