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Endless Raccoons?

Posted By: Urbancoon

Endless Raccoons? - 08/19/18 02:15 AM

In the city. I've been trying to deal with Raccoons continually digging up a garden & flower beds. Some have been taken care of, but they just keep coming. Four more were seen on camera after the traps were taken down.

Neighbors to the left and right both have big fruit trees--one of the neighbors has seen a group of them eating the fruit up in the tree. There is a currently a fair amount of food in the immediate area.

Yards are fenced, but one side--not the owner's fence--with a wire fence with holes big enough for a raccoon to easily crawl through.

Is there much sense to continue trapping?
Posted By: EatenByLimestone

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/19/18 12:27 PM

Obviously, raccoons are climbers, and they do it well. Fences aren't much of a deterrent to them, but it's something. I'd repair the fences. It will keep some less ambitious climbers out. Talk to the neighbor who owns the fence, they may not be against a patch being put on their fence.

What are they doing in the garden? Food? Latrine? If it's good, remove the food.
Posted By: Getting There

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/19/18 12:29 PM

Are you doing ADC work. If so let the customer decide. If you are one of the owners it is up to you.
Posted By: west river rogue

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/19/18 12:40 PM

the 2 fruit trees are draw stations....hard telling how many generations know about it. Keep hammering. Fences should be fixed. Prob is it could be awfully expensive flower bed!!! blush
Posted By: Paul Winkelmann

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/19/18 02:35 PM

Sounds like my idea of heaven!
Posted By: traprjohn

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/19/18 04:48 PM

Originally Posted By: Urbancoon


Is there much sense to continue trapping?



as long as they're paying you $50 per animal, yes!


What's wrong with repairing holes in neighbors fence?....other than they'll climb over.

Your customer should be able to talk to his neighbor to get them on board.
Posted By: BigBob

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/19/18 07:05 PM

In Mo, fences on the property line belong to both. Check into it.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/20/18 05:46 AM

The neighbor's fence is a wire fence and the spacing between the wire is huge--4 or 5 inches square. Looks like fencing material they'd use on farms and it wouldn't keep any raccoon-sized animal out. You'd have to replace the whole thing to start.

The raccoons were eating out of the garden and digging for grubs and worms in all the beds--yes, a smorgasbord!

I guess what I'm really wanting to know is, if I keep pulling them out, does it substantially reduce the problem, or do new raccoons just keep coming and replacing the ones removed? The apples on the ground are quite fragrant and I'm sure can be smelled a longs ways off.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/20/18 05:55 AM

From what I can tell, the yard is not being used as a latrine, but the raccoons were using a crook of one of the neighbor's trees for that purpose.

This is our yard, but I'm considering taking up some ADC work as a hobby. As you can likely tell, I'm new to this game and rather in awe at the experience here and, as a newbie, rather overwhelmed at how much I don't know.
Posted By: sgs

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/20/18 09:00 AM

Quote:
I guess what I'm really wanting to know is, if I keep pulling them out, does it substantially reduce the problem, or do new raccoons just keep coming and replacing the ones removed?


How many have you caught so far?

You can eventually get them all but at some point more will come. Trapping will help but as long as the fruit trees are there they will attract animals.
Posted By: Traps R Us

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/20/18 01:52 PM

I guess we always have a choice to make, as long as there is some supply of food, water, and shelter, there will be critters of some sort. Since you're probably not advocating cutting down all the trees, you will have animals around. Fencing may help some, but I honestly doubt it has much of an effect on raccoons. You can keep food sources in your own yard to a minimum to keep them from coming to your yard. But since you're in between two neighbors with fruit trees, chances are they will travel back and forth, hence coming through your yard, which in and by itself shouldn't be a problem.
Other than that, you can manage population by trapping, obviously a perfect training ground for yourself as a beginner ADC guy. Will you ever eliminate the raccoons in your neighborhood entirely? Probably not. Will there always be new raccoons moving into suitable habitat? yes!
So perfect, trap raccoons in your yard, try a few things, see what works and what doesn't. You can also wait for fall and winter and trap them for fur if you'd like. Make a few nice hats. Where's the problem?
Posted By: traprjohn

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/20/18 04:58 PM

There is an end to the coons, but will more show up eventually.

