How to Get Rid of Racoons Under Deck

Do you have unwanted raccoons living on your property? Making these pesky animals leave your deck may require some work, but there are several things you can do to improve your chances of success. Let’s look at how to get rid of racoons under deck?

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How to Get Rid of Racoons Under Your Deck

Here’s how to get rid of racoons under deck:

Drive Raccoons Out with Lights

Racoons, by nature, are nocturnal creatures which means they wait for the darkness of night to go about their ways. They also feel safer as it’s when they are mostly undetectable.

You can use this knowledge to turn the tides against pesky raccoons that try to make your deck their new home. Bright light in any form should make them feel unsafe, and it will serve as a beacon for natural predators to come to take a look. For the best results, focus the beam where raccoons have established their den.

It’s recommended that you choose a light product that’s fire-safe, especially if you intend to leave it overnight. An outdoor spotlight or something similar can be bought at any hardware or general goods store should fit the bill nicely. The brighter and wider it is, the better for driving out racoons from your home.

Introduce Smells They Don’t Like

Raccoons have a keen sense of smell, and they will usually avoid items or areas that aren’t pleasant to their noses.

There are a lot of things that raccoons don’t like, fragrance-wise, but ammonia and apple cider vinegar seem to work very well against them.

That said, you can employ several methods of application, including soaking clean rags or cotton balls with ammonia or ACV, putting them in plastic bags with holes, and leaving them under the deck and where raccoons may have entered.

Use apple cider vinegar instead of ammonia if you have a cat or dog. Peppers such as chili can also irritate their nose, and prolonged exposure to these scents may be enough to drive them out of your deck.

You can also buy commercial products such as fox urine and similar products in a pinch.

Turn On the Radio

Give old equipment a new lease in life by using it to drive away raccoons. Rummage around the house, attic, or garage for an old and unused radio, give it fresh batteries and turn it on. Then, place it as near to the deck as possible, or rest it on the surface and crank the volume.

Tune in to a channel where people talk most of the time, such as a talk show or an AM frequency. The sound of people will alarm the raccoons living under your deck, and they might consider relocating to avoid danger.

As an alternative, you can use an old and unused smartphone with a radio app or an old iPod loaded with a talk show podcast.

Remove Debris and Possible Food Sources

Raccoons living under your deck will usually have several reasons to stay, and it’s most likely because they have a source of food or drink nearby. Once you eliminate this then the creatures are likely to vacate as well to find a better place.

You’ll definitely want to cut off these supplies by doing an inspection of your outdoor space and clearing up scraps and debris. Start by bringing your pet food or bird seeds indoors and covering up your garbage bins. Then, remove dead branches and leaves and do a general cleaning to clear up your yard or lawn.

Seal your garbage bins or cans and consider only bringing them outside when trash collectors come. If you have a pool you’ll want to cover it with a tarp or something similar as well.

Remove Possible Re-Entry Points

You can avoid facing the same raccoon problem in the future by keeping a vigilant eye out for these animals. Do regular cleaning and maintenance of your deck, porch, or yard, and don’t give raccoons a reason to stay on your property.

Furthermore, it’s recommended that you patch up entry points such as overhanging branches and holes in fences, among others. Keep the fence gate closed and secure especially come nighttime and when the raccoons are most active.