Known for stealthily preying on chickens and feasting on lush garden greens, raccoons are nighttime nuisances. To prevent future unwelcome visits, the predator control experts at Nite Guard Solar have these easy tips on how to deter raccoons. If you take action, you can look forward to a property free from raccoons.
Are you ready to learn how to keep raccoons away? Read on.
Homemade Pepper Spray
Raccoons aren’t fond of spicy smells, so a cayenne pepper spray can be an easy and effective raccoon repellent. Mix a small bottle of cayenne pepper with a bottle of hot sauce, then add both to a gallon of water and shake well. Spray this pepper solution around your plants, bushes, and other garden greenery. If you’re trying to deter racoons from prowling your chicken coop, spray it around the perimeter, as well.
Epsom Salt Sprinkle
Continuing in the vein of undesirable scents, Epsom salt is another ingredient that keeps raccoons away. For the most effective protection, sprinkle Epsom salt both inside and surrounding your vegetable garden. Racoons will generally keep a safe distance from that smell, avoiding your garden and coops.
Fix the Fence
A broken fence means easy access to your chicken coop or garden for any curious and dedicated raccoon. If your property is enclosed by a fence, be sure to regularly check for fence damage, and repair any holes immediately. In addition to securing the outermost boundary of your property, be sure to use (and repair) the right type of hardware cloth for your chicken coop, since raccoons will try to reach through mesh cloth with wide enough openings. Use galvanized mesh hardware cloth with openings that are less than one square inch, which is small enough to keep raccoon hands out.
Take Away the Trash
Another easy racoon repellent is the establishment of a scent-free zone. In other words, keep all attractive scents (like the potent stew of garbage) under close cover. Attracted to even the faintest of food smells, raccoons enjoy scavenging for garbage and fallen fruit wherever it is easily accessible. Prevent raccoons from raiding your garbage bins by securing your trash can so that even when tipped over, the lids stay tightly in place. You might choose to look for new garbage bins outfitted with animal-proof latches. Also related to trash, continually check for and pick up any food in the form of fallen fruit (or scattered pet food if you have outdoor pets) before raccoons put your yard on their list for a midnight snack.
Raccoon Deterrent Lights
While all of the above tips are easy, the most ongoing-headache-free and long-lasting solution would be installing Nite Guard Solar lights. Predator deterrent lights are by far the most effective solution to ensure a raccoon-free property. They’re simple to install, weatherproof, and environmentally friendly, so Nite Guard Solar lights are the obvious choice to keep raccoons away for years to come.
To protect your chicken coop from raccoons, mount four Nite Guard Solar lights on all four sides of the coop (one light per side) and position them at eye level to a raccoon (about 10–15 inches from the ground and centered corner to corner).
To keep raccoons away from your garden, place a light about every 25 feet around the garden’s entire perimeter, and position them about 10–15 inches up from the ground. Placing a light in each direction ensures that, no matter where raccoons enter your property, they’ll immediately see Nite Guard Solar’s aggressive red eye, and stay far away from the sense of a threat.
Deter Other Predators
Installing the Nite Guard Solar predator deterrent lights — along with the other tips above — will go a long way to reassure you that your garden and chicken coop will be safe from raccoons. If your predator and animal troubles go beyond raccoons, you can learn how Nite Guard Solar lights can also deter other menaces such as deer and coyotes.
Contact Nite Guard Solar to share your predator deterrent questions and comments. For installation assistance and to order our raccoon deterrent lights, give us a call at 1-800-328-6647 or send us an email at info@niteguard.com.
As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of predator control and raccoon deterrent strategies, I can assure you that combating raccoon nuisances requires a multifaceted approach. The article you've provided touches upon several effective methods, and I'll delve into each concept with additional insights and evidence.
-
Homemade Pepper Spray:
- Expertise: Raccoons indeed have an aversion to spicy smells, making cayenne pepper a potent deterrent. The capsaicin in peppers irritates their senses.
- Additional Tip: Consider adding garlic to the mix. Garlic's strong odor enhances the repellent effect, deterring raccoons even further.
-
Epsom Salt Sprinkle:
- Expertise: Raccoons dislike certain scents, and Epsom salt contributes to creating an unwelcome environment for them.
- Additional Tip: Combine Epsom salt with essential oils like peppermint or citronella for an enhanced and longer-lasting effect.
-
Fix the Fence:
- Expertise: Raccoons are persistent and dexterous, and a broken fence provides them easy access. Galvanized mesh hardware cloth with small openings is crucial for effective exclusion.
- Additional Tip: Install an electric fence as an extra layer of security, especially around chicken coops.
-
Take Away the Trash:
- Expertise: Raccoons are attracted to food smells, and securing trash cans prevents them from scavenging for easy meals.
- Additional Tip: Clean up fallen fruit promptly, and consider using animal-proof bins with latches for added security.
-
Raccoon Deterrent Lights (Nite Guard Solar):
- Expertise: Predator deterrent lights, especially Nite Guard Solar lights, are highly effective. The red eye mimics a threat, deterring raccoons and other nocturnal predators.
- Additional Tip: Ensure proper installation heights and locations for optimal effectiveness. The recommendation of four lights around a chicken coop and spacing around a garden is based on raccoon behavior.
-
Deter Other Predators:
- Expertise: Nite Guard Solar lights are versatile and not only deter raccoons but also other potential threats like deer and coyotes.
- Additional Tip: Position lights strategically to cover multiple angles of entry, creating a comprehensive barrier against various predators.
In conclusion, the combination of these strategies provides a robust defense against raccoons and other nocturnal predators. Implementing these measures collectively, as outlined by Nite Guard Solar, ensures a well-protected property. For further inquiries or assistance, reaching out to Nite Guard Solar through the provided contact information is recommended.
