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svanessa

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Stepped outside a few minutes ago and heard some huge loping animal scurring away, out of sight until it popped up at the end of my patio and stared back at me...it was a huge racoon. First time I've ever seen one in the wild. That guy was bigger than my cat! Must have been a good 25-30 lbs...so now I have to add this to the destructive critters eating my fruits...I wonder if he's the one that took a bite out of a developing Barnisotte, cutting it right in half.

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Sue
Zone 9B, 1946'
Ramona, CA
San Diego County

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Raccoons are bad news. He'll keep coming back if you don't remove him or kill him. And he'll bring friends.
WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
They have a sweet tooth for sure and are clever and strong. 
jake

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Living in a rural area I have at times had problems with racoons. Mostly with them raiding my bluebird boxes for the hatchlings. A simple $29 fence charger will train a racoon with only one encounter.
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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
I've given racoons swimming lessons.  They are slow learners.  I relocated one once but that was too scary, seemed like a scene from a horror movie.
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Harvey - Correia Farms
Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14

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jtp

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Turn it into taxidermy with a fig in its mouth.
OttawanZ5

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Racoons are smart and destructive. They know how to open using a door knob so one has to have an extra latch. That is our experience with the garage back door where we keep garbage bags before the pick-up dates.
They were used to coming into the garage from the backyard side. After adding extra latch they now try to remove the concrete from under the garage front door. They made big hole but gave up before getting in. They used to look cute to me before but I hate them with passion now.
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Posted Reply with quote  #8 

Agree to what John said!  The only way to get rid of that dude is to get a big dog or to trap him.  They do have a sever sweet tooth.  I use havaheart traps and use marshmallows as bait.  You have to melt the marshmallow on the bait tray and secure the trap so he can't spin it around.  Trust me, I went through 2 cans of potted meat and an apple until I learned how to trap him using marshmallows. 
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Dennis
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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
I am surprised that this is your first encounter.
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Gr8Figs

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
At least the raccoon didn't do more damage. I had one or more break a number of limbs in a 20' Santa Rosa plum tree in the process of getting the plums at the end of the branches a couple years ago.

    It isn't normal behavior for a raccoon to be moving around in the daytime so there is a possibility that your raccoon could be rabid.It needs to be put down permanently and not released so it becomes a problem to one of your neighbors.
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Barry Northeast Georgia 8a Wish List:Medium-Small Size,Dark Cold Hardy Figs

Low Temperature of 4F in 2015,17F in 2016
musillid

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
The good news is raccoon is tasty, although the big ones tend to be tough, from age. If he manages to fatten himself, you can get your figs back, if indirectly.
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Dale
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greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
In California raccoons and opossums are everywhere, but mostly at the night time. They dont like the lit spaces so a bright light bulb could help a little. But they are smart and will figure something out.
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svanessa

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Thanks everyone. I'm getting a trap for sure. I have opposum to get rid of too. Thanks for the marshmallow idea Dennis. I will try that first. Jon, racoons are nocturnal beasts probably why I've not seen one before. This guy was out in full sunlight, very surprising. Barry, I assume all wild critters have rabies, keeps me from being to stupid in dealing with them. Trust me, if I catch the rascal he's a gonner. My neighbor will take care of it for me. I'm too soft-hearted even in the face of fruit-loss. :-) Dale, recipes?
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Sue
Zone 9B, 1946'
Ramona, CA
San Diego County
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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
You can try the water spray, something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Contech-CRO101-Scarecrow-Activated-Sprinkler/dp/B000071NUS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370989786&sr=8-1&keywords=scarecrow+water+sprinkler

it has a motion detector.
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BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Racoons also like cat food. Maybe a half can and some marshmallows. That'll probably get the oppossum too  
Womack

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Live traps will work, but you do run the risk of catching non target animals. If raccoons are your specific target the best option is a coon cuff. It is baited with a small marshmallow. Basically you bury the trap, it looks like a small hole with a marshmallow in it. The raccoon puts its paw in to retrieve the bait, trips the trap and can't remove it's paw. Of course you do have to dispatch the raccoon to get it out of the trap......unless you want some high adventure.

Also any mammal can be a carrier of rabies, but despite popular belief seeing animals out during daylight hours is not a diagnostic symptom of a rabid animal.
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Womack
Northwest Georgia 7b
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svanessa

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Dude, your days are numbered...just picked this baby up today.

Does anyone know of a good bait for rabbits? Cabbage, lettuce? Once I dispatch the racoon, opposum and rabbits are the next targets. War has begun...

Womack as long as I don't catch a skunk, I'm OK.

