Out Out Damned Raccoons!!

Factual Questions
1

Dear Unca Cecil and all:

We are having a hell of a time with raccoons–climbing the sides of the house to eat out of birdfeeders, trying to get into garbage (but we fooled the little buggers by locking the recycles and garbage up) and also defecating on our decks (To mark territory??? Give us a message??? Just had to go??? What??).

We have tried just about everything short of shooting the little pests–any ideas from the hordes of readers to get rid of these critters once and for all?? (and besides, I am a lousy shot with a BB gun, but that’s another story…)

They are getting increasingly brazen, hiding behind trees playing peek-a-boo with my husband (who leaves early in the AM for work) and atttempting to attack our cats through the windows.

Please don’t suggest trapping and releasing elsewhere–it is against the law and can be quite dangerous (tried that here already).

Thanks!

I am and will remain,
Sysyphus’ Sister

2

Get several tins of cayenne (sp?) pepper, & sprinkle it liberally near the places they like to go.

Consider replacing your metal cans with tall plastic wheeled trash carts.

Work with your neighbors on this because they are probably troubled by these boogers too.

Where is it illegal to live trap pests? :confused:

If all else fails, call an exterminator that handles larger pests.:confused: :confused:

3

most sites suggest an electric fence as a good start to proofing your home.
http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/wildlife/g09453.htm .

Probably guards and barbed wire might help as well

4

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor *

Where is it illegal to live trap pests? :confused:
It is not illegal to trap them–it is illegal to transport them to other areas and release them.

Since I live on a river I suppose I could just drown them…

Thanks for the suggestion, however.

I am and remain,
SYSYPHUS’ SISTER

5

I ran across this article the other day. You might want to try his formula.

http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0317v101-17.html

6

Buy some Furbies© and put them around the perimeter of your house. When the 'coons approach, the Furbies© will start chattering and will scare the raccoons.