How to protect vegetables in your garden from raccoons?

Imagine waking up to find your favorite vegetable garden in ruins. Tomato pulp is crushed, corn is stripped from the cob, and watermelon is sliced.

Raccoon, a cute animal that loves to eat fresh garden vegetables and ripe fruits. If you have a vegetable garden, chances are you will have problems with them.

But don’t despair! There are several steps you can take to protect your vegetables from these furry bandits.

In this article, we will discuss the most effective methods of natural remedies, starting with physical remedies.

So How to protect vegetables in your garden from raccoons? Read the full article to know that.

Physical Barriers:

Physical barriers are one of the most effective ways to keep raccoons out of your garden. To prevent raccoons from crawling over or digging under the garden, you should create a physical barrier around your garden that will prevent them from entering the garden.

Netting:

You can use netting to cover individual plants or entire rows of plants in the garden. Netting is especially effective at protecting particularly attractive fruits and vegetables from raccoons, such as corn, tomatoes, and watermelon.

Types of netting:

There are different types of nets available in the market, so you can choose a net that suits your needs and budget.

• Poultry Netting: Poultry netting is a lightweight, inexpensive option to deter raccoons from your garden. Its affordability makes it a popular choice for homeowners, but it requires regular maintenance to ensure its performance. As with fine mesh, it is not as durable as other options and requires frequent replacement.
• Garden Netting: Garden netting is a more expensive alternative to poultry netting, constructed from stronger materials to resist wear and tear. This increased durability makes it a more effective deterrent against raccoons, but it comes at a high cost. Although it may be a more expensive upfront investment, its longevity makes it a cost-effective solution in the long run.
• Electric nets: Electric nets offer the most effective raccoon control method, using a mild electric shock to prevent the animals from entering your garden. This shock is not harmful to animals but acts as a deterrent. But electric nets are the most expensive option and require an electrical power source to run.

Motion-activated devices:

Motion-activated devices are designed to detect movement. and emitting sound, light or water spray when motion is detected. This can startle or frighten raccoons and other animals, and keep them from entering your garden.

Types of Motion-activated devices.

You will find many types of motion-activated devices in the market. Some of them are discussed below.

• Motion-Activated Sprinklers: As a gardener, it can be frustrating to see your hard work ruined by raccoons. These animals are known to eat fruits and vegetables in gardens. There are many ways to keep raccoons out of your garden, but motion-activated sprinklers are a particularly effective and humane solution. These sprinklers detect movement by spraying water to startle raccoons and discourage them from returning.

• Motion-Activated Lights: Raccoons are nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night. Darkness especially helps them move around the garden. But there is one thing that raccoons hate and that is light. Motion-activated lights capitalize on this aversion to light, and provide an effective way to deter raccoons from your garden. One study found that motion-activated lights can significantly reduce raccoon activity in the garden. Raccoons are startled by the sudden burst of light, and they quickly avoid areas where they encounter it.
• Motion-Activated Ultrasonic Repeller: Raccoons are intelligent and adaptable creatures, often finding ways to bypass traditional pest control methods. But one thing they can’t ignore is sound waves. Motion-activated ultrasonic repellers emit ultrasonic sound waves that are unpleasant to raccoons. This inaudible noise inhibits their communication and movement, creating an uncomfortable environment that discourages them from returning to your garden.

Row covers to repel raccoons. ‌‌‌

Row covers are lightweight, porous fabrics that are used to cover rows of plants to protect them from pests, weather and disease. They are usually made of spun bonded polypropylene or polyethylene and are available in different widths to accommodate different plant sizes.

How does row cover work?

Row covers provide a physical barrier that prevents raccoons from easily reaching your vegetables. The fabric is lightweight and breathable, so sunlight and wind can easily reach the plants. Additionally, row covers help regulate soil temperature and moisture levels, which promote healthy plant growth.

Type of row cover

There are basically two main types of row covers.

• Floating Row Covers: Floating row covers are lightweight and placed directly over the plant. They are usually used to protect young plants or prevent pests from laying eggs on plants.
• Supported Row Covers: Supported row covers are set on hoops or wires that form a tunnel-like structure over the plant. This type of row cover is more durable and can be used to protect tall plants from larger pests, such as raccoons.

Keep raccoons out of the garden using natural repellants.

I have tried many commercial repellants to keep raccoons out of my garden, but I have not found them to be very effective because raccoons are intelligent creatures and they quickly learn to ignore them.

You can try commercial resistors if you want. There are several commercial resistors available in the market.

Here are three commercial repellants you can try in your garden:

• Predator urine: This is a natural product made from the urine of animals such as wolves, coyotes, and foxes. Raccoons are predators and they avoid areas that smell like predators. To use predator urine as a raccoon repellant, you can spray it around your garden or soak some rags in it and place it around your garden. However, your garden should be sprayed with urine regularly, especially after rain.
• Ammonia: Ammonia is an effective way to repel raccoons because it is a strong smelling substance that they avoid. To use ammonia as a raccoon repellant, dilute it with water and spray it around the perimeter of your garden. However, you need to reapply urine regularly, especially after rain. Raccoons commonly invade people’s homes or gardens for food and shelter. You can keep raccoons out of your garden by using ammonia. However, remember that ammonia is a workable solution, not a permanent solution

Blood meal: A natural way to repel raccoons and other pests.

