Raccoons and possums are common nocturnal visitors to urban and suburban properties, driven by a search for food and shelter. These highly opportunistic foragers thrive in human environments due to the dense resources available. Understanding that their presence is a direct response to available resources is the first step in successful deterrence. This article focuses on practical, non-lethal strategies to make a property unattractive and inaccessible to these animals.
Eliminating Primary Attractants
The most effective initial step in managing these animals is removing the items that draw them to your property, primarily food and water sources. Securing garbage is paramount, as raccoons and possums are notorious for raiding trash bins. Use heavy-duty cans with locking lids, or secure standard lids tightly with bungee cords or ratchet straps to prevent the animals from lifting the top.
If possible, store garbage bins inside a garage or locked shed until the morning of collection to eliminate nighttime access. Odor control is also important, as their keen sense of smell guides them to food. Double-bagging smelly waste and rinsing recyclable containers before disposal can significantly reduce attractant scents.
Pet food left outside, especially overnight, is a major attractant for both species. Pet bowls should be brought indoors immediately after a meal. Any outdoor water sources like bird baths or leaky spigots should be eliminated or repaired, as they provide hydration. If you have fruit trees, promptly pick up fallen fruit, which serves as an easy meal.
Physical Exclusion and Structural Barriers
Once attractants are removed, physical barriers provide the most reliable long-term solution by blocking access to potential den sites. Raccoons often seek shelter in attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces, while possums frequently den under porches and sheds. Inspect your home’s exterior for any gaps or openings larger than four inches, sealing foundation gaps and ensuring vents are secured with heavy-gauge wire mesh.
Chimney caps are necessary, as uncapped chimneys offer a protected den site for raccoons. To prevent digging animals from getting under structures like decks or sheds, an L-footer barrier is effective. This involves digging a trench around the perimeter, at least 12 to 18 inches deep, and attaching hardware cloth or wire mesh to the base of the structure.
The mesh is then bent at a 90-degree angle, extending outward for 12 to 24 inches, creating a horizontal underground barrier. When an animal attempts to dig down, they immediately hit the horizontal mesh, which deters them. For raccoons, a heavy-duty mesh with a half-inch opening is recommended for full exclusion.
Non-Lethal Sensory Deterrence
Sensory deterrents work by making the animals’ environment uncomfortable, supplementing physical exclusion. Since raccoons and possums are nocturnal, they dislike sudden light and movement. Motion-activated sprinklers are effective because the sudden burst of water, movement, and noise startles the animals, conditioning them to avoid the area.
Motion-sensor lights, especially bright floodlights, can discourage nocturnal foraging. The effectiveness of chemical repellents, which rely on scent and taste, is variable and often temporary. These products include capsaicin-based sprays or granules that cause mild irritation, or commercial predator urine scents.
Repellents must be reapplied frequently, especially after rain, and animals may become accustomed to them. Placing a radio tuned to a talk-radio station near a suspected den site can create an annoying disturbance that encourages relocation. These sensory methods are best used to protect specific, small areas like a vegetable garden or a fish pond.
Safe and Legal Management of Active Nuisances
If an animal is actively denning inside a structure, safety and legal compliance are the first considerations. Raccoons are primary carriers of the rabies virus in North America, and all wild animals can carry parasites, such as raccoon roundworm, posing a health risk to people and pets. Never attempt to handle or directly confront wildlife, especially if they appear sick or are out during the day.
Trapping is an option, but laws regarding the relocation of trapped wildlife vary significantly by state and municipality. In many areas, relocating a trapped animal is illegal due to the risk of spreading disease or transferring the problem elsewhere. You must consult local wildlife control authorities or state regulations before setting any traps.
If an animal is established inside your home, the safest course of action is to contact a professional, licensed wildlife control operator. These professionals are trained to handle animals humanely, understand local laws, and ensure that young animals are not separated from their mothers before exclusion. Attempting to seal an entry point without confirming all animals have left can result in the animal dying inside the structure, leading to odor problems.