Keeping Homes Inhospitable to Nuisance Raccoons

November 25, 2015

Question: Raccoons come up through the culverts in our neighborhood and are causing a lot of trouble. Last year, there was one that tore a vent off our house and got in the subfloor and tore up our ducts under there. This year one of them attacked my dog in our back yard. The vet bill was very expensive. Can I trap them in live traps and have animal control euthanize them for me? (Kathy C.)

Answer: You can trap them but Animal Control may not want to euthanize them for you. Your best course of action is to concentrate on making your house and yard inhospitable. Bolster up your exterior vents and doors to prevent raccoons and other unwanted wildlife from moving in to use for cover. This also means remove all attractants (dog food, fallen fruit, koi ponds, water fountains, etc.). Even water can be an attractant, especially this year. If you do all of this but continue to have a problem, the law allows that it is legal to kill raccoons at any time when they are causing damage.

Some excellent additional information is available online from the UC Integrated Pest Management Program at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/menu.house.html#VERT.

remove all attractants (dog food, fallen fruit, koi ponds, water fountains, etc.).
 If you do all of this but continue to have a problem, the law allows that it is legal to kill raccoons at any time when they are causing damage.

For real? Game on muthafuckers!

Sounds like you need to upgrade your dog.

Maybe Andy has a recipe for Coon Stew

, the law allows that it is legal to kill raccoons at any time when they are causing damage.

I will keep this in mind for future reference...

LEGAL STATUS

In California raccoons are classified as furbearers. The fur harvest season is set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which further determines when and how raccoons may be taken. Raccoons causing damage may be taken at any time by legal means. The California Department of Fish and Game Regulations prohibit the relocation of raccoons and other wildlife without written permission of the Department. For further information, contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

By the way, I read the link provided.  I am still unclear about what the 'legal means' are.

LEGAL STATUS

In California raccoons are classified as furbearers. The fur harvest season is set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which further determines when and how raccoons may be taken. Raccoons causing damage may be taken at any time by legal means. The California Department of Fish and Game Regulations prohibit the relocation of raccoons and other wildlife without written permission of the Department. For further information, contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

By the way, I read the link provided.  I am still unclear about what the 'legal means' are.

If discharging a firearm is illegal where you live, don't shoot a raccoon there.

LEGAL STATUS

In California raccoons are classified as furbearers. The fur harvest season is set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which further determines when and how raccoons may be taken. Raccoons causing damage may be taken at any time by legal means. The California Department of Fish and Game Regulations prohibit the relocation of raccoons and other wildlife without written permission of the Department. For further information, contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

By the way, I read the link provided.  I am still unclear about what the 'legal means' are.

If discharging a firearm is illegal where you live, don't shoot a raccoon there.

Yah, and don't use dynamite.

Archery is King!

Now, about my missing arrow

Now, about my missing arrow

Don't miss.