Gardeners and homeowners have long sought effective and environmentally friendly ways to prevent pests without resorting to harsh chemicals. Blood meal, a natural fertilizer derived from dried animal blood, has been considered an effective option for repelling raccoons and other nuisance animals.

What is a blood meal?

Blood meal is a concentrated source of organic nitrogen, making it an excellent fertilizer for plants. However, its benefits extend beyond plant nutrition. The strong, pungent odor of blood meal is unpleasant to many animals, including raccoons, skunks, squirrels and rabbits. This smell acts as a natural deterrent, and keeps pests from entering the garden, yard and other areas.

How to use blood meals as a preventative?

Blood meals can be used in several ways to repel raccoons and other pests:

• Sprinkling: Sprinkling blood meal around your garden and yard is a simple and effective way to deter pests. Sprinkle blood meal around the base of the plant or where insects are seen. Reapply after rain or watering to maintain scent, which deters insects.
• Mixing with water: Mix blood meal with water in a spray bottle and spray the mixture on trees, fences and other surfaces. For best results, mix two cups of blood meal with one gallon of water. Shake the mixture well before each use. Reapply the mixture after rain or watering, as the smell of blood meal fades over time. To help the mixture stick to the surface, add a few drops of liquid dish soap.
• Filling pouches: Fill small cloth bags or pouches, such as muslin or burlap, with blood meal and hang them around your garden or yard. The bag will emit odors and repel insects. You can hang the pouches from trees, fences, or even shepherd’s hooks stuck into the ground.

There are also some natural remedies that you can make at home to repel raccoons from your garden. These remedies are often more effective than commercial repellants because they use substances that raccoons naturally dislike, such as garlic powder and chili powder.

Sprinkle garlic and chili powder around your garden.

• Garlic and chili powder: A mixture of garlic and chili powder is one of the most effective natural raccoon repellants. Raccoons dislike the smell of this spice and avoid places that smell of this spice. To make a garlic and chili powder repellant, mix equal parts of the two spices together. Sprinkle the mixture around your garden, especially where raccoons frequent, such as around compost piles, garbage cans and vegetable gardens. Reapply the mixture every few days or after rain.
• Wood Ash: Wood ash is a versatile material with various uses including soil amendment, pest control. It is a combustion byproduct of the residue after burning wood. Wood ash has a strong, unpleasant odor that raccoons find irritating. When wood ash is applied around the perimeter of a garden or yard, it creates a barrier that discourages raccoons from entering. Hardwood ash is generally more effective than softwood ash. I have personally used wood ash to repel raccoons from my garden and found it to work very well.

Which raccoon repellent is best?

The best raccoon deterrent for you will depend on your personal situation and the area you need to protect.

If you have a large garden, you can use a combination of repellents. But I personally use Predator urine urine and garlic or chili powder in my garden because they are easy to use and effective.

Predator urine is readily available at any garden center or online store, and garlic and pepper are commonly found in our kitchens.

Remove food source.

Raccoons are resourceful scavengers that feast on everything from pet food, garbage to bird droppings and even compost. By removing these tempting food sources, you can make your garden less inviting to raccoons and reduce their chances of entering your garden.

• Bring your pet’s food inside at night: The smell of pet food is overwhelming to raccoons, so it’s crucial to bring your pet’s food in later in the afternoon.
• Secure your trash cans: Raccoons can easily open trash cans, so it’s important to secure them firmly. Weight the lid down with a heavy object to keep your trash out of reach, or you can purchase a raccoon-proof trash can.
• Remove bird seed from your garden: Raccoons are very attracted to bird seed, so it is important to remove it from your garden. You can bring your bird feeder indoors at night or hang it on a pole that is out of reach of raccoons.
• Trim Trees and Shrubs: Raccoons use trees and shrubs as a way to hide in your garden, so regularly trim any bushes in your garden to reduce their hiding places. Additionally, remove potential shelters, such as old tires or boxes, that these animals may find attractive.
• Seal any holes around your yard: Raccoons can easily travel through small holes, so carefully seal any holes or gaps around your yard. Use caulk or wire mesh to block these entry points well and keep out those pesky intruders.

Plant plants that raccoons don’t like.

You can deter raccoons from entering your garden by planting thorny plants such as squash, cucumbers and oriental poppies around the garden. These plants create an impenetrable barrier that raccoons find difficult to penetrate.

Another effective raccoon deterrent strategy is to plant bitter green vegetables with sweet fruits and vegetables. Raccoons do not like bitter flavors such as kale, collards and mustard greens. The presence of this bitter green among tasty crops can discourage raccoons from raiding your garden.

Some herbs, such as garlic, onion, and mint, emit strong odors that raccoons find unpleasant. Planting these herbs around your garden perimeter creates a scent barrier that prevents raccoons from entering.

Plant companion plants such as marigolds and nasturtiums to help repel various pests, including raccoons. Plant these flowering plants near your vegetables for natural pest control.

