Raccoons readily consume bird seed, a common problem for homeowners who maintain backyard feeders. These highly adaptable mammals are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they exploit any readily available food source in their environment. Because bird feeders present a predictable and concentrated source of calories, they become a frequent target for these nocturnal visitors. Raccoons treat the contents of a bird feeder as a convenient and easy meal, making deterrence a persistent challenge for bird enthusiasts.
Why Bird Seed Appeals to Raccoons
The attraction to bird seed is rooted in the raccoon’s omnivorous dietary needs and the high caloric density of commercial mixes. Raccoons require a varied diet of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, much of which they seek out in preparation for leaner seasons. Bird seed, particularly those containing black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and corn, offers a substantial energy reward for minimal foraging effort.
Black oil sunflower seeds are especially appealing due to their high fat content, which provides a concentrated source of energy necessary for survival. Similarly, components like suet and peanuts are rich in fat and protein, making them irresistible to a mammal looking to maximize its caloric intake. The abundance and accessibility of the seed make the feeder an attractive stop on a raccoon’s nightly foraging route. This energy-rich meal is particularly desirable during late spring and summer when female raccoons are feeding their growing young and require more sustenance.
Common Methods Raccoons Use to Get Seed
Raccoons possess physical traits that make them effective at breaching bird feeders and storage containers. They are excellent climbers, capable of scaling trees, fences, and poles to reach suspended feeders. Their strength allows them to knock feeders to the ground, dislodge them from hooks, or pry open container lids.
A raccoon’s significant advantage is its remarkable dexterity. Their front paws are highly sensitive and can manipulate complex latches, twist-off lids, and other mechanisms that would deter less capable animals. Evidence of a raccoon visit often includes feeders found completely dismantled, lids removed from storage bins, and large quantities of seed scattered across the ground. These animals demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, learning quickly from failed attempts to devise new strategies for accessing the reward.
Securing Feeders and Storage Areas
The most effective strategy against raccoons is making the food unavailable during their active hours. Since raccoons are primarily nocturnal, removing bird feeders from dusk until dawn eliminates the opportunity for nightly raids. Alternatively, consistently rationing the seed to provide only what birds will consume during daylight hours ensures the feeders are empty when the raccoons arrive.
To secure feeders left outside, mounting them on a smooth metal pole with an appropriately sized baffle is recommended. A raccoon baffle should be a wide, cone-shaped or stovepipe-style barrier, ideally placed at least four to five feet above the ground to prevent climbing. The feeder pole should be positioned at least eight to ten feet away from any structure, tree, or fence a raccoon could use as a jumping platform.
For stored bird seed, plastic containers offer little defense as raccoons can chew through them or use their strength to open the lids. Storing bird seed in heavy-duty galvanized metal containers with tightly secured or locking lids is necessary to prevent access. As an added layer of defense for stubborn raiders, some people use commercial bird seed treated with capsaicin, a compound found in hot peppers, which birds cannot taste but mammals find aversive. This humane deterrent will discourage raccoons from consuming the seed without harming the birds.