How To Get Rid of Raccoons Under Shed

Raccoons invading a homeowner’s property is not rare, especially when they become attracted to the plants in your garden. But when you start noticing a hole under your home’s shed or deck, it’s a common sign that the raccoon invasion has worsened.

Seeing raccoons under your shed is a good sign that they have started to nest and mate to create a family. Often, the mother raccoon is responsible for going out to look for food while her young are left under the shed waiting to be fed.

This guide explores the best ways to get rid of raccoons under a shed and helpful signs that tell you a raccoon invasion is currently happening at home.

Signs of a Raccoon Invasion

Raccoons know how to hide, too, especially when they detect human motions. We’ve covered you if you have been looking for signs to confirm a raccoon invasion. Experiencing a strong scent of urine or feces is one of the most obvious signs of raccoons on your property.

These creatures are also prone to damage the outside of your home, causing the following:

• vents
• shutters
• scratches
• shingles

These damages can also increase the likelihood of other pests like termites invading your yard. Raccoons can also cause loud strange noises in your attic, walls, and crawl spaces at night. And they can also make small and hand-shaped tracks, so be mindful of your pathways.

Signs of a raccoon invasion also include seeing trash scattered across your garden or noticing that your crops or bird nests are infested. Raccoons can also disturb chickens by damaging your poultry farm.

Helpful Tips To Scare Raccoons Away From Your Shed

Before calling for professional help, there are practical measures you can try to discourage raccoons and annoy them. Through these solutions, these creatures will feel more uncomfortable living under your shed, causing them to escape and look for other potential thriving spots.

Keeping the Lights On

Like most pests, raccoons are also nocturnal animals. They prefer thriving during nighttime to look for food, forage and wander around. Evenings also make them feel safer and more comfortable because the darkness helps them hide from predators faster.

You can use this to your advantage. Use a bright light bulb and shine it under your shed, right where the raccoons are potentially thriving. When the raccoons see the light, they will think of it as dangerous and immediately escape.

Raccoons don’t technically hate the light; they see it as a threat they must learn to run away from. But even though you’re using the light to get rid of raccoons, it’s still essential you use safe and fire-safe products. We recommend shining the light by the shed’s entrance for maximum efficiency.

Scaring Them Using Loud Noises

Aside from using lights, you can also take advantage of the raccoons’ sensitive sense of hearing. This is especially effective when a mother raccoon is set to give birth. When she hears loud noises, it makes her feel disoriented and will cause her to move to another breeding ground.

By loud noises, we don’t mean turning on your speaker and shuffling Today’s Top Hits from Spotify. Raccoons are not afraid of beats and music.

What they are afraid of are human voices. You can try recording yourself and playing it on repeat near the shed. This can scare the raccoons away.

You can also use the radio and switch it to the talk station. Make sure to use the loudest volume possible to ensure the raccoons can hear the voices.

Releasing Unpleasant Odors

Raccoons also have a sensitive sense of smell. If you don’t want to bother your neighbors with loud noises, releasing unpleasant odors is also effective.

You can discourage raccoons from living under the shed by soaking a fabric cloth with ammonia around the shed’s entrance. Soaking several cotton balls is possible; you can scatter them around the entrance and your garden.

But if you want to guarantee effectiveness, you can try mixing ammonia with apple cider vinegar. The scent becomes even more intense and pungent, which will immediately encourage the raccoons to head out and look for a new place to live. But if you have pets at home, we suggest using apple cider vinegar instead because ammonia harms their respiratory systems.

Removing Potential Water and Food Sources

Regarding food, raccoons are one of the most opportunistic animals. Looking for food and water is usually their top priority and the reason why they invade anyone’s home. And because they will eat anything (even trash or dust), it’s easy for them to hide under your shed and scout for whatever they can shove their mouths to survive.

What you can do is make your house less attractive to unwelcomed raccoons. Don’t give them what they need by removing all potential food and water sources. Get rid of standing water like puddles, ponds, and barrels.

These are potential spaces for tiny pests which can attract raccoons. If you have pets, always make sure there are no food or water leftovers inside the pet food bowl when you’re leaving it outside.

The bowls should always be empty to prevent raccoons from contaminating these materials for your pets. Bird feeders should also be placed inside at night. Don’t forget your garbage too.

Remember that scattered trash is a common sign of a raccoon invasion. Always empty your garbage bins regularly and keep the trash bags tightly sealed. Don’t encourage the raccoons to look through your trash for potential food.

Getting Rid of Raccoons

Raccoons should never feel they’re welcome to join your family at home. They are opportunistic eaters who can eat anything they wish, which can lead to serious health issues and property damage. With this, you should ensure they don’t start their own families under your shed.

The next time you observe a raccoon invasion under the deck, be calm and check out the hacks we suggested. Use their sensitive senses of smell and hearing to your advantage, and deter them by using loud noises or strong odors. You should also remove all potential sources of food or water that can encourage them to continue living under your space.