11 Smart & Simple DIY Raccoon Repellent Solutions (2024)

Raccoons are clever and resilient creatures, especially in urban environments.

To create an effective and natural raccoon repellent:

• Mix a small bottle of hot sauce with mild dishwashing soap to create a sticky spray that adheres to surfaces.
• Boil chopped jalapeño, cayenne pepper, and onion, then strain and use as a potent repellent spray.
• Install an electric fence to provide a barrier that deters raccoons from entering your garden or yard.
• Sprinkle cayenne pepper around your property to create a spicy perimeter that raccoons will avoid.
• Soak rags in ammonia and place them near raccoon activity to repel these critters with a strong scent.

Creating a natural raccoon repellent is a straightforward process. First, you would gather your chosen spicy ingredients, such as hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or chopped jalapeños, along with dish soap or ammonia, depending on the recipe. Next, mix your ingredients according to the chosen recipe. Apply the mixture to areas where raccoons frequent, such as around trash cans, gardens, or entry points to your home.

For the electric fence, installation might require professional assistance or carefully following manufacturer instructions. Remember that frequent reapplication of the natural repellent is necessary to maintain its effectiveness, especially after rain or every few days. This natural and budget-friendly approach offers a quick and easy solution to deter raccoons without resorting to harmful chemicals.

Raccoons live and thrive in urban and suburban areas; if you’re a resident who happens to live in one of these communities, you’ve probably seen a raccoon or two going through your garbage cans. These wild animals tend to go after any food scraps or food sources they can, which makes your trash cans a suitable environment for roaming.

If you’re looking for a solution to your raccoon problem, ask yourself this: What can I stop or start doing to get rid of these small animals? Is there a pest control method I can use? Should I look into creating a natural raccoon repellent?

We think you can stop these raccoons from getting into your yard, and you should start using a homemade raccoon repellent right now. Madison Kerr, a seasoned authority on pest control, suggests, “My research shows that a mix of household items can be very effective in deterring raccoons and other pests.” To start, you’ll want to gather ingredients like hot pepper, cayenne pepper, and a bottle of hot sauce.

My Easy-to-Make Raccoon Repellents

Find the best solution to implement raccoon control in your backyard and your trash cans. We have all the research you need readily available to you to make your own rabbit repellent or raccoon deterrent; pick your poison and get rid of those nuisance animals.

The advantage to these solutions is that they not only work for raccoons but are also home remedies to repel squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, and stray cats.

My Homemade Raccoon Repellent Hot Sauce Spray

If you’re looking for a simple solution to your raccoon problem, create what’s called a hot sauce spray; this recipe will work wonders but keep in mind that if it rains, you’ll have to reapply it to the vegetation to continuously keep the little animals away.

Mix the hot sauce and dishwashing soap in a large spray bottle. Spritz the DIY raccoon repellent spray onto the plants surrounding your home.

You can also spray areas like your garden, and your trash can lid. Adding dishwashing soap to the hot sauce causes it to stick to the vegetation easily.

This spray is also the best way to get rid of skunks, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, and other creatures you want to keep out of your yard.

Homemade Hot Pepper Spray to Keep Raccoons Out of My Yard

Raccoons do not like anything spicy, but you’ve probably already figured that out. While this concept may be like the last option offered, it will differ in ingredients and application.

Cook the ingredients in boiling water for approximately 20 minutes. Let the homemade pepper spray cool, and then strain it through a cheesecloth. Apply the DIY raccoon repellent spray onto any areas you suspect the raccoons may go.

This recipe will stop squirrels, raccoons, and most other wildlife from coming near your home. Keep in mind; you’ll have to reapply the spray approximately every three days.

Squirrel Deterrent Tip: I Use an Electric Fence

One of the best animal control methods to implement when keeping raccoons away is to install an electric fence around your home. Though these fences may be more on the expensive side, they’re well worth the cost if you’re aiming to protect your vegetable garden and vegetation.

Once the raccoons touch the fence, they won’t be trying to get past it to get into your trash bags and vegetable gardens anymore. If you’d like to go for the more affordable route, you can purchase a fence specifically made only to protect your garden.

Cayenne Pepper Spray Keeps My Raccoons Out

There’s a pattern going on here, and it seems to have to do with spicy ingredients. Though most of these recipes may leave a strong odor in the air, they are still well worth putting up with to see the wild animals go away.

