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what smell will keep raccoons away

by Benny Greenfelder Published 4 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Since raccoons have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find convenient food sources, one can take advantage of this feature by using scents they hate. Hot pepper, garlic, peppermint oil, onion, and Epsom salt are a few scents used to repel raccoons.Feb 1, 2021

What do raccoons hate the smell of?

Raccoons enjoy the dark, so a strategically placed flashlight can be a deterrent. Because they're also put off by strange noises, playing a small radio may help keep them at bay. Finally, raccoons hate the smell of ammonia, so leave a saucer full of the stuff (or an ammonia-dipped rag) near the creatures' entry point.

What is the best repellent for raccoons?

Top 15 Raccoon Repellents

  • #1 Rodent Sheriff Pest Control
  • #7 All Natural Rodent Defense Spray
  • #13 Wildlife 523 Coyote Urine, 4-Ounce
  • #15 HARRIS Mouse Repellent Gel

What do raccoons hate the most?

Raccoons hate the smell of wolves, bobcats, coyotes, bear mace, and mountain lion urine in different regions. The more familiar a predator is with your community, the more effective a deterrent it will be.

How to deter raccoons from your yard {14 easy ways}?

Seal Off Your Home and Yard

  • Seal holes. Raccoons have a great sense of smell that they use to find food, and they won’t hesitate to venture inside your home if they can smell and easily ...
  • Use a perimeter fence. Raccoons are natural climbers that often venture onto trees and other tall places. ...
  • Use barrier screens. ...

What is a natural deterrent to raccoons?

Scatter or spray pepper Spices like cinnamon, black pepper or cayenne pepper bother a raccoon's sense of smell, forcing it to relocate to a more livable area. By mixing cayenne pepper and onion in boiling water, you can create a natural raccoon repellant. You can add hot sauce to the mixture, as well.Sep 9, 2019

What smell drives raccoons away?

Raccoons have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. You can take advantage of this trait by using scents they dislike, such as hot pepper, onion, garlic, peppermint oil and Epsom salt to repel them.

Does Irish Spring soap keep raccoons away?

Raccoons use their superb sense of smell to forage for food, and some scents are really effective at keeping them away. The ingredients in Irish Spring soap are generally effective in keeping raccoons and other small mammals out of your yard.

Does the smell of vinegar repel raccoons?

Raccoons hate the smell of apple cider vinegar (and so do some humans!). Soak a cloth in apple cider vinegar and place it in an aerated container near the den. The smell will deter them! Install a “scare light.” Having motion sensor lights that automatically turn on will scare away wandering raccoons.Sep 29, 2016

How do you make peppermint spray for raccoons?

Sprays: Add 2 ounces peppermint essential oil and 2 ounces rubbing alcohol to a spray bottle, then fill the rest of the bottle with water, and spray around the den, except the point of entry. Repellents: The company was concerned that pouring boar raccoon urine around the den might draw other male raccoons to the area.Aug 14, 2013

Do racoons like vinegar?

Scents to Keep Them Away Raccoons dislike the smell of both ammonia and vinegar, so either of these ingredients can help you repel them from your property.Feb 15, 2022

What do raccoons hate the most?

Since raccoons have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find convenient food sources, one can take advantage of this feature by using scents they hate. Hot pepper, garlic, peppermint oil, onion, and Epsom salt are a few scents used to repel raccoons.Feb 1, 2021

Will lemon scented ammonia keep raccoons away?

If you have placed ammonia inside your garage or shed, raccoons may inhabit areas farthest away from the smell. In general, this repellent method may only keep raccoons away for a short period, if at all, until they become accustomed to the smell and/or the smell fades.

Do coffee grounds repel raccoons?

The strong scent of the coffee grounds is an effective repellent for raccoons. While you may enjoy the smell and taste of coffee, raccoons do not. Raccoons are deterred from coffee grounds the same way that deer are.

Does Pine Sol repel raccoons?