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Sue
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San Diego County

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Broccoli and of course carrotsfor rabbits and ground hogs, unfortunately skunks like all and any bait
greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
I think you have to move the raccoon about 5-7 miles away from your house or they will come back.
Check the distance online.
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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Skunks. Sigh. I catch one or two a year in the process of catching and euthanizing many, many ground squirrels each growing season. They're relatively easy to deal with, though definitely stinky. Approach slowly with a tarp in front of you, lay it over the live trap, pry the trap open with gloved hand and wedge a rock or piece of wood in the keep the door open and back off and allow the skunk to skedaddle. It may wait until dark to leave the trap.

I've had to prod one or two out of the trap when they refused to back out (they do not seem to like leading with their smelly end), but letting them go is a better alternative than dealing with a skunk carcass. They stink very badly once they die. Quadruple bagging in plastic hardly makes a dent in the smell.

Haven't had a coon problem in my orchard or garden yet, but they are in the area. I bet I see them once I get the chicken coop up and running.
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Neil
Reno, NV
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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
  In fairness to Opossums, a veteriarian told me they dont carry rabies because their body temp is too low.  In So Cal an organic, 200 acre avocado ranch let people release opossums there because they are the only thing that eats large quantities of snails and they couldnt use snail posons.

Soni
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Alan1631

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Posted Reply with quote  #22 

I think you only have 3 choices....buy/borrow a trap and relocate; mix up a "mickey" and poison him; employ a little lead poisoning....22 cal ought to do it.  Everyone is right...when they find a food source, they will keep coming back and bring friends.
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Alan
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musillid

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Posted Reply with quote  #23 
On a more serious note, be careful: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/agricult/pdf/raccoons.pdf
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Dale
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Posted Reply with quote  #24 
Or you could get a dog.  
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Dave
Verde Valley, AZ
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Womack

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Posted Reply with quote  #25 
Sue,
Skunk would probably provide the most adventure.
For rabbits dried apples and or cut sweet potato are good baits. If you really have a lot of rabbits to deal with you can purchase a lure attractant that works really well. I have had better luck with rabbits covering the sides and top to make the trap look like a tunnel. Just make sure that whatever you use does not have odd scent as this will prevent rabbit visitation.
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Womack
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rookie

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Posted Reply with quote  #26 
The best way to deal with a racoon is get a haveahart trap, trap the little sucker and toss the whole trap into a garbage pail full of water for about 10 minutes. toss the racoon  into a garbage bag, throw it out and the problem is solved. Or you could make a racoon skin hat ,lol.

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Posted Reply with quote  #27 
Nice.
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svanessa

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Posted Reply with quote  #28 
Rookie, that's funny but not beyond my abilities. I quilt afterall. I can make a fur hat. I hate the thought of drowning so I'd rather shoot it and make it quick. I can patch the hole ;-) I can't even drown the darn squirrels I catch.
 
Knowing that capturing a skunk is a possibility I'm setting the trap FAR away from the house. :-) I like skunks, they are very pretty and playful beasts. I would hate to harm one. Actually racoons are beautiful animals too but it's them or me.

I will inherit my mom's dog when she passes, a rough collie. I need to get a fence built for him though. My property is totally fenceless and I really like it that way but...
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Sue
Zone 9B, 1946'
Ramona, CA
San Diego County
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Posted Reply with quote  #29 
Rabits love bananas. Ask anyone who's had them as pets. When a pregnant rabbit wont eat anything else, she will eat a piece of banana.
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HarveyC

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Posted Reply with quote  #30 
Many years ago I took a taxidermy class in the evening at my high school.  I also trapped ground squirrels and once caught a skunk which I shot.  I admired the fur and talked my younger brother into giving me a hand into removing it's fur to be tanned.  I was careful, but careful enough and we both discovered the precise location of the scent sacks.  As I recall, it was maybe around Thursday or Friday and by Sunday we still smelled to much so mom said we weren't going to Mass, LOL.  The racoon hat would be fine, Sue, just don't get confused and decide to make yourself a skunk hat, it's just not worth the risk! ;)

By the way, I persevered and did finish removing the fur from that skunk and had it framed out and in an empty grain silo when our levee broke in June 1972.  We lost our home, crops, and many of our belongings, including one skunk pelt.  I can't say I really missed it.
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Harvey - Correia Farms
Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14

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svanessa

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Posted Reply with quote  #31 
Dang if that racoon wasn't at my rear screen door tonight! I had picked up the bowl of dry cat food and put it on top of the BBQ. I wouldn't think it could smell it from there but he did...guess I need to stop feeding the semi-feral cat.

