How do I keep raccoons away from my feeder?

Hang 'em high—Hang your bird feeders on poles a half inch or less in diameter, securing the pole firmly so it cannot be knocked over. Raccoons cannot climb such a thin pole and they won't be able to tip it over to access the seed. High-wire act—Suspend your bird feeders from a wire extending between two trees.

How do I keep raccoons out of my bird feeders?

What scent 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 they hate. Hot pepper, garlic, peppermint oil, onion, and Epsom salt are a few scents used to repel raccoons.

What naturally keeps raccoons away?

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.

Does aluminum foil deter raccoons?

From string, or a clothing line strung across a fence, hang balloons, strips of cloth or aluminum foil. These will frighten the animals and encourage them to leave the area. Remove or cover all possible food sources. Seal food in tightly closed containers of glass or metal.

How Do I Keep Raccoons Away From My Bird Feeders

Does Irish Spring soap keep raccoons away?

Soap the yard

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.

Do pinwheels scare raccoons?

Another option is to install several pinwheels near their dens. These will frighten the animal and encourage them to leave the area. Place rubber snakes or 18 inch pieces of black hose near the area. They are effective because they capitalize on the raccoon/skunk fear of their natural predator.

Does white vinegar keep raccoons away?

Raccoons LOVE pet food. If you leave any pet food out, they will certainly find it and keep coming back for more. Raccoons dislike the smell of both ammonia and vinegar, so either of these ingredients can help you repel them from your property.

Does Pine Sol repel raccoons?

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.

What kind of vinegar do raccoons hate?

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!

What smells do raccoons hate or avoid?

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.

How do you get rid of raccoons fast?

Does Epsom salt keep raccoons away?

Continuing in the vein of undesirable scents, Epsom salt is another ingredient that keeps raccoons away. For the most effective protection, sprinkle Epsom salt both inside and surrounding your vegetable garden. Racoons will generally keep a safe distance from that smell, avoiding your garden and coops.

Will cayenne pepper keep raccoons away from bird feeders?

Birds can eat capsaicin all day long and feel no ill effects. So to take advantage, many bird foods add capsaicin as a powder coat, liquid coat, or as part of a suet mix to stop raccoons from eating.

What is emptying my bird feeder at night?

There are a variety of animals that will eat birdseed at night. In the USA the main culprits are rodents, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, opossum, raccoons, deer, and bears. These animals are opportunistic eaters and bird feeders are an easy food source especially when supplies are scarce.

Will human urine keep raccoons away?

Ammonia is a chemical compound naturally found in urine which raccoons find rather offensive. 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.

How do you make cayenne pepper spray?

Add 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of cayenne powder and 1 quart of water. Let steep for an hour. Strain any chunks through cheesecloth, discard chunks of onion and garlic, and add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dish soap to the liquid. Put in a sprayer and spray both the upper and lower surfaces of plants that are infested.

What home remedy kills raccoons?

Make a solution by boiling cayenne pepper (1 cup) and 4-‐5 Habanero chilies in water. Allow it to cool and spray it around the main entries or holes from where the raccoons might come inside. You can also apply a coating of the solution made of cayenne pepper and water outside the garbage can.

Will coffee grounds keep raccoons away?

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.

Do raccoons eat bird seed?

Raccoons are omnivores—mammals that eat meat and vegetation. In short, they will eat anything they can get their hands on—insects, plants and fruits. Unfortunately, they will also eat the seeds from your bird feeders.

How do you keep raccoons away from feral cat food?

Do pinwheels keep animals away?

Dogs with free run of the yard are one of the most effective wildlife deterrents. Other scare tactics include noisemakers, motion-activated sprinklers or lights, and garden spinners or pinwheels. Exclude them.

What animal will eat Irish Spring soap?

The Stricklands used Irish Spring soap as a deterrent to keep critters away but apparently possums like the flavored soap.