Here are some specific plants that help repel raccoons:

• Garlic: Garlic is a natural repellent for raccoons. Planting garlic around your garden can help keep raccoons away. The strong smell of garlic is unpleasant for raccoons and irritates their respiratory system. Additionally, if a raccoon eats enough garlic, it can suffer from vomiting, diarrhea and other health problems.

• Onions: Onions, like garlic, emit a pungent odor that helps keep raccoons away. This aversion is due to the presence of sulfoxides and disulfides, two sulfur-containing compounds found in onions that are toxic to raccoons. These compounds irritate the eyes and nose of raccoons, forcing them to leave the area.

I have personally had success using onions as a natural deterrent to keep raccoons out of my garden. One year, I had a raccoon problem in my garden, and I tried everything to get rid of them. I tried traps, deterrents and even fencing, but nothing seemed to work. Finally, I decided to try onions. And I cut a few onions and put them in bowls around my garden. Within a few days, the raccoons were reduced to troubles! I’m so relieved that I finally found a solution that worked.

To use this method, simply chop up a few onions and place them in bowls around your garden. Alternatively, you can mash onions and mix with water to make a spray that can be applied directly to plants and garden areas.

This natural remedy is a safe and effective way to protect your garden from raccoon damage without resorting to harmful chemicals. Onion is a common household item, so it is easy to find and use. it is relatively inexpensive, making them a cost-effective solution.

• Peppermint Oil: Raccoons are a big problem for homeowners because they often steal food from gardens and trash cans. A safe way to keep raccoons away is to use peppermint oil. Peppermint oil has a strong smell that raccoons do not like, which forces them to leave the area. To make a peppermint oil spray, mix equal parts of peppermint essential oil and rubbing alcohol, then add water and shake well. Spray the mixture around your garden or where you have seen raccoons.

Peppermint oil can also mask the smell of food, making it difficult for raccoons to find their usual food. Raccoons rely on their sense of smell to find food, so if they can’t smell food, they’re less likely to come to your yard.

To keep raccoons away for good, you need to spray the peppermint oil mixture regularly, as it can dry out over time. By spraying regularly, you can keep raccoons away from your home and garden.

Trapping: An Effective but Humane Method of Raccoon Control

Raccoons can be a real headache for homeowners and gardeners, from stealing garden fruits and vegetables to carrying diseases like rabies and posing health risks. Although there are many ways to prevent raccoons from entering your property, trapping is an effective and humane method of removing these unwanted guests.

When to Consider Trapping

Trapping should only be considered a last resort after other methods of raccoon control have proven unsuccessful. If raccoons cause significant damage to your property or pose a threat to your health or safety, trapping may be the best option.

Types of Traps

There are many types of traps available for raccoons, some of the most common types of traps include:

• Havahart Live Trap: These traps are designed to capture raccoons alive without harming them. They are usually made of metal or heavy-duty plastic and have a spring-loaded door that closes when a raccoon enters the trap. Havahart traps are a good choice for homeowners who want to trap raccoons without harming them.
• Tomahawk Live Traps: These traps are similar to Havahart traps but are usually larger and more durable. They are a good option for catching larger raccoons.
• Cage traps: These traps are also designed to capture raccoons alive. They are usually made of wire mesh and have a door that the raccoon has to push to get into the trap. Cage traps are a good choice for trappers looking for a more affordable option.(If you want to know more details about traps, you can visit wildlife-removal.com.)
• Lethal traps: Although live traps are generally preferred. lethal traps should only be used as a last resort, and only by experienced trappers with proper permission. Lethal traps are a good choice for situations where it is not possible to trap the raccoon alive.

How to handle captured raccoons?

Once you’ve captured a raccoon, it’s important to handle it . Here are some guidelines for handling:

• Wear protective gloves: Raccoons can carry diseases, so it’s important to wear gloves when handling them.
• Approach the trap slowly and calmly: Do not startle the raccoon, as this may injure them.
• Cover the trap with a blanket: this will help calm the raccoon and make transport easier.
• Take the raccoon to the release site: Release the raccoon in an area that is away from your property, preferably a wooded area with a water source.
• Legal considerations. Raccoons ay be subject to local or state regulations. It is important to contact your local wildlife authority before trapping raccoons to ensure you are complying with all applicable laws. In some areas, trapping raccoons without a permit may be illegal. In other areas, there may be specific laws that regulate the types of traps that can be used or the locations where raccoons can be released. By contacting your local wildlife authority, you can ensure that you are trapping raccoons legally and ethically.

Conclusion :

Although raccoons may seem harmless, they can cause damage to gardens as well as pose a risk to human health by spreading diseases and parasites.

While no single method can guarantee complete raccoon prevention, a combination of repellents can keep these masked bandits at bay. Repellents such as sprays and granules can create an unpleasant environment for raccoons, fences, and motion-activated devices can create physical barriers, and removing predator urine and food sources can make your yard less attractive to raccoons.

Raccoons are undoubtedly intelligent and resourceful animals, able to adapt to different environments. With patience, persistence, and implementing proactive preventative measures, you can effectively deter raccoons from your garden and protect both your health and your garden.