Keeping racoon out of garden

[ArthurDent004]

A former co-worker told me Friday that earlier in the week he lost almost all the plants in his back yard garden. He didn't see what did the damage but he swears it had to have been a raccoon. He had 11 or 12 tomatoes ripening on the vine and also lost bell peppers, cucumbers, and squash. The only thing that survived was his jalapeno peppers.

I said I'd pass on his tale of woe and ask for suggestions on how to keep the varmints from his garden next year.

[Doug9345]

For raccoons maybe a fence with barbed wire that leans out at the top. Trap them early before there is stuff to eat in the garden. Motion activated sprinkler might work.

Urban areas make sure that there is no garbage, dog and cat food left out that will make his place a regular food stop for them.

Rural areas lead poisoning works. 22 caliber is the cheapest to administer.

[clkeiper]

I would suspect a groundhog or deer before the 'coon. Just thinking that a 'coon must be nearly starving to eat all those vegetables. they need more protein than that, but not a deer or groundhog. ( at least around here they eat mostly the corn, but don't seem to bother the rest of the garden)

[kevn357]

Originally Posted by clkeiper

I would suspect a groundhog or deer before the 'coon. Just thinking that a 'coon must be nearly starving to eat all those vegetables. they need more protein than that, but not a deer or groundhog. ( at least around here they eat mostly the corn, but don't seem to bother the rest of the garden)

Yep, I have a few raccoons here and they only eat the corn, haven't touched anything else.

[peppero]

raccoons are easy to trap(humane type) as they like cracker of about any kind as well as cat food. they can sure be pesty.

jon

[tjg911]

Originally Posted by clkeiper

I would suspect a groundhog or deer before the 'coon. Just thinking that a 'coon must be nearly starving to eat all those vegetables. they need more protein than that, but not a deer or groundhog. ( at least around here they eat mostly the corn, but don't seem to bother the rest of the garden)

i agree, corn is what coons are after. lead poisoning!

tom

[Kazfam]

Trap and relocate.

[clkeiper]

Originally Posted by Kazfam

Trap and relocate.

I, for one, cannont support the " theory" of trap and release. this is not kind to the animals. shooting them is much kinder. All wild animals are territorial and will fight to the death to defend their food area. The "trap and release" victims will more likely starve to death or be attacked by the already established animals and perhaps die from their injuries. I see it out here in the country all the time...especially the people who drop off their unwanted cats. My cats will gang up on a stray and fight it or run it off. Now where is that poor victim supposed to get food/water? hopefully it will find a mouse or something because I am not feeding it or fixing it. same with wildlife...come to my garden and you will not be treated any better by us.

[tjg911]

Originally Posted by clkeiper

I, for one, cannont support the " theory" of trap and release. this is not kind to the animals. shooting them is much kinder. All wild animals are territorial and will fight to the death to defend their food area. The "trap and release" victims will more likely starve to death or be attacked by the already established animals and perhaps die from their injuries. I see it out here in the country all the time...especially the people who drop off their unwanted cats. My cats will gang up on a stray and fight it or run it off. Now where is that poor victim supposed to get food/water? hopefully it will find a mouse or something because I am not feeding it or fixing it. same with wildlife...come to my garden and you will not be treated any better by us.

i agree and you know that concept has been stated here dozens of time. i have said it more than a few times myself and i will add this as in the past to all the dogooders:

we who live out in the country have our own pests to deal with here, we don't want or need you dumping your pests in our area.

tom

[ContainerTed]

As others have stated, the raccoon is probably not the critter you're looking for. Yes, the little bandits love sweet corn, but seem to have little desire for the other veggies. I'd put my money of a possum or possums. They are basically scavengers and will eat anything they can find. Also, although their diet is usually more protein based, skunks also like gardens. Over the years, I've administered lead poison to quite a number of each of those two species.