Have you considered a hot wire 4-6" off the ground?
Posted By: BigBob

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/20/18 07:26 PM

That would require putting it on the neighbors land. If you can stand the expense, string chicken wire on the fence to plug up the hog fence, and string a "Hot" wire along the top.
Posted By: Probtrapper

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/21/18 05:09 AM

First, If you're using some sort of fertilizer for your garden make sure it doesn't have a fish or fish oil base, that will drag every raccoon in the neighborhood to your place. Same thing applies if your using your own compost. Next,just a thought, how about using an e-fence just around your garden.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/21/18 05:41 AM

Originally Posted By: sgs
How many have you caught so far?


So far, 4.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/21/18 05:52 AM

Originally Posted By: BigBob
That would require putting it on the neighbors land. If you can stand the expense, string chicken wire on the fence to plug up the hog fence, and string a "Hot" wire along the top.


That's a good idea. I'm not sure whether I'm wanting to go there yet, but will definitely keep that in mind.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/21/18 06:04 AM

Originally Posted By: Probtrapper
First, If you're using some sort of fertilizer for your garden make sure it doesn't have a fish or fish oil base, that will drag every raccoon in the neighborhood to your place. Same thing applies if your using your own compost. Next,just a thought, how about using an e-fence just around your garden.


My first introduction into raccoon trapping were Sam Woods' videos, so if you've seen them, you already know what I was using as an attractant. But since I used fish oil after there were already raccoons digging around, it's possible the newer raccoons are just the opportunists looking for a different kind of meal. Not sure how long the fish oil stays fragrant, but it's been dry here for 2 months since it was last applied. Raccoons are not digging in the areas where the oil was squirted, so I'm assuming that they are smart enough to know that fish don't swim underground. Would you expect a raccoon to dig up the area where the fish oil was put down?

I'm also guessing that when trapping in the city, you keep your lures a bit more local--that if a raccoon is in the area, he'll find your food regardless and not attract a mob.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/21/18 06:11 AM

Originally Posted By: CallmeBob
Other than that, you can manage population by trapping, obviously a perfect training ground for yourself as a beginner ADC guy. Will you ever eliminate the raccoons in your neighborhood entirely? Probably not. Will there always be new raccoons moving into suitable habitat? yes!
So perfect, trap raccoons in your yard, try a few things, see what works and what doesn't. You can also wait for fall and winter and trap them for fur if you'd like. Make a few nice hats. Where's the problem?


An opportunity in every problem! To reword a popular quote: if life gives you raccoons, make hats!

(Do you think that raccoons ever think: "You know, I think Roger looks much better as a hat!")
Posted By: sgs

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/21/18 09:11 AM

In my area, 4 is the usual number for a family group. You may have a few groups visiting the fruit trees. Gives you an idea of what you're up against. For me, in the ADC business, the second most important tool after a trap is a trail cam. Nothing like actually seeing the animals you're trying to catch.

I don't know what you're doing with the animals after catching them but if you are relocating, make sure you are bringing them as many miles away as you can. Animals having an amazing ability and desire to find their way home and once they have been caught they tend to avoid traps making the job harder.
Posted By: Traps R Us

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/21/18 01:28 PM

Originally Posted By: Urbancoon
Originally Posted By: Probtrapper
First, If you're using some sort of fertilizer for your garden make sure it doesn't have a fish or fish oil base, that will drag every raccoon in the neighborhood to your place. Same thing applies if your using your own compost. Next,just a thought, how about using an e-fence just around your garden.


My first introduction into raccoon trapping were Sam Woods' videos, so if you've seen them, you already know what I was using as an attractant. But since I used fish oil after there were already raccoons digging around, it's possible the newer raccoons are just the opportunists looking for a different kind of meal. Not sure how long the fish oil stays fragrant, but it's been dry here for 2 months since it was last applied. Raccoons are not digging in the areas where the oil was squirted, so I'm assuming that they are smart enough to know that fish don't swim underground. Would you expect a raccoon to dig up the area where the fish oil was put down?

I'm also guessing that when trapping in the city, you keep your lures a bit more local--that if a raccoon is in the area, he'll find your food regardless and not attract a mob.


