# Help me raccoon proof a garbage shed **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 11, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417 "2020-06-11T00:17:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![blood63](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/1 "2020-06-11T00:17:31Z")
A crafty raccoon has managed to penetrate the deterents of my girlfriend’s garbage shed. Currently a hefty 2 x 6 completely spans the double doors and slides neatly into two metal supports that are open at the top. The raccoon simply lifts the board out of the slots. Two simple solutions would be to raise the board higher but the would leave gaping bolt holes in the shed. And it’s possible the raccoon could still climb up higher to knock it out. The second would be a couple of eye hooks at each end of the board. I’m wondering if the Dope has a better, easier, no cost solution. BTW, also working on trapping the beast but there will surely be another creature down the road so the is only a temporary solution. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/2 "2020-06-11T01:02:27Z")
I’m trying to visualize the board. Something like this only across two doors? > **[See-Safe Drop Open Bar Security Door Lock Brackets Fits 2x4 Boards 1 1/2" Wide 1...](https://www.amazon.com/Drop-Open-Security-Brackets-Boards/dp/B00H1BRXYM)** > > Buy See-Safe Drop Open Bar Security Door Lock Brackets Fits 2x4 Boards 1 1/2" Wide 1 Pair Stopper Jammer Barricade at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision! If so, it looks you just need a way to hold the board down a little. Maybe a pair of bungee cords or perhaps a cinder block tied to the center of the board. Would just a sturdy hook at the top of the doors work? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/3 "2020-06-11T01:22:03Z")
I would go with a weighted bar. Raccoons are very crafty and fast learners. A hook won’t fool them very long. I’m not sure a cider block hanging off the door/ plank would be convenient or attractive, tho. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/4 "2020-06-11T01:33:32Z")
To keep critters out of our hen house through small liftable doors for the chickens, we drilled large bolt holes through the doors in both the closed and open positions, as well as through the hen house behind the doors. Then we pinned them in place with large 8" bolts. Raccoons never figured it out. ETA: In a situation like yours where the raccoon has already enjoyed success, I’d use threaded bolts and for awhile at least, I’d use nuts on the inside overnight to prevent the raccoon from successfully pulling out the bolts. Once he/she figures out the bolt cannot be dislodged, he/she will stop trying. ---
**Author:** ![blood63](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/5 "2020-06-11T01:43:40Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I’m trying to visualize the board. Something like this only across two doors? > [https://www.amazon.com/Drop-Open-Security-Brackets-Boards/dp/B00H1BRXYM](https://www.amazon.com/Drop-Open-Security-Brackets-Boards/dp/B00H1BRXYM) > > If so, it looks you just need a way to hold the board down a little. Maybe a pair of bungee cords or perhaps a cinder block tied to the center of the board. > > Would just a sturdy hook at the top of the doors work? That’s exactly what it looks like. I thought of bungees as well. The cinderblock would make it harder for my girlfriend to remove. ---
**Author:** ![blood63](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/6 "2020-06-11T01:47:31Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > To keep critters out of our hen house through small liftable doors for the chickens, we drilled large bolt holes through the doors in both the closed and open positions, as well as through the hen house behind the doors. Then we pinned them in place with large 8" bolts. > > Raccoons never figured it out. > > ETA: In a situation like yours where the raccoon has already enjoyed success, I’d use threaded bolts and for awhile at least, I’d use nuts on the inside overnight to prevent the raccoon from successfully pulling out the bolts. Once he/she figures out the bolt cannot be dislodged, he/she will stop trying. Sorry, but I’m having trouble visualizing this. How would I enter the shed to secure the nut on the bolt? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/7 "2020-06-11T01:56:00Z")
> [@blood63](#): > > Sorry, but I’m having trouble visualizing this. How would I enter the shed to secure the nut on the bolt? I’m so sorry. Visualization is less my strong suit than yours! We have a separate door into the hen house. The small doors that are bolted to prevent entry by critters are only large enough for the chickens, not humans. Obviously if your large doors are the only access/egress, you couldn’t secure the nuts as I described. I will say that we never used nuts to secure the bolts, and we never had a raccoon invasion. That’s over 16 years. The long bolts might be enough, especially since the raccoon will have to figure out that 2 bolts need to be removed in order to dislodge the board. Raccoons are smart, but maybe not _that_ smart. They will absolutely figure out how to lift eye hooks, though. ETA: Having now seen what you’re working with, you could also use brackets that are closed at the top, requiring the board to be slid from one side to the other to remove it. Drilling a bolt hole or two would keep the raccoon from being able to slide the board in this situation. ---
