My parents are having troubles.
It seems that a local raccoon (hyperlinked here, for those non-North American readers who may not know what a raccoon is) has been climbing the steps to their back deck (no easy feat, as there are about 15 quite steep steps)
I giggle as I write this, but I really ought not to, because I can imagine it must be dreadful to a) have an animal so determined to shit upon one's back doorstep and b) play a daily game of watching their feet when they leave the house.
When I was there a baby-gate had been bungeed to the top of the steps, but it seems that now the raccoon (likely due to their opposable thumbs) has perhaps now learned to climb, or Heaven forbid! open said baby-gate. According to their last email a barracade of sorts has been contructed and an outside light has been left on. There is talk of a live-trap when they get home if the problem is not solved.
I have done some investigating though, and have found a few other ideas to help save the problem of the pooping raccoon.
There is Critter All Natural Animal Repellent
Wolf Urine (right...now we just need a wolf)
Hare-less Hot Pepper Rabbit and Raccoon Repellent (these people also specialise in deer, mole, squirrel, and armadillo repellent)
The Toronto Humane Society reminds my parents to secure the house so that they cannot find shelter within ("David what a hairy arm you suddenly have!")
This site specifically mentions raccoons on porches, and suggests a good dousing of water. Mom already has practice at that, and just the super-soaker to do the job....
There are battery operated sprinklers, lights and scarecrows attached to garden hoses
A little recipe for a stew made from onion and cayenne and jalapeno peppers
Napthla and loud music (and ammonia soaked rags) will be popular with the neighbours I'll bet!
Pellet Guns didn't work for one of these guys but if you read further a 22 rifle seems to work...
Best of luck, lovely PU! For what it's worth, the raccoon couldn't have picked the doorstep of a lovlier couple to poop upon!!
Or perhaps... you could set up an assault course (like the famous squirrel advert we had here in the UK in the 90s - see this film on you tube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aY9GBl7UmVs (how do you add hyperlinks to this?) and see just how far this raccoon guy is prepared to go to get on the porch!
ReplyDeleteLisa x
PS we know what Raccoons are in the UK thanks to the great kids cartoon, The Racoons!!
We had about a dozen of them on our back deck at once, which really scared the family cat. Racoons are not timid in large numbers.
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