Wait - let me get this straight, you are actually putting lure and bait out in your own yard, and then you are complaining about the number of raccoons you're having? LOL! Are you ok Urban? Just not sure what it is you're trying to do.
Raccoons digging are usually looking for grubs, not fish.
Posted By: Traps R Us

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/21/18 01:32 PM

Originally Posted By: sgs
In my area, 4 is the usual number for a family group. You may have a few groups visiting the fruit trees. Gives you an idea of what you're up against. For me, in the ADC business, the second most important tool after a trap is a trail cam. Nothing like actually seeing the animals you're trying to catch.

I don't know what you're doing with the animals after catching them but if you are relocating, make sure you are bringing them as many miles away as you can. Animals having an amazing ability and desire to find their way home and once they have been caught they tend to avoid traps making the job harder.


Please don't relocate raccoons!
They are such a pain in the butt to catch once "educated". ADC guy speaking here.
Posted By: Hutchy

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/21/18 04:16 PM

Relocating them is fine so long as they are not breathing anymore when doing so...

I have had them return from nine miles away years ago. So, you are asking whether more will keep coming. You have caught 4. What have you got to lose if you keep trapping them?

I would put up with it for couple months more and then trap them for fur. Then catch as many as you can. If you don't care about fur, keep trapping till they are gone and you will have your answer. If coons in the yard are an absolute no no, just keep a live trap set after they are gone. You have the luxury of doing that since it is your yard.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/22/18 12:12 AM

Originally Posted By: CallmeBob
Wait - let me get this straight, you are actually putting lure and bait out in your own yard, and then you are complaining about the number of raccoons you're having? LOL! Are you ok Urban? Just not sure what it is you're trying to do.
Raccoons digging are usually looking for grubs, not fish.


Not exactly. I had the raccoons there first and then put out the traps. The lure was to draw them right to the traps.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/22/18 12:21 AM

Originally Posted By: CallmeBob
Please don't relocate raccoons!
They are such a pain in the butt to catch once "educated". ADC guy speaking here.


No, not relocating. But I understand there are some things that we can't talk about here on Trapperman....
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/22/18 12:54 AM

Originally Posted By: Hutchy
I would put up with it for couple months more and then trap them for fur. Then catch as many as you can. If you don't care about fur, keep trapping till they are gone and you will have your answer. If coons in the yard are an absolute no no, just keep a live trap set after they are gone. You have the luxury of doing that since it is your yard.


That's likely going to be the plan. Other than the continual damage to the beds/garden, I have also become a little paranoid about the place becoming a latrine as not only do I have kids, but there have been modifications to the house that makes it much more easy for them to access the roof and I don't want to deal with the problem should they decide to try to set up house in the attic. Renovations were done pre-raccoon problems--had I known, I may have done things a bit differently. I will exclude where it is makes sense, like the space under the shed, but other than that, we'll deal with it one raccoon family at a time.

And I understand rodents will eat the scat and spread the roundworm in their turds. And there are rats, because of some birders in the area with multiple feeders--(understand raccoons eat seed too, forgot to mention that).

I'm not sure what to make of all this yet--a new adventure or to be a bit ticked: The raccoons were obviously always there, but had been invisible to us until we 'improved' things. It has been an educational experience, for sure, and the raccoons brought me here which has allowed me to appreciate a whole new way of looking at things, so there is a bright side. Maybe just not if you're a raccoon....
Posted By: EatenByLimestone

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/22/18 09:54 PM

"I know that dead carp is around here somewhere. The whole garden smells like him!"
Posted By: Vinke

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/24/18 07:26 AM

Quote:

And I understand rodents will eat the scat and spread the roundworm in their turds


I have never read any information on this,,,,, Do you have a source/link for this information..... would make a good selling point for add on rodent control.........
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/25/18 05:40 PM

It wasn't said exactly, so I'm going to clarify.

If you are trapping raccoons in the wild, you need smelly stuff like fish oil to attract raccoons to your traps, but if you're in the city, you just put the trap with some desirable food in it near where they hang out and they'll find it quite easily?

And could a raccoon in a standard suburban 60 foot wide lot could find your cage from across the yard without any other attractants? (Assume cat food as bait). Not that I'd put the cage across from where I think they are, but am just wondering about how good they are at finding things....

