The Raccoons

So, I have been doing some online research and unwilling spying on this creatures habits when I'm awaken by them. Everything that I have read and seen has been right on point ... except one thing. I believe they are waiting for squirrels to come out. The two of them hunker down in the tree and just sit there until something startles them. Last night I heard what I thought was a puppy wailing for a minute. I guess momma got worried and climbed down and ran toward the sound and papa did a few seconds after.

As I watched I noticed that they ran up the sawhorses I had against the fence and jumped over on the roof of the garage next door. I said okay I'll just move those away from the fence, that's done.

I read that loud noises scare them and I was thinking of a bb gun or a slingshot but continued to think of something else and came up with balloons. With those sharp claws it's not only loud but should scare them (not really what I wanted to say ) away...but for how long? Those squirrels aren't going any where and neither is the tree.

The plan? Getting black balloons - lots of them - and place them in areas that I've seen them. Spiraling around the tree, on the fence maybe and around the carriage house.

What I don't get is that being a nocturnal animal why doesn't the floodlights keep them away?

I'll keep you posted.

 

The balloons are a great idea but once the raccoons figure out they don't harm them, you may become a haven for raccoons. The only method I have found 100% effective is an electric wire. When I had my small pond, nothing scared the raccoons so I bought a super-powered charger capable of burning weeds. I was awakened by a blood-cruddling scream and saw a huge raccoon beating tail out of my yard. I haven't seen one since.

One old man down the street stopped me on my walk to complain about his raccoon problem. I offered to loan him my charger and a few fiberglass post and wire. He declined, saying that was excessively cruel and no wonder I was single. I replied, "You don't know the half of it hahaha!"

 

Awaken again this morning (4 am) by irritating sounds by one of the raccoons. My alarm goes off at 5:30.

I read something yesterday about repelling raccoons with things like cayenne pepper spray, epsom salt, peppermint spray, and even ammonia. Of course these would need to be consistently reapplied. Most of the articles were directed to raccoons that have made it inside the home though.

You can tell by now that it has become a high priority for me to find some relief to get a good night's sleep. The sounds they make are nerve wrecking.

I have a flashlight that has a feature that is a continuous fast flashing/blinking and I used it this morning to see if it would work. I read this online too. I went outside in my PJs mind you and aimed it at the raccoon perched on a branch. It did not like it. Hmmm. It proceeded to crawl down trying to avoid my aim and eventually it exited the tree. It took about 15 to 20 minutes because I ran into a technical issue.

This is where the raccoon was perched.

 

In the past, I have gotten rid of pesky critters (i.e., squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, etc.) with Havaheart traps by delivering trapped critters to the nether lands. More recently, we've some number of coyotes running around in the woods out back that seem to make raccoons scarce. Coyotes can, of course, play havoc with small dogs and cats who're let free to roam.

 

@Ken Anderson, naughty, naughty.

 

Raccoons have been known to give local dogs, wolves and coyotes something to keep them amused, if not fed. In a related note, I read somewhere that the eastern coyote now genetically tests 60% coyote, 30% wolf and 10% dog.

 

I thought about trying a Havaheart type trap for the squirrels in town here raiding the bird feeders. They are nasty little critters with a look in their eyes like possessed by demons inside, and no redeeming features, imo. I could dump them on the property out in the country for hawk food. It's illegal here to dump them around someone else's property.

The problem with that strategy... I would have to drop everything and drive 25 miles every time one was caught. Otherwise they would hurt themselves trying to get out, and I couldn't stand watching that for very long. There are at least 5 now. And more would only come.

The surveillance camera caught a raccoon on the deck a few days ago. They are not usually a problem, just passing through to check.

 

It's a good law in theory, but practically unenforceable, imo. I would hate it if someone dumped squirrels on my property. The only person I dislike that much in real life is my neighbor out in the country. And my former boss. She doesn't live far enough away.

 

Thanks for that! I have hotwire and can get another fencer. They move in under our barnhouse and re-arrange the wood. I usually use a live trap and transport or something with a single bullet.
People who think a single shock is cruel are probably members of the "How can you butcher your animals? Why don't you buy your meat
at the grocery store where no animals are harmed?" club.

 

The last place I lived we had an apple tree and it was a squirrel magnet. It should not have bothered me, but I guess I took offense that they would bring peanuts from someone who fed them and they left the shells in my yard. I made a couple homemade traps and would relocate them, but another would take its place, when I eventually got tired of the game. Instead, I made a sport of shooting at them with a pellet gun and if I stung one they reacted. One time I got one in the eye and he jumped and ran like none did before. I know it was the eye because I saw him again with one dead eye back in the tree. They are persistent little SOB’s.

 

We have crippled deer here from cars, occasionally. They often survive but I wish I could end their suffering. Illegal except during hunting season.

 

As an FYI, we have 2 bird feeders that squirrels haven''t been able to get into in more than 10 years. Shown below, there is more info HERE if you are interested.