Raccoons certainly don’t mean to, but they can be quite a nuisance to our yards and properties. There are several things you can do on your own as a homeowner to keep raccoons off your property, such as taking the garbage out on the morning of trash-pickup day, removing outdoor pet food and pet dishes, and installing wire fencing and mesh flap-tops around your vegetable gardens.
But when these don’t work, you might want to try a more invasive solution, but of course, one that is safe and nonlethal to raccoons. One example is to use a raccoon repellent. But instead of buying one in stores, consider making your own! Continue reading to learn how to make a homemade raccoon repellent, and how to apply it to your property.
Spices
There are many spices and seasonings that wild raccoons do not like. In fact, they hate them so much they will stay far away from any signs of these flavorings we so fondly use. Such spices include cinnamon, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, black pepper, and any other spices that are very strong and will irritate a raccoons senses (vision, sinuses, smell, etc.). Use just one, or mixed together a combination of these spices, and sprinkle them around the perimeter of your yard. Also, sprinkle the mix in areas where you have spotted raccoons. Be sure your cats and dogs do not have access to these areas because the spices will irritate their senses as well.
Ammonia
If you have ammonia in your house, you can use it to repel raccoons. You can place a bowl of ammonia inside your fireplace if you want to keep raccoons out of your chimney. As soon as raccoons have left your chimney, be sure to place a cap on it. You can also soak knotted rags in ammonia and then leave these knotted rags soaked with ammonia in areas where you know raccoon activity takes place. Bandannas seem to work well for this because they are easier to tie into knots. Again, make sure dogs and cats do not have access to these ammonia-soaked rags.
Hot Peppers
If you get yourself a clean plastic spray bottle and a variety of hot peppers, you can make yourself a liquid raccoon repellent to spray around your yard by simply boiling peppers in hot water and transferring the solution to your spray bottle. Be sure to wear safety goggles and rubber gloves to protect yourself from pepper burns, and be sure pets do not have access to the areas you spray this hot solution.