And thanks again for all the help.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/25/18 05:57 PM

Originally Posted By: Vinke
Quote:

And I understand rodents will eat the scat and spread the roundworm in their turds


I have never read any information on this,,,,, Do you have a source/link for this information..... would make a good selling point for add on rodent control.........


I will try to remember where I read this. I said, "I understand" and not "know" because "I read it on the internet so it must be true."

I did a quick search and found this:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28732456
https://vtfishandwildlife.hosted.civicli...n-Roundworm.pdf
An excerpt from the last link:

If another animal, such as a rodent
or bird, ingests the embryonated eggs, the larvae will
wander in the animal’s body and can encyst (create and live in
a protective structure) within tissue, but will not
develop into adult worms. These animals are known as
intermediate hosts because the hosts themselves do
not develop disease, but raccoons can become infected
by ingesting animals containing encysted larvae.


So it looks like the answer is more like, rodents don't spread the eggs, but they can, if they contain the larvae, spread it to other raccoons.

These weren't the links that I had originally looked at, but will update should I come across the original info again.
Posted By: sgs

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/25/18 05:57 PM

A 60' wide yard? They will find the trap, no matter where it is, with a stinky bait.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/25/18 06:00 PM

Originally Posted By: sgs
A 60' wide yard? They will find the trap, no matter where it is, with a stinky bait.


Is cat food considered stinky?

I have to ask, because if you have teenagers, you know that stinky is not so well defined....
Posted By: Traps R Us

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/27/18 01:26 PM

yes, cat food is "stinky". I find cat food very effective to attract raccoons, it tends to be more fragrant than dog food.
Posted By: Michigan Trappin

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 08/28/18 02:31 AM

Wait till there prime, then trapp every single raccoon you can. Trapp from November 1 (or whenever they prime up) and trap until seal ends. Your not getting paid as it's your yard. So catch them when prime and learn as much as you can for future ADC work
Posted By: Short Track

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 09/10/18 02:03 AM

4 is nothing. I witnessed a family of 8 grubbing my front lawn, literally destroyed my lawn during the off season.
I took 6 of them. I still have at least 2 on my cams. 1 still makes a mess of my garbage.

This season I'll get another 2 or 3.


I have heard stories of exterminators taking 20 off 1 property.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 09/11/18 04:46 AM

I haven't seen them on camera for a while--the apples next door are mostly rotten on the ground now. But fall is coming and with less natural food available, and with more rain and the ground softening, I kind of expect them to be back digging up my yard.

I'm sure there are more than 4 out there, but we'll see!
Posted By: Short Track

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 09/23/18 10:25 PM

I had 2 coons on my camera all summer. All the sudden, out of no where. I have 6 on my cams..

This is after I took 6 off the property in the past few years.
Posted By: Getting There

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 09/24/18 12:30 PM

I kept two live trap going all spring, summer and fall. Got 22 raccoons that year. I have not read all the post. Are you going to get rid of them for good, NO! If I see any signs of a raccoon out go the traps.
Posted By: Urbancoon

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 01/27/19 12:16 AM

Thought I'd update the 'Endlessness' of it all.

From what I could tell, there were two local families and once they were taken care of, there has been almost no sign of any others. One a few weeks ago on the cam which hasn't been seen since.

I suspect, with the warm weather we've been having, they are more interested in 'looking for love' at the moment and that I'll be seeing more of them in 4-6 weeks when they start getting hungry for something else. Then later in the summer when families start coming through for something different after getting their fill from the neighbour's fruit trees..
Posted By: Short Track

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 01/30/19 02:59 AM

I took a dozen coons from the same set this season. Just kept re-making the set. There is at least 1 more on the camera's.
At this point, it's getting boring. There is no challenge to coon catching any more. Even though every one has been prime fur, there is no money in it.

I will call the season early. Move onto something else.
Posted By: TDHP

Re: Endless Raccoons? - 01/30/19 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Short Track
I took a dozen coons from the same set this season. Just kept re-making the set. There is at least 1 more on the camera's.
At this point, it's getting boring. There is no challenge to coon catching any more. Even though every one has been prime fur, there is no money in it.

I will call the season early. Move onto something else.




Between $250 to $280 at a minimum coon removal jobs...I'd say there is plenty of money in it.
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