What Gets Rid of Raccoons In Your Yard? (11 Ways That Work)

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In this article, we’ll answer the question:

“What gets rid of raccoons in your yard?”

First, you’ll find a short summary of the most common ways to remove raccoons from your yard using scent and physical repellents, then get a detailed list and explanation of these methods to keep raccoons off your property.

Raccoons are medium-sized mammals in the family Procyonidae under the order Carnivora. These omnivores are native to North America but are also distributed across mainland Europe, the Caucasus, and Japan, and are well-known for their striped ring-tail appearance.

raccoon in yard

What Gets Rid of Raccoons In Your Yard?

The best ways to get rid of raccoons in your yard is to use scent and physical repellents such as cayenne pepper, vinegar, peppermint oil, predator urine, eviction fluid, motion-activated sprinklers and lights, sounds, electric fences, and wire mesh.

Scent Repellents to Get Rid of Raccoons In a Yard

Raccoons have a very keen sense of smell, and they are repelled by certain odors that they find unpleasant or irritating. You can use these scents to create a barrier around your yard or to target specific areas where raccoons are active.

Cayenne Pepper

This spicy ingredient can cause a burning sensation in the raccoon’s nose and mouth, making them avoid it. You can sprinkle cayenne pepper powder around your trash cans, garden beds, or trees, or you can make a spray by mixing one tablespoon of cayenne pepper with one quart of water and a few drops of dish soap.

Vinegar

This acidic substance can also irritate the raccoon’s nose and eyes, as well as mask any food smells that may attract them. You can soak rags or cotton balls in vinegar and place them around your yard, or you can spray vinegar directly on the areas where raccoons are frequenting.

Peppermint Oil

This essential oil has a strong minty smell that raccoons dislike. You can dab peppermint oil on cotton balls and place them around your yard, or you can mix 20 drops of peppermint oil with two cups of water and spray it on the raccoon’s entry points.

Ammonia

This chemical has a pungent smell that mimics the urine of predators, making raccoons feel threatened and scared. You can soak rags or cotton balls in ammonia and place them around your yard, or you can pour ammonia into a spray bottle and squirt it on the raccoon’s trails or dens.

Predator Urine

This is another way to use the fear factor to repel raccoons. You can buy predator urine products such as coyote urine or fox urine from online stores or garden centers, and apply them around your yard according to the instructions. Alternatively, you can use your own urine or your dog’s urine as a natural predator urine.

Raccoon Eviction Fluid

This is a special product that contains the scent of male raccoon pheromones, which can drive away female raccoons with babies. This is useful if you have a raccoon family nesting in your yard or under your deck. You can buy raccoon eviction fluid from online stores or wildlife removal companies, and apply it near the raccoon’s den according to the instructions.

Physical Repellents to Get Rid of Raccoons In a Yard

Raccoons are also deterred by certain physical stimuli that they find annoying or frightening. You can use these devices to create a hostile environment for raccoons in your yard or to scare them away when they approach.

Motion-Activated Sprinklers

These are devices that spray water when they detect movement in their range. Raccoons hate getting wet, and they will run away from the sudden burst of water. You can install motion-activated sprinklers around your yard, especially near your trash cans, garden beds, or trees. One of the best products in this category is the Orbit Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Sprinkler , which has day and night detection modes and covers up to 1,600 ft².

Motion-Activated Lights

These are devices that turn on bright lights when they sense motion in their area. Raccoons are nocturnal animals, and they are startled by sudden flashes of light. You can install motion-activated lights around your yard, especially near your trash cans, garden beds, or trees. 

One of the best products in this category is the Mr. Beams Wireless Motion Sensor LED Spotlight, which has a weatherproof design and a battery life of up to one year.

Motion-Activated sounds

These are devices that emit loud noises when they detect movement in their vicinity. Raccoons are sensitive to sounds, and they will be scared by the unexpected noise. You can use motion-activated sounds such as sirens, alarms, barking dogs, or human voices to repel raccoons from your yard. 

One of the best products in this category is the Hoont Solar Powered Motion Activated Animal Repeller, which has a solar panel and a rechargeable battery, and can produce various sounds and flashes.

Electric Fences

These are fences that deliver a mild electric shock when touched. Raccoons are curious animals, and they will try to climb over or under fences to get to your yard. However, if they encounter an electric fence, they will quickly learn to avoid it. You can install an electric fence around your yard, especially if you have a large property or a lot of raccoon activity. 

One of the best products in this category is the Zareba AC-Powered Electric Fence Charger, which can energize up to 10 miles of fence and has a weather-resistant case.

Wire Mesh

This is a simple but effective way to prevent raccoons from entering your yard or accessing certain areas. Raccoons cannot chew through wire mesh, and they will have a hard time climbing over it. You can use wire mesh to cover any gaps or holes in your fences, walls, vents, or roofs, or to create barriers around your trash cans, garden beds, or trees. 

One of the best products in this category is the Amagabeli Hardware Cloth, which is made of galvanized steel and has 1/4 inch mesh openings.

Learn More About Raccoons

Now that you know more about the things that get rid of raccoons from your yard, you may also be interested in these other educational guides on these mammals:

Get Rid of Raccoons In Your Yard Summary

You now know what gets rid of raccoons in your yard.

As you discovered, the best ways to get rid of raccoons from a yard are to use scent and physical repellents such as cayenne pepper, vinegar, peppermint oil, predator urine, eviction fluid, motion-activated sprinklers and lights, sounds, electric fences, and wire mesh.