Suburban Raccoons

Many people have tried raccoon traps to no avail. The writer even tried using a raccoon trap. We eventually gave up with the trap turning to a professional who had a much different solution. Before you spend $100 buying a raccoon trap read the rest of this post and then decide what you want to do. These raccoons are smart enough not to go inside the trap and trigger the door to close.

We had raccoons in the attic and tried to trap them. We manage to get two of the young raccoons into the traps and took them out into the country, but could never trap the adults. They were just too smart for us and we found it very frustrating. Somehow they were able to get the food we put inside the trap, but they would not go inside and they did not trigger the trap to close. This was a humane trap like the ones shown in the picture. We tried loud music, moth balls and of course trapping. None of these worked at all.

Raccoon Traps – Install a One Way Trap Door Instead

The solution is to install a one way trap door across the entrance to the den, so they can get out of the den, but they cannot get back in. This is very important. You do not want them to be able to get back into your attic, however you must make sure the babies are old enough to get out. Installing a one way trap door will keep this family of raccoons out and all of the other families living in the area out as well. They just seem to know when there is a den that is vacant. Trapping will  only deal with the current family and within months another family of raccoons will take their place. This is one of the most frustrating challenges to deal with around your home. You cannot control them and that is what is really frustrating!

Make sure the Young Pups are Old Enough to Travel

Adult raccoons will try to get back inside by tearing the roof apart if their babies are still inside, so make sure they can get out. Our last post talked about raccoon poison and why this also does not work. If  you are lucky enough to trap a raccoon, you are going to have one spitting clawing biting mad raccoon on your hands so be very careful. Just remember that other raccoons will be along soon to claim the vacant den. Installing a one way trap door is the only way to deal with them.

Also if you do catch a raccoon in a raccoon trap, some cities and municipalities have bylaws that make it illegal to release them more than a half mile from were they were trapped. Rest assured they are just going to come back to your home the next night! This law may seem ridiculous, at least to us it does, but we are not going to try and break the law or suggest that you do. It is just a whole lot easier to install that one trap door, wait for them to leave and replace the trap door with a permanent wire mesh so they can never get back in again.

Block Squirrels and Birds

Don’t forget to also place a wire mesh over any other locations that might be possible for the raccoons or squirrels to gain access to your attic. Birds also like to make a nest in locations that are protected from the weather and a bit warmer. They have even been know to make a nest around chimneys or in chimneys. A wire mesh over all potential locations will keep the birds and squirrels out as well. When you do the job , do it right the first time and block all animals from access to your attic.

We welcome comments and helpful stories about dealing with raccoons. Remember that raccoon traps really do not work well at all.

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