A woman in Poulsbo, Washington, returned home last week to quite a surprise, a legion of raccoons had surrounded the place, demanding food and preventing her from getting into her house. Like anyone who finds themselves living in a horror film, she called the local authorities. Sheriffs deputies arrived on the scene to experience the surprise for themselves.

“They were shocked,” Kevin McCarty, a spokesperson for the Kitsap County Sheriff, told King 5 News in Seattle. “They had never seen that many raccoons in one place. Nobody ever remembers being surrounded by a swarm of raccoons. This was a first.”

So, how did they get rid of the raccoons? Well, as of Wednesday, they haven’t. The homeowner said that she called an organization that traps animals, but they wanted $500 per raccoon. The sheriff’s deputies recommended that she contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Right now, animal control is still working to find a solution.

How Did This Happen?

This question is much easier to answer than how to get rid of the unwanted house guests. It turns out that the woman who found herself subject to a hostile takeover by the local raccoon population has been feeding them for 35 years. She told authorities that she noticed a substantial increase in the number of raccoons hanging around her home at all hours of the day, waiting for their next meal.

Neighbors noticed an uptick in the local raccoon population during that time, too. One resident told the news outlet that she recently had to take her dog to the vet following a scuffle with one of the hungry visitors from the forest.

Needless to say, this is not exactly a huge surprise. I’m no zoologist, but I do know that if you feed wild animals, it can cause problems. I get it; raccoons are adorable. However, once animals know there’s a food source, they’ll return again and again, just like any unwelcome house guest. Running a cafeteria for local wildlife for more than three decades will only supersize the problem until the animals are practically rioting outside.

How To Keep Raccoons and Other Wild Pests Away from Your Home

Though cute, raccoons can be a nuisance around your home. They’ll wreck your garden and get into your trash, leading to problems with more pests. They can even get into garages, attics and chimneys where they’ll make nests. Raccoons can also carry diseases like rabies, which can harm you and your pets. They’re best viewed from a distance.

The best way to get rid of raccoons is to prevent them from making regular appearances on your property. Here are a few things you can do to keep them from becoming a problem.

  • Don’t feed them! I feel like this one should be obvious after reading what happened to the woman in Washington.
  • Keep your trash secure. Don’t put cans out until trash day. You can bring cans into the garage, but if you have to leave the cans outdoor make sure they have a secure, locking lid.
  • Cover compost bins and keep them away from your house. Protect your garden too, with fences, crop cages, etc.
  • Use chimney caps and vent covers to keep raccoons and other critters from getting into your house.
  • Deterrent sprays. One popular option is to use cayenne pepper diluted in a gallon of water, sprayed that around the garden or other areas where you don’t want wild animals like mice or raccoons.
  • Lights. Motion-activated lights are a home security essential. They’ll help deter would-be burglars, including raccoons.
  • Loud noises. If you notice raccoons loitering around your house, try banging pots and pans or making some other loud noises to scare them away.

If raccoons have gotten into your house, call a professional.

Author
Ryan Van Bibber
A career journalist with almost two decades in the business, Ryan has a natural curiousity to learn how things work and how to make them work better. That spirit has guided his career and helped guide him through his own DIY journey as a homeowner.
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Ryan Van Bibber