Raccoons are cute, furry creatures that often find their way into our yards and onto our decks. While they may look harmless, raccoons can cause a lot of damage to your deck, garden, and property.
They can also carry diseases that can be harmful to humans and pets. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to keep raccoons off my deck and out of your yard.
Can You Keep Raccoons Off Your Deck?
Raccoons can be adorable, with their ringed tails and black masks, but when these critters invade your deck, they can be quite annoyed.
These furry bandits can cause chaos, like knocking over plants, tearing up cushions, and leaving their droppings behind.
Not to mention, they can be quite destructive and even carry diseases that can harm your family and pets. So, how can you keep these pesky little rascals off your deck? It may seem like a daunting task, but there are a few things you can do to keep raccoons at bay.
From securing your garbage cans to using motion-activated sprinklers, there are various ways to protect your deck from these playful but troublesome animals.
Why Should You Keep Raccoons Off Your Deck?
Raccoons are cute and fluffy creatures, no doubt about it. However, they can become a real nuisance if they start visiting your deck and won’t leave. These critters are known for their mischievous and destructive behavior, and they can cause extensive damage to your outdoor living space.
From overturning potted plants to ripping apart your cushions and outdoor furniture, raccoons don’t discriminate regarding their destruction. Moreover, raccoons are notorious carriers of diseases and parasites that can pose a serious health risk to you and your loved ones. Keeping them off your deck is not only necessary to avoid damage but also to ensure your safety and peace of mind.
How to Keep Raccoons Off My Deck: Tips and Tricks
1. Make Your Deck Less Attractive to Raccoons
Raccoons are typically attracted to food and water sources. If you want to keep them off your deck, remove any food or water sources that may attract them. This includes removing bird feeders, keeping pet food indoors, and not leaving any food or snacks out on your deck.
2. Install Motion Sensor Lights
installing Motion sensor lights are a great way to keep unwanted visitors off your deck. The sudden light will startle raccoons and make them think twice about coming onto your deck. You can find motion sensor lights at your local hardware store, and they’re easy to install.
3. Use Repellents
There are plenty of natural and chemical repellents that can keep raccoons away from your deck. Some natural repellents include peppermint oil, vinegar, and ammonia. You can also purchase commercial raccoon repellents specifically designed to keep raccoons away. These repellents create an unpleasant scent or taste that will drive raccoons away.
4. Secure Your Garbage Cans
Raccoons are notorious for getting into garbage cans and making a mess. To keep them out of your yard, ensure your garbage cans are secure and tightly sealed. If you can, store your garbage cans in a garage or shed until garbage day.
This will prevent raccoons from being lured onto your deck by the smell of garbage.
5. Block Off Entry Points
Raccoons are crafty creatures and can find their way onto your deck through small openings or gaps. To prevent this, inspect your deck for any potential entry points and block them off. This could include repairing holes in screens, filling in gaps under your deck, or covering any openings with wire mesh.
6. Keep Your Yard Clean
In addition to keeping your deck clean and free of food sources, it’s also important to keep your yard clean. Raccoons are scavengers and will be drawn to any potential food sources in your yard, such as fallen fruit or unsecured compost piles. Regularly clean up your yard and remove any potential food sources to keep raccoons away.
7. Use Physical Barriers
If you’re having trouble keeping raccoons off your deck, consider using physical barriers as a last resort. This could mean installing a fence around your deck or placing wire mesh around the perimeter of your deck. These barriers will make it difficult for raccoons to access your deck and may deter them from trying altogether.
By following these tips, you can keep your deck raccoon-free and enjoy spending time outdoors without any unwanted visitors. Remember, it’s important to be proactive in preventing raccoons from coming onto your property, as they can cause damage and pose a potential health threat. So take the necessary steps to keep raccoons off your deck and enjoy a peaceful and pest-free outdoor space.
Some Considerations Things When You Need to Keep Raccoons Off Your Deck
Raccoons are cute and lovable creatures, but they can cause chaos and mess when they decide to make themselves comfortable on your deck. There are some things you should consider when thinking about how to keep them off your outdoor space. First, make sure there’s no food left out on the deck or nearby areas.
These furry creatures have a keen sense of smell and can track it down easily. Second, install motion-activated lights or sound emitters to deter them from approaching your deck. Third, seal off any openings or spots where they can sneak in or hide. Lastly, consider using non-toxic repellents that send out unpleasant scents or flavors. With these considerations in mind, you can keep raccoons from taking over your deck and enjoy your outdoor space without any unwanted visitors.
5 Benefits of Keep Raccoons Off Your Deck
1. Reduce Property Damage
One of the primary benefits of keeping raccoons off your deck is that it can help reduce property damage. Raccoons are notorious for raiding garbage cans, digging up gardens, and tearing apart decks for food. By keeping raccoons away from your deck, you can help protect your property from this type of damage.
2. Prevent Disease Transmission
Another benefit of keeping raccoons off your deck is that it can help prevent the transmission of diseases. Raccoons are known to carry a variety of diseases, including rabies and leptospirosis. By keeping these animals away from your deck, you can help reduce the risk of disease transmission from them to humans or pets.
3. Eliminate Unpleasant Odors
Raccoons are also known for leaving unpleasant odors on decks and other areas where they have been present. These odors can be difficult to eliminate, so it’s best to keep raccoons away before they cause a problem. By taking steps such as trimming trees near your deck and installing motion-activated lights or noise makers, you can help deter raccoons from entering the area and eliminate any odors they may have left behind.
4. Reduce Noise Pollution
Keeping raccoons off your deck can also help to reduce noise pollution in the area. Raccoons are nocturnal animals and will often make loud vocalizations at night while searching for food or mates, which can be disruptive for people who live nearby. Taking measures such as sealing off access points around your deck with fencing or netting can help to keep these animals out and reduce noise pollution in the area.
5. Protect Your Pets
Finally, keeping raccoons away from your deck can also help to protect your pets from potential harm or injury caused by these animals. Raccoons are known for being aggressive towards other animals when they feel threatened, so it’s important that you take steps to keep them away if you have pets living on your property. Installing a motion-activated sprinkler system or using an animal-repellent spray around the perimeter of your deck can be effective ways of deterring raccoons from entering the area and protecting your pets in the process.
Some Common Mistakes People Make When Trying to Keep Raccoons Off Your Deck
Raccoons can be pesky intruders that cause damage to your deck and cause disruptions in your peaceful evenings outdoors. However, keeping these critters off your deck requires some careful planning and a bit of patience. Some common mistakes people make when trying to keep raccoons off their deck include using ineffective repellents, leaving food outside, and forgetting to secure garbage cans. It’s important to remember that raccoons are intelligent and resourceful creatures, so it’s important to stay one step ahead of them by taking proactive measures such as sealing entry points and using sturdy fencing. By being mindful of these mistakes, you can ensure that your deck remains a raccoon-free zone for years.
Conclusion
Raccoons can be cute and entertaining to watch, but they can also be a nuisance. If you want to keep them off your deck and out of your yard, there are several steps you can take. Make your deck less attractive to raccoons by removing any food or water sources. Install motion sensor lights, use repellents, secure your garbage cans, or call in a professional if you need help. These tips and tricks will help you keep raccoons away and enjoy your deck without any unwanted visitors. Thanks for reading our post about how to keep raccoons off my deck.