Raccoons (\(Procyon\) \(lotor\)) are highly adaptable mammals thriving across North America in both wild forests and urban environments. Their resourceful nature and diverse diet often bring them into contact with human property and gardens. Homeowners frequently seek natural methods to protect cultivated spaces from these masked omnivores. A common inquiry is whether raccoons consume garden plants like marigolds, as they seek to minimize property damage.
The Raccoon Diet Profile
Raccoons are omnivores, consuming a wide array of both plant and animal matter, which allows them to succeed in varied habitats. In the wild, their diet includes protein sources like insects, earthworms, crayfish, and bird eggs during warmer months. They also forage for soft plant foods, including nuts, grains, and various berries.
This foraging behavior translates to urban settings, where they are opportunistic feeders. They are attracted to accessible, high-calorie sources such as unsecured trash cans, outdoor pet food, and bird feeders. Their acute sense of touch, aided by sensitive front paws, allows them to skillfully locate and manipulate food items while they are most active at night.
Marigolds: Palatability and Purpose
Raccoons generally avoid eating marigolds (\(Tagetes\) species) due to the plant’s natural chemical defenses. The foliage and flowers contain volatile organic compounds, such as terpenes and thiophenes, which produce a strong, pungent aroma. This intense scent acts as a sensory deterrent, interfering with the raccoon’s foraging behavior.
The compounds within the plant also impart a bitter taste, making marigolds unpalatable. This chemical defense mechanism is why marigolds are historically used as companion plants to repel pests. While a raccoon may occasionally uproot a marigold while searching for grubs, the plant itself is not a preferred food source.
Common Garden Targets
When raccoons cause garden damage, they are usually pursuing highly desirable items, not consuming strong-flavored plants. A common sign of raccoon activity is damage done while hunting for protein, especially digging up turf and soil beds. They use their dexterous paws to flip over sod or dig shallow holes in search of insect larvae, such as beetle grubs and earthworms.
Raccoons also prefer cultivated crops that are soft and sweet. They are notorious for raiding vegetable patches for items like sweet corn, often stripping kernels directly from the cob. Soft fruits and vegetables, including melons, grapes, berries, and ripe peaches, are frequently targeted because they provide high-sugar energy sources.
Non-Harmful Deterrence Strategies
Effective, non-harmful deterrence focuses on making the property less appealing by eliminating attractants and establishing barriers. The most important step is removing all readily available food sources. This includes securing trash cans with locking lids or bungee cords and bringing pet food inside before dusk. Cleaning up fallen fruit and securing compost bins also limits the food reward for foraging raccoons.
Physical exclusion is often the most reliable long-term solution, such as installing a temporary low-voltage electric fence around vulnerable areas. Sensory deterrents can also be employed to startle the nocturnal animals. Motion-activated sprinklers are effective because raccoons dislike being sprayed with a sudden burst of water. Strong-smelling, non-toxic substances like capsaicin sprays or granular repellents can be applied to perimeter areas to discourage entry.