Keep Pests Away Do you have a raccoon problem? Try mixing a 50-50 solution of full strength Pine Sol and warm water, and spraying your garbage cans with it. The pine smell is repulsive to most animals.Nov 4, 2021

Will bleach keep raccoons away?

You're done! Raccoons should be repelled by the bleach and leave your garbage alone.Nov 19, 2020

Does human urine keep raccoons away?

Wolf, coyote and mountain lion urine is sold as a raccoon deterrent. The ammonia present in human urine can also be used, although it is unclear whether it is effective at keeping raccoons away for long. Identify where the raccoon problem is — usually around your garbage cans where they can find food.Aug 11, 2017

What are raccoons afraid of?

Raccoons have a strong sense of smellsense of smellAn olfactometer is an instrument used to detect and measure odor dilution. Olfactometers are use...

Will vinegar keep raccoons away?

Here are some tips on raccoon control to prevent them from identifying your home as a place to nest or frequently visit. Raccoons hate the smell of...

What do raccoons hate the most?

t- Hot Pepper Keeps Raccoons at bay- Hot pepper is one of the most potent scents that can eradicate raccoons because it irritates their sense of sm...

Do raccoons hate the smell of ammonia?

Ammonia is another thing raccoons hate the smell of, so you can deter raccoons by placing it around your property. You can soak rags in ammonia and...

What smells do raccoons hate or avoid?

Since raccoons have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find convenient food sources, one can take advantage of this feature by using scents...

What will keep raccoons away?

t- Secure trash cans. ... t- Remove possible food sources. ... t- Protect your fruits and veggies. ... t- Block access to hiding places. ... t- Eli...

What is the best raccoon deterrent?

As a general rule, the best raccoon repellents irritate the senses of a raccoon to keep them away. Peppermint essential oil, bright lights, coffee...

What home remedy keeps raccoons away?

Raccoons dislike the smell of vinegar, and it is a scent that can help you keep them at bay. Pour some vinegar into your garbage bin or on a cloth...

What smell will keep raccoons away?

Since raccoons have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find convenient food sources, one can take advantage of this feature by using scents...

What odor keeps raccoons away?

Since raccoons have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find convenient food sources, one can take advantage of this feature by using scents...

How To Keep Raccoons Away?

Although raccoons live in the forest, they have adapted well to urban living. Part of the reason is that we have taken over their habitat with homes and office space.

What Do Raccoons Hate?

If raccoons are already on your property, one way to repel them is to scare them away. However, as they grow more accustomed to human activity, this option gets more challenging. Still, some scare tactics can be very effective.

What Smells Do Raccoons Hate?

The internet is full of articles about scents raccoons hate. Many of those sites are trying to sell you a repellent, and while that is an option that we will discuss later, there are plenty of homemade and naturally occurring scents to try first.

Summary

While many natural deterrents and products are available to help rid your property of raccoons, the best deterrent is prevention.

What Strong Scents Keep Raccoons Away?

Whenever you are thinking about using something as a deterrent – you have to think holistically. Yes, you need the actual deterrent – but you also need to remove the attractant and put the deterrent in the right place at the right time.

What Else Could Scare Raccoons?

Going bigger could involve different contraptions for sure. Things that when triggered by tiny raccoon feet make a loud noise, or caused something to move, could well have a deterrent effect on that one raccoon.

Can Bear Urine Scare Raccoons?

Something even bigger might be needed – even if that bigger thing is nowhere near your yard.

Can Raccoons Climb Fences?

Unfortunately, raccoons are very good at scaling fences or finding a way through a fence. Unless it is a sheer smooth surface, very high without any tree cover – or has weak gates – a raccoon could get in. But as before – only if there is a reason to get in. Hungry raccoons can be very determined if they can smell food.

1.Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a natural repellent for many types of pests, including raccoons, because it contains a substance called Capsaicin that gives the pepper its hot flavor.