Bob , I will try bananas for the rabbits...thx!
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Sue
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Rewton

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Posted Reply with quote  #32 
I have been trying to trap squirrels using a live trap that has one door that closes on the prey and another door that can be opened (and then secured) in order to bait the trap.  I have been using peanuts as bait and have only caught one squirrel so far.  Usually the bait is missing but the trap hasn't been triggered or the trap has been triggered with no prey inside.  Yesterday, I caught a male cardinal!  Then this morning I found that whatever animal that was caught managed to get the rear door off!  This isn't supposed to happen.  Also the bait pan was clearly bent out of shape.  I suspect I have a racoon too.  I guess I need a bigger trap and will try using the melted  marshmellow trick as Dennis suggests.  Also this morning three birds were caught in the netting I just installed over the blueberries.  I suppose it is time to put netting entirely around the tomato patch if I want to each tomatoes this year. Critters seem worse this year...it's a never-ending battle.
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Steve MD zone 7a
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Posted Reply with quote  #33 
Oh, I forgot to ask - Sue did you catch your racoon?  If so, do you have any tips???
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Steve MD zone 7a
svanessa

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Posted Reply with quote  #34 
The trap just arrived. I'll have time to set it up this weekend. I have to stop at the store for marshmallows too.

Rewton, I've had a lot of success with the squirrelinator. I've caught up to 4 squirrels in the same trap at once and have pretty much cleaned out the squirrels for now. I know over time the new void will be filled but for now I'm squirrel free. I baited with bird seed (sunflower seed) and peanut butter.
http://squirrelinator.com/. Unfortunately I'm thinking some bigger critter (coyote, racoon?) carried off the trap probably trying to get to trapped squirrels because it is gone. I have to go get another one.

Sue
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Sue
Zone 9B, 1946'
Ramona, CA
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Posted Reply with quote  #35 
Sue,

what does the squirrleinator run?  I could not find a cost on thier site.  I am guessing they do not sell direct but I have to find a dealer?
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Greg North West Arkanasas Zone 6b
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Rewton

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Posted Reply with quote  #36 
Sue, the squirelnator even comes with its own basin - gotta love it!  I'm definitely interested in this trap too.
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Steve MD zone 7a
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Posted Reply with quote  #37 
Greg, about $50 on amazon. 
javajunkie

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Posted Reply with quote  #38 
Please be very careful when letting your dogs go after racoons. My son's dog got one and ripped it's stomach open. Two weeks later we find the otherwise perfectly healthy dog laying in the living room floor horribly jaundiced and unable to move.
Rushed him to the vet and even talked about the racoon and asked if it could be from that. No, no the vet says, his kidneys are shutting down, he's gonna die. I throw a fit and make him run more tests and put the dog on an IV so I can keep him hydrated and have something flushing his kidneys. I keep the dog on IV fluids for 6 days round the clock at home while he farts around and sends the tests wherever. Finally we get an answer....it is a bacterial infection from the racoon, something only they carry in their digestive tract. Finally 6 weeks if injectable antibiotics with pills as well and the dog lived. However he is also living with irreversible kidney damage.
This was in Washington before we moved. Funny thing was, I was telling my cat vet about it and before I got past the word racoon she named the infection. We no longer employ the dogs vet!
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Tami
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svanessa

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Posted Reply with quote  #39 
Gregg,

Amazon and ebay both sell it for around $48-$65.
http://www.shopping.com/%22squirrelinator-squirrel-trap%22/products?CLT=SCH&KW=%22squirrelinator+squirrel+trap%22

A couple other places have it too. I'm lucky my local feed store, Kahoots, sells it.

Sue
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Sue
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Posted Reply with quote  #40 
Tami,
Great story and I applaud you for the courage and tenacity to save your dog's life. GOOD JOB!
As far as your dog vet;
Just remember half of all doc.'s graduate in the bottom half of their class.
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HarveyC

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Posted Reply with quote  #41 
I've had some recent failure in using the squirrelantor.  I was putting an ear of dried field corn in the trap but twice in a row I found the empty cob in the trap.  I think the squirrels must have reached in and pulled the cob to the side and then chewed off the kernels.  They have an appetite for corn so I'll go back to putting some loose corn on the ground below the trap.  I tied the trap to a tree so that coyotes wouldn't drag it off like something did with Sue's though I didn't have problems with that in my orchard near the house.

About 14 years ago I saw a young coyote pup eating peaches from one of my trees about 25 feet from my house.  That's the first and only time I've seen that though I do see coyote feces around the farm with cherry pits so I guess they prefer eating fruit from the neighbor's cherry orchard. ;)
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Harvey - Correia Farms
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