Raccoons, while undeniably cute, can become significant nuisances around your home. Their nocturnal habits, coupled with their penchant for raiding garbage cans and getting into attics, can quickly turn a charming encounter into a frustrating problem. If you're dealing with a raccoon infestation, trapping might be your best solution. But how do you do it effectively and humanely? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process.
Understanding Raccoon Behavior: The Key to Successful Trapping
Before you even think about setting a trap, understanding raccoon behavior is crucial. Raccoons are intelligent, resourceful creatures with a strong sense of smell. This knowledge informs your trapping strategy:
Their Habits:
- Nocturnal Activity: Raccoons are primarily active at night. This means setting your traps in the evening and checking them in the morning is the most effective approach.
- Food Preferences: They are omnivores with a varied diet. Sweet things, oily foods, and pet food are particular favorites. Using these as bait is often very successful.
- Curiosity: Their natural curiosity can be used to your advantage. A strategically placed trap, baited with something irresistible, will often entice a raccoon to investigate.
- Fear of Confinement: Raccoons are wary of enclosed spaces. The type of trap you choose significantly impacts your success rate.
Choosing the Right Trap: Live Traps are Essential
When dealing with raccoons, live traps are the only humane and responsible option. Killing a raccoon is generally illegal and ethically problematic. Live traps allow you to capture the animal safely and relocate it to a more suitable habitat, far from your property.
Types of Live Traps:
- One-door traps: These are the most common type and are relatively straightforward to use.
- Two-door traps: Offering a slightly more secure option, these are less likely to be tampered with by the raccoon.
- Cage traps: Larger than the other options, these are a good choice if you're dealing with a larger raccoon or a family.
Important Considerations:
- Trap Size: Ensure the trap is appropriately sized for a raccoon. Too small, and the animal might be injured trying to escape. Too large, and it might be able to reach the bait without triggering the trap.
- Trap Placement: Position the trap in areas where you've observed raccoon activity – near garbage cans, pet food bowls, or entry points to your home.
- Securing the Trap: Secure the trap firmly to prevent it from being moved or tipped over.
Setting the Trap: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Choose your location: Select a spot with clear evidence of raccoon activity.
- Prepare the bait: Use enticing food like marshmallows, pet food, or even slightly sweet bread. Avoid using strong-smelling baits, which can be counterproductive.
- Set the trap: Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions for setting up the trap.
- Bait the trap: Place the bait strategically inside the trap, ensuring the raccoon must trigger the mechanism to reach it.
- Camouflage the trap: Use natural materials like leaves and twigs to conceal the trap. This helps to reduce the raccoon’s suspicion.
- Check the trap regularly: Check the trap every morning. If a raccoon is caught, follow the steps below.
What to Do After Capturing a Raccoon
Once you've captured a raccoon, act swiftly and responsibly:
- Contact Animal Control: Many areas have animal control services that can handle the relocation of trapped animals. Contact them immediately for guidance on proper removal.
- Don't handle the raccoon directly: Raccoons can carry diseases, so avoid direct contact. Use gloves and appropriate tools when handling the trap.
- Relocation: Animal control will typically transport the raccoon to a suitable release location far from residential areas.
Preventing Future Raccoon Problems
Trapping a raccoon is a short-term solution. To prevent future problems, consider these preventative measures:
- Secure your garbage: Use securely fastened garbage cans or storage containers.
- Eliminate food sources: Clean up spilled pet food and remove any potential food attractants.
- Repair entry points: Seal any holes or gaps in your home's structure that could provide access for raccoons.
By following these steps, you can effectively trap a raccoon while ensuring both your safety and the humane treatment of the animal. Remember, prevention is key to avoiding future infestations.
