How to Deter Raccoons: Safe & Effective Methods
Raccoons are among those clever little night visitors that can quickly go from adorable to troublesome. You might find your trash scattered, your garden destroyed, or even hear noises in your attic.
If you've noticed signs of raccoon activity on your property, it's time to learn how to deter raccoons in a safe, natural, and long-term way. This blog will help you understand what attracts them, how to stop them from returning, and which repellent products can be effective to keep your property raccoon-free.
What Keeps Raccoons Coming to Your Property?
Before you can stop raccoons from showing up, you need to know why they keep coming back. They’re not just being playful or curious. They’re looking for food and shelter.
Food
Raccoons are opportunistic eaters. When they cannot find natural food sources, your garbage cans, pet bowls, and gardens will become their food sources. If your trash bin contains leftover food or your compost bins are uncovered, it's like an open invitation for them to visit.
Mothers Seeking Dens
During late winter and early spring, female raccoons search for warm and safe spots to give birth and raise their young. Attics, chimneys, and sheds are among the best nesting areas for raccoons. That's why you should seal entry points to keep them out of your home.
Safety and Shelter
Raccoons also look for protection from predators and harsh weather. If your property has thick bushes, hollow trees, and open crawl spaces, they can all become temporary hideouts.
Effective DIY Strategies to Keep Raccoons Away
After you find out what’s attracting raccoons, the next step is to stop them from entering your property. These steps can make your yard a place they don’t want to visit.
● Replace fruit trees or corn with plants raccoons dislike to remove food temptations.
● Trim tree branches at least five to six feet away from your roof or fence to make it harder for raccoons to climb up.
● Keep your pet food indoors, and if you feed outside, bring the bowls in immediately after each meal.
● Cover fruit-bearing plants with fine mesh netting and secure the edges so raccoons can’t crawl under.
When you apply these steps together, learning how to deter raccoons naturally and safely can become easy for you.
What to Do When DIY Methods Fail?
Sometimes, even after doing everything right, raccoons still find a way in. That’s when using predator urine products can be helpful. It’s one of the most natural ways to trigger a fear response in raccoons. This way, raccoons are less likely to return because they sense danger and consider your property unsafe.
Once, a homeowner told us they had raccoons sneaking into their attic night after night. They tried several DIY fixes, like using ammonia-soaked rags and hanging shiny tape, but nothing lasted long. When they reached out to our team at The Pee Mart, we suggested our coyote urine spray. They stated that it was far more effective at stopping raccoons from returning.
The most effective predator urine products for raccoon control include:
1. Coyote Urine
This product comes in spray, gel, and granule forms. This way, you can pick the option that best suits your needs. You can use it for your attic, under-deck area, or even your garden. Get your hands on the Coyote urine products so that you can create a strong scent barrier that effectively keeps raccoons away.
2. Mountain Lion Urine
It’s a strong choice when you are learning ways to deter raccoons from the rooftops and wooded areas of your large property. With Mountain Lion urine, you can create a protective boundary that raccoons won’t cross.
Tips to Maintain Long-Term Effectiveness
Finding out how to deter raccoons isn’t something you do once and forget. Maintaining consistency and conducting regular inspections are necessary.
● Conduct regular inspections and reapply the product. Reapply the repellent around your home after heavy rain or wind, especially when you use urine spray or granules. That’s because they can lose their scent after even a drizzle, which can result in raccoon activity again.
● Be extra cautious during early spring and late fall when raccoon activity is at its highest.
Raccoons are smart and can get used to the same smell or setup. We recommend combining different products to make a better scent barrier.

Why You Should Avoid Using DIY Traps.
● Setting DIY traps without proper training can increase the chance of accidents. It will be risky for both you and the raccoons.
● In many states, trapping or relocating raccoons is illegal without a permit, so you can face fines or legal trouble.
● Handling a trapped raccoon can expose you to diseases that include rabies or parasites. These can harm your pets and family members.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What plants do raccoons hate the most?
Usually, Raccoons dislike strong-smelling plants, including peppermint, onions, garlic, and marigolds. You can plan these to protect your garden.
2. How do you get raccoons to leave?
3. What smell will keep a raccoon away?
Many scents naturally discourage raccoons. The most common ones include ammonia and peppermint oil. You can also use predator urine, which mimics the scent of predators and makes raccoons believe danger is nearby.
4. What is the best homemade raccoon repellent?
Try mixing water with vinegar and adding a few drops of ammonia or peppermint. Spray around attics, garden areas, and garbage cans daily.
Get Raccoon Repellent Products from The Pee Mart
Learning how to deter raccoons requires a lot of patience and consistency. By removing food sources, sealing your property, and using the right repellents, you can keep raccoons from turning your home into their playground.
At The Pee Mart, we make sure our predator urine products meet the highest quality standards so you can create a protective barrier in your space. Shop our predator urine products not just to scare raccoons away, but also to make your property safe, clean, and secure.