2.Black Pepper

Black pepper works as a great raccoon repellent for fruits in an orchard, garden, or yard because raccoons detest the spicy smell of the pepper.

3.Onion and Pepper

A combination of onion and pepper releases an unappetizing, pungent smell that will deter raccoons but will also irritate them if they get too close.

4.Vinegar

Raccoons absolutely hate the smell of vinegar. The caustic, acidic smell overwhelms their senses and makes it hard for them to sense their surroundings.

5.Ammonia

The colorless gas ammonia works as a great raccoon repellent. When you smell ammonia, it’s pungent odor immediately takes away your breath, and it does the same to raccoons.

6.Garlic

Raccoons are extremely irritated by garlic because its strong smell disrupts their ability to detect food’s smell, and its taste lingers on their tastebuds and leaves them desensitized.

7.Peppermint Oil

Peppermint essential oil works great as a raccoon deterrent to get rid of raccoons because raccoons hate the permeating and cool, burning smell of peppermint.

What deterrents raccoons from smelling?

Predator Urine in the Property Scares Raccoons Off. Aside from scents that irritate them, another deterrent that you can use against raccoons is predator urine. Instead of targeting their olfactory receptors, this scent tricks them into thinking that your house is already a territory of another predator.

What is the best scent to use to keep raccoons out of your house?

Here are some of the most potent scents that you can use as a deterrent for these critters: Hot pepper to irritate their olfactory receptors.

Why are raccoons in my attic?

A raccoon habitat inside your house can only worsen the issues that you face because there’s very little resistance between them and their food source. Raccoons going after pets such as birds, fish, and chickens.

What do racoons smell?

You can take advantage of this trait by using scents they dislike, such as hot pepper, onion, garlic, peppermint oil and Epsom salt to repel them.

How do raccoons find food?

When raccoons are out, looking for food, their most effective way to find a food source is through their olfactory receptors (responsible for picking up scent.) Hot pepper is one of the most potent scents that you can use to drive them away because it irritates their sense of smell.

How often should I spray raccoon spray?

The scent diminishes over time, so if you want to keep raccoons out of your property for good, you need to use this combination at least twice a week. You may also need to spray it in places that they use as their habitat to teach them that getting inside your property will only get their olfactory receptors irritated.

How to keep raccoons out of my house?

Spray a Combination of Onion and Pepper. Hot pepper works effectively against raccoons, but sometimes, temporary irritation isn’t enough to keep them out of your property. So you may want to try a combination of onion and pepper of an equal mixture boiled in water.

Using Raccoon Raccoon Repellents

Without further ado, let’s dive into the BEST raccoon repellents, and how to use them to your advantage.

Peppermint Essential Oil Repels Raccoons

Do you like the smell of natural oils? Maybe you even have an essential oil diffuser in your house. After all, natural oils usually have a pleasant scent and some even have health benefits.

Shine Bright Lights to Keep Raccoons Away

Have you ever been caught in the glare of bright lights and felt incredibly startled? Well, raccoons feel similarly whenever they find themselves in the same situation.

Coffee Grounds Smell Bad To Raccoons!

There is a good chance you or someone you love drinks a hot cup of coffee in the morning. Well, after making that cup of coffee, take a couple of handfuls of the coffee grounds and sprinkle it outside.

Deter Raccoons With Chili and Cayenne Pepper

Whether you like cooking or not, you will surely have some spices in your kitchen pantry at home. If not, spices are easy to locate in local grocery stores or online shopping. Luckily for you, a couple of common spices are absolutely detested by raccoons.

Epsom Salt In Your Yard Repels Raccoons

Epsom salt is awesome. If you’ve ever used it for a night of relaxation, then you know just why. But it’s also even more awesome because it repels raccoons!

Predator Urine Scares Raccoons Away

Generally, raccoons’ predators are animals like coyotes, foxes, and even large owls. It’s not really possible to grab one of these predators and make them wait for the raccoon to scare it away.

