There's a RACCOON in my GARAGE!!!

guapsnaman · 06-23-05, 03:28

Yes, as the title says. But let us take time to those who have powers far beyonds ours that the only damage done to my car is a couple of foot print dirt marks and a nice puddle of urine. It is currently still up there, locked up until the exterminator arrives and the Maxima is sitting outside. I'll be sure to take some pics if I can get him when he's caught.

zippymbr · 06-23-05, 04:20

A good time to pull out the rock salt filled shotgun shells.

Hemi57 · 06-23-05, 06:04

What do you guys do with Raccoons? Are they exterminated

or do you relocate them to a nearby park?

I have a bit of trouble with Possums in my area. They use my roof as a highway and boy do they thunder across that during the night

And the little buggers eat my fruit from the trees too, including the lemons. Damn wildlife eh?

lbls1 · 06-23-05, 06:13

I have them in my backyard. I use red pepper powder on the garbage cans and bags, and that keeps them from going through the garbage. It is effective because it stings their noses, tongues, and the powder flies and lingers. The only drawback is if it rains.

I am not sure of any other methods of deterrents or extermination. I would definitely like to know as well. Don't allow your pets to go near them, as they will claw anything that comes too close. They will not bother anything otherwise; Raccoons are just nuisances in terms of making commotion and going through garbage.

themightytimmah · 06-23-05, 06:18

Well, since you live in NY, its probably not legal to discharge a firearm around there. I live in the city too, otherwise I'd just use a 12 gauge. IMy friend in the city uses a pellet pistol, it'll kill with a good shot, or dissuade with BB's and a snap shot, plus it won't attract enough attention to get you in serious trouble. I'm kind of an animal lover though, so I usually try to bait em into a trap (non-lethal), or just scare em away with my dog.

Setec Astronomy · 06-23-05, 06:19

As long as they aren't rabid....had one stagger into my driveway during the day and just look at me while I was yelling at him to get lost...back when we were having a local bout of rabies.

I also had a family in my chimney once, the exterminator just threw some smelling salts or something in there and came back the next day (after the racoons left) and put a cap on...that's one of those days that you look up and down the block and realize that everyone has caps on their chimney except you...

PrinzII · 06-24-05, 05:01

Coyote urine, maybe. Supposed to work for skunks.

Setec Astronomy · 06-24-05, 05:07

Yeah, but there's never a coyote around when you need one!

percynjpn · 06-24-05, 06:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by themightytimmah

I'd just use a 12 gauge.

I'm kind of an animal lover though, so I usually try to bait em into a trap (non-lethal), or just scare em away with my dog.

A 12 gauge?! Talk about "overkill"(pardon the pun) . Anyway, I'm glad you do the same that I'd always done back in the W. Mass woods where I grew up.

Accumulator · 06-24-05, 06:40

Oh man, just *ask* me about raccoons!!

We had some get into the unfinished attic of our house during the remodeling, where they reproduced; we ended up with a bunch of them that moved in and out and finally moved in and stayed put (we live in a woods). Wouldn't go into the traps regardless of bait, weren't bothered by predator urine either. Had some get into inaccessible areas and they died there, stinking up the house something awful. Whole thing finally resulted in a partial roof tear-off, replacement of some ceilings and drywall, complete "hazmat process" on the attic (guys in space suits, extensive decontamination procedures), all new insulation, etc., replacement of thousands of dollars worth of security system stuff (chewed wires caused short-outs), etc. etc. Took forever, with the house like a disaster area. Fortunately, the homeowner's insurance covered most of it because raccoons aren't classified as "rodents".

If you're gonna shoot them, use a major caliber (with the right ammo) and make sure you hit them right. I saw one soak up some poorly placed 9mms and keep going. You absolutely do *not* want to tangle with a raccoon, let alone an injured one. Hitting one with rocksalt could change your life forever, no foolin', so forget about that or hitting them with BBs. Yeah, they're cute (my uncle had a tame one for many years), but they can be as nasty as critters get and their vital-hit zone is pretty small (and they don't stay still once they're injured).

What the exterminators/trappers do with them will be determined by local laws. Some areas let them relocate the critters, others make them kill them. A lot of it has to do with the prevalence of rabies in your area.

SpoiledMan · 06-24-05, 06:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

If you're gonna shoot them, use a major caliber (with the right ammo) and make sure you hit them right. I saw one soak up some poorly placed 9mms and keep going. You absolutely do *not* want to tangle with a raccoon, let alone an injured one. Hitting one with rocksalt could change your life forever, no foolin', so forget about that or hitting them with BBs. Yeah, they're cute (my uncle had a tame one for many years), but they can be as nasty as critters get and their vital-hit zone is pretty small (and they don't stay still once they're injured).

This couldn't be more true! They are very intelligent, very aggressive and determined as all hell. If it's momma and the babies around she will take on you and whatever you bring with you.

DFTowel · 06-24-05, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by guapsnaman

Y...locked up until the exterminator arrives...

EXTERMINATOR!!!

no no no no... call a game warden or pest control company that traps it, ALIVE! and moves it far from you. If nobody is available just buy a Havahart trap at Sears or Home Depot and when you catch it drive it at least five miles from you and release it in a park or wooded area.