For one of the natural ways to get rid of squirrels and other bothersome creatures, combine the ingredients and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture over vegetation, bushes, fruit trees, and other areas you are concerned about for a heavy-duty solution.

DIY Raccoon Repellent Tip: I Use Ammonia

There are several different ways ammonia can be used to rid your home of raccoon damage. You can place ammonia-soaked rags near the entrance of your raccoons’ nests or mix your own DIY squirrel deterrent with ammonia and water. Apply the spray in areas where squirrels don’t belong.

You can also spray ammonia near the areas where you’ve seen raccoons lingering. If you need more options, you can sprinkle ammonia around the inside of your trash can lids.

I Use Predator Urine to Get Rid of Raccoons

If you’ve spotted a raccoon or two around your house, head to your local sporting goods store to purchase predator urine. This method will trick the raccoons and make them think that a predator is nearby.

Often, this will scare the wild animals away. Specifically, you’ll want to look for urine from wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, or bobcats.

Simple Solution to Get Rid of Raccoons: I Use Mothballs

Raccoons cannot stand the strong odor of mothballs. If you’ve discovered that there are raccoons nesting or roaming in areas like your attic, near a tight crawl space, or around your wood piles, place a few mothballs in the area.

Remember, if the mothballs are left there for a long time, the chemicals will start to seep into the house. If you have pets or children, you’ll want to be very cautious when using this option, as they could potentially ingest the mothballs, which can create toxic reactions.

There are also some plants squirrels hate, as well as raccoons, that you can grow in the yard to deter them. Anything with an overpowering aroma can be helpful, like peppermint, basil, or marigolds.

I Trap Raccoons to Get Rid of Them

Many homeowners may fear this option, but you should still be aware that it’s possible. Purchase a live raccoon trap or create one using online tips and tricks.

Raccoons are attracted to foods such as marshmallows and tuna fish, so you’ll want to have a trail of either of these leading to the trap. After you have them caged, you’ll be able to set them free far from your home.

My Trick to Deter Raccoons the Your Chicken Coop

Raccoons love meat, which means they look at chickens as their pet food; because of this, you’ll want to secure your chicken coop. These wild animals know how to open many latches, so you’ll want to attach a padlock to windows and doors leading to your chickens. You may wish to purchase some durable wire mesh to keep the raccoons from breaking their way into the coop, too.

Build a roof for your coop so that the little animals can’t climb up the fencing to get in. If you’ve secured the coop with items like bungee cords and padlocks, the raccoons will likely give up and move onto the next household with chickens.

Scaring Them Away with My Natural Raccoon Repellent

If you have sweet corn growing in your gardens, or if you have bird seed and bird feeders you want to protect, you’ll need a way to keep the raccoons away; how about scaring them? Implement the option you find best for your yard, and you’ll be on your way to a raccoon-free home.

You can purchase a scarecrow, use motion sensor flashing lights, or get solar-powered repellents to keep them away. Be careful with this suggestion, as it may only last for the first few attempts. You may want to start planning your next move.

I Keep Trash Cans Closed and I Clean Up

One of the best ways to keep raccoons away from your yard is to clean up after yourself; don’t let any loose trash sit on your lawn. For instance, if you have a picnic in the backyard, don’t leave the blanket and basket outside, bring them back inside immediately.

Also, keep your trash cans closed and don’t let the trash overflow the can. Purchase another garbage holder if you must.

It’s time to get those raccoons away from your home! After learning how to keep raccoons away using raccoon trapping methods, flashing lights, and natural deterrents, you’re ready to say goodbye to those wild animals for months. Be sure to target all the entry points with your newly found raccoon deterrent recipes, and you should be good to go.

My Recipe for Natural Raccoon Repellent

Natural Raccoon Repellent

Yield: 66 ounces

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Raccoons will steer clear of this potent spray.

Materials

• 1/2 ounce of cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 ounces of hot sauce
• 64 ounces water

Tools

• Measuring cup
• Garden sprayer

Instructions

1. Add the liquids to the sprayer and shake well.
2. Spray areas where raccoons are a problem.

Notes

Keep pets and children away from locations where you spray this deterrent.

We hope you enjoyed reading our advice on natural raccoon repellent recipes. If you did, please share our homemade raccoon repellent tips and tricks on Facebook and Pinterest with your friends.