Raccoon problem :(

16 years ago

I have a bird feeder on my fence, and every night I try to remember to bring it in, because if I don't, what I thought was a a squirrel, would knock it over and spill everything. I also wasn't interested in feeding the squirrels, and the birds seem to vanish at dusk anyway.

Also, I often have to take my dogs out in the night to do their "business". Last night when I took them out I heard a loud noise, and it was a raccoon scrambling up the fence. He went into a tree, just above the fence, and he was turned towards and interested in Gracie, my three pound chihuahua. I said "HEY!" and waved my arm, and he looked at me and then turned towards Gracie again. I called Gracie, who seemed unaware of this, and she came towards me and peed right near me and I scooped her up and brought her back in the house.

The raccoon did not run off, nor did it seem disturbed by my presence. I would have expected him to shy away from a human. I sure did not want my dog attacked, or have to deal with his sharp claws against me either. My question is... am I going to have to stop feeding the birds? I think the bird seed has attracted him. I can make sure I always bring the seed in at night (I had forgotten two nights ago), but the birds still drop some seeds that could continue to draw him to our yard. I'd hate to stop feeding the birds, but I sure don't want anything to happen to my dogs. Any suggestions?

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Comments (14)

marilyn_c
16 years ago
I'd bring the feeder in at night, and not worry about a few seeds spilled. If he comes to eat them, be aware he might be out there when you let your dog out. He won't fight her unless she corners him. Even if you trap him and haul him off or have animal control come get him, if there is one raccoon in the area, there are more, and another one will step up to take his place.
lynn_d
16 years ago
I have them here as well, they don't usually bother much other than eating the seeds that the birds drop. I had to add a huge baffle to the feeder pole to keep them from climbing the pole and taking the feeders apart. They love those sunflower seeds!

We currently have semi-feral kittens under our deck, I have been caring for them in hopes of being able to catch them and have them neutered. There is usually dry cat food on the patio, one young raccoon loves it and comes every night to finish it up! He has never harmed the kittens but they are do not to go near.
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Considering the time of year,It is possible that there is a pregnant raccoon nesting there that has no ability or intention of moving, --or worse, one that already has young that your dog is either frightening to death or habituating to a dog's barking--neither a good situation. If there has been a birth, that could be what has heightened your dog's interest. I suspect that as soon as it is feasible to do so, the raccoon will respond to your dog's attention by moving. In the meantime, it probably believes the only safe place for it is inside the fence. You might want to curb your dog for awhile, at least at regular and predictable times of the day, until the raccoon is able to relocate. Raccoons sometimes carry parasites that dogs can catch. That is a good reason not to remove the fence. Also, if there is a body of water near or on your property, be aware that a large raccoon can sometimes drown a pursuing dog. If you are unable to curb your dog, you might want to try spraying the fence with a dog-cat repellent such as is used on furniture. Possibly it might mask the smell of the raccoon from your dog, or even give the raccoon the idea that the location no longer belongs to it.
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susan_on
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, Marilyn. I don't really care for raccoons but I would never hurt one, or have one taken away. I think that is cruel to do. My dogs are so small (3 pounds and 5 pounds) that they could easily be the victim of a raccoon or that red tailed hawk that keeps flying overhead. I was unnerved about that raccoon not being intimidated by my presence.

That's very kind of you to take care of those kittens, Lynn.
clairdo2
16 years ago
I have no raccoons yet this year but a couple of years ago they would come to my mountain ash 5 at a time as soon as it got dark. They are not afraid of people or dogs. They would also empty my bird feeder.They just stare at you and keep on doing their business. Hope i don't get them this year...
vala55
16 years ago
I have most of my bird feeding problems solved. Places that specializes in feeders usually have poles to hang your feeders on. Mine comes in three sections. The bottom section is made to screw into the ground using a large screw driver as a handle. Then I have two sections inserted in each other with hooks on the top. If you can't find them near you...you can order them online. The baffle you see in the photo keeps the squirrels away. My husband sawed a 1/4 inch off the perches so large birds can not hang on. It works for me. It's hard to see the feeders for the trees in the back, but they are there. You can also zap your seeds in the micro wave for 2 minutes and they won't sprout under the feeder.
vala55
16 years ago
I have most of my bird feeding problems solved. Places that specializes in feeders usually have poles to hang your feeders on. Mine comes in three sections. The bottom section is made to screw into the ground using a large screw driver as a handle. Then I have two sections inserted in each other with hooks on the top. If you can't find them near you...you can order them online. The baffle you see in the photo keeps the squirrels away. My husband sawed a 1/4 inch off the perches so large birds can not hang on. It works for me. It's hard to see the feeders for the trees in the back, but they are there. You can also zap your seeds in the micro wave for 2 minutes and they won't sprout under the feeder.
vala55
16 years ago
sorry about the double post I was getting an error message.
lavon46
16 years ago
Vala55, your flowers are SO pretty, and Oh your grass is BEAUTIFUL !!
I have never seen any raccoons around here, but we have an abundance of squirrels and they like to destroy some of my plants and yet others they leave alone, so little by little I learn what they like. We feed the birds, have lots of quail, so naturally we get a few other critters show up too.
vala55
16 years ago
Thanks for the kind comments. It doesn't look like that now. The HOA waters every day, some times twice a day and all but one of those plants rotted. I had a gardener come out, he turned it into a berm and I had the HOA adjust the sprinklers, now the excess water runs off. I will replant this fall.

I've never had a squirrel damage my plants and I have been feeding them for years. My problem is rabbits, cotton tails and jack rabbits. I found something called Liquid Fence that does work, but boy does it stink. Use it only before you hit the shower. I had possums one time so bad they were living under our ground decks, one died under there and it really stunk for awhile. I trapped them and took them to the country for release, then closed up the deck bottoms so they couldn't get back in.
soxxxx
16 years ago
A racoon was coming every night and climbing my pear tree and knocking down 2 or 3 pears and lots of leaves. He would gnaw a little on each pear. Then in the day wasps and bees would start on the open pear flesh.

I trapped him and had a friend take him to the woods a few miles from my house. In 2 nights he or a relative was back.

They won. I surrendered. The pears are finished until next year. They now have discovered my son's deer feeder. They are clever and cute.
susanjf_gw
16 years ago
racoons are not shy and we've had our fair share of encounters...

i used to leave a window open for the cats to get in and out, till "rocky" discovered it...then switched to door style..

they had a field day with that! and more than once encountered them IN THE HOUSE! they'd eat the dry cat food washing it with the water and leaving muddy prints everywhere...went so far once to get all the bread i bought at the bread store one day off the table...

we'd left for a weekend and forgot the close the door..came home to mom and her triplets...

needless to say that door is closed without fail! they don't seem to bother out feeder..or the fallen seed...

just be careful as they can carry rabies, and make sure your house pets are up to date on shots...
Marcia Thornley
16 years ago
I used to have 3 fish in my pond. Now I have none!!! We have family of raccoons that visit every night. They have no fear at all.
User
16 years ago
They are pains but I love them. I had one as a pet for two years when my kids were young. Thinking back, it wasn't very wise since he had free reign of the property. He was clever and sweet.
mariend
16 years ago
As cute as they are, here most are elimated due to so much damage done to the farmers crops, diseases, and other reasons.

Raccoon problem :(

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Raccoon problem :(

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