How to protect your house from raccoons?

Seal up any holes you find around the siding, foundation or roof of your house. Any hole that’s three inches wide or larger can be scratched open by a raccoon, creating an optimal entrance for them. You can easily cover these holes yourself with wood, caulk, expandable foam, or concrete. Use a perimeter fence.

How to tell if a raccoon is visiting your home?

To determine whether a raccoon is visiting your home, check for tracks. Their distinctive paw prints carry a distinctive shape that sets them apart from other small mammals. The hind print usually measures 3 ¼” – 4 ½” long, making it much longer than wide. The fore print is only about 3” long, with a similar width.

What is the egg that raccoons carry?

While rare, raccoon droppings may contain a roundword egg called Baylisacaris procyonis that can transfer a dangerous illness to human children. If a child makes contact with raccoon feces that carry the egg, the roundword’s larvae may reach the child’s eyes or brain and result in blindness or even death.

Why are trash cans a target for raccoons?

Whether in an urban or suburban lot, trash cans are inviting targets for raccoons because of discarded food and the scent wafting from the garbage. Pet food left in dishes outside is also a tempting snack. Away from urban areas, the diet becomes more natural.

How to catch a raccoon in the morning?

You can try any type of pet food, fruits, or nut butter. Set the trap according to its instructions and leave it out at night. Make sure you’re checking the trap every morning to see if you’ve caught a raccoon.

What do raccoons eat?

A raccoon will take its plant meals from acorns, grains, wild berries, and fruits. To satisfy its animal hunger, the raccoon eats frogs, squirrels, mice, beetles, crawfish, and poultry eggs. Shelter: Home is everywhere for raccoons. They are a common sight near farms and woodlands because of abundant trees.

How far away should a raccoon be from a house?

A good rule of thumb is to leave the raccoon at least 10 miles away from residential property, such as a forest or other wooded area. Amagabeli Humane Live Animal Trap 31"X10.5"X11.5" Catch Release Cage for Nuisance Rodents Control...

How to keep raccoons away from my house?

Hot Pepper Repellent. Raccoons have a very good sense of smell, and they do not like the smell of pepper. You can make a liquid pepper repellent that may keep raccoons away from your home and garden. To make the pepper repellent, get a bottle of hot sauce or a jar or can of cayenne pepper.

How to keep raccoons out of garbage?

Spray the onion and pepper repellent along the perimeters of your yard and around your garden. Spray it around your trashcans as well to keep raccoons from getting into your garbage. Since the smell will fade after a few days, you will need to spray the mixture twice a week. Ammonia.

How to get rid of raccoons in my yard?

Fill a spray bottle with the solution and keep the rest in the refrigerator. Spray the pepper repellent around your plants if you have a raccoon trying to get your plants and vegetables, or spray it around the perimeters of your yard and next to trashcans.

Why are raccoons drawn to humans?

Raccoon Repellent: Natural Home Recipes - Raccoons are drawn to areas populated by humans because of the abundant food supply. People leave out food for pets, and it is easy for a raccoon to eat the food instead. They are also quite adept at getting into garbage cans and making a meal of the food scraps inside.

What happens if a raccoon leaves its territory?

If a raccoon leaves its territory, this is a death sentence , and the animal knows it. It will tolerate any possible repellent or deterrent device, from high pitch sound machines, or any kind of noise like a loud radio, strobing or flashing light, or any unpleasant scent. Raccoon repellents just don't work.

What are the problems with raccoons?

Thus, they cause some of the following problems: Breaking into an attic, and setting up a nest. Crawling into a chimney and living there. Concern over fearless raccoon, or attack on pets. Concern about a sick or rabid raccoon on property.

Can raccoons leave an area?

I will discuss some possible repellents below. But I believe you'll be disappointed. A raccoon won't leave an area just because of some scent. In fact, the repellents you can buy from Home Depot and Lowe's and online are usually just mothballs, which cost pennies to make, and poison the environment.

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