**Author:** ![blood63](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/8 "2020-06-11T02:38:35Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I’m so sorry. Visualization is less my strong suit than yours! > > We have a separate door into the hen house. The small doors that are bolted to prevent entry by critters are only large enough for the chickens, not humans. Obviously if your large doors are the only access/egress, you couldn’t secure the nuts as I described. > > I will say that we never used nuts to secure the bolts, and we never had a raccoon invasion. That’s over 16 years. The long bolts might be enough, especially since the raccoon will have to figure out that 2 bolts need to be removed in order to dislodge the board. Raccoons are smart, but maybe not _that_ smart. > > They will absolutely figure out how to lift eye hooks, though. > > ETA: Having now seen what you’re working with, you could also use brackets that are closed at the top, requiring the board to be slid from one side to the other to remove it. Drilling a bolt hole or two would keep the raccoon from being able to slide the board in this situation. Got it! And definitely a possibility. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/9 "2020-06-11T02:42:11Z")
> [@blood63](#): > > That’s exactly what it looks like. > I thought of bungees as well. > The cinderblock would make it harder for my girlfriend to remove. Anything that works will be harder than lifting a board. Why didn’t the bungees work? There must be nearly infinite ways to secure a pair of doors from raccoons. Poke holes in the ground and drop in some stakes (assuming the doors open out). Hasp with carabiner or, failing that, nut and bolt. Apartment/hotel-style chain lock. Any number of gate latches. Cinder block or sandbag laid in front of the doors. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/10 "2020-06-11T12:29:07Z")
Why not just add another set of metal brackets above the 2x4 facing down, with one fixed and the other mounted on a swivel? (Or equivalent hardware which is probably available) So to close, you slide the 2x4 into the fixed bracket which surrounds in on all sides, then drop it into the open-to-the-top bracket on the other side, and rotate the top bracket down to lock the 2x4 in place. Raccoons can push, but I don’t think they can rotate brackets. ---
**Author:** ![blood63](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/11 "2020-06-11T17:47:24Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Why not just add another set of metal brackets above the 2x4 facing down, with one fixed and the other mounted on a swivel? (Or equivalent hardware which is probably available) > > So to close, you slide the 2x4 into the fixed bracket which surrounds in on all sides, then drop it into the open-to-the-top bracket on the other side, and rotate the top bracket down to lock the 2x4 in place. Raccoons can push, but I don’t think they can rotate brackets. Great idea. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![brossa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brossa/32/3040_2.png) [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/12 "2020-06-12T01:38:19Z")
A bent, springy piece of metal, shaped something like this: [https://www.myjoychic.com/products/spring-innovative-door-27158064](https://www.myjoychic.com/products/spring-innovative-door-27158064) It compresses against the door as the beam is dropped in place, but springs back out once the beam is seated. You have to press it back to lift the beam back out. You could probably bend a metal ruler to do this. Even cheaper would be a shim to jam between the beam and the bracket, wedging it in place to arbitrary tightness. Or add some opposing pieces on the bracket and beam such that the beam has to be slid sideways an inch or two before it can be lifted up. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/13 "2020-06-12T02:42:11Z")
Maybe a piece of wood at the bottom of the knob side of the door, or even the other side. Mounted such that you have to lift it with your toe, while opening the door. If it is not held, it drops back down. So the thief has to be able to hold it up and open the knob at the same time. Their reach is limited. ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/14 "2020-06-12T05:49:11Z")
> [@blood63](#): > > That’s exactly what it looks like. > I thought of bungees as well. > The cinderblock would make it harder for my girlfriend to remove. Bolt a 2nd set of brackets above pointing down. Slide the board in from the end. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-raccoon-proof-a-garbage-shed/855417/15 "2020-06-13T06:37:28Z")
Racoons are looking to evolve opposable thumbs for turning objects like doorknobs, screws and such. > **[The Loyal Opposabalition](https://www.weeklystorybook.com/comic_strip_of_the_daycom/2017/04/the-loyal-opposabalition.html)** > > Today's Loose Parts is delightfully meta. Larson's 1984 gag played on the fact that the whole notion of opposable thumbs was something we learned in biology class and then didn't even file away: We just tossed it into the junk drawer of our minds...