Raccoons!

honeychile · #1 08-06-2007, 11:03 PM

How does one get rid of these furry garbage cans?

We have a feral cat family living out in a shed. They've been neutered, and are no problem - even our dog watches them in amusement. So, we put a couple plates of food out for them at dusk. Not much, just enough that the kittens among them can eat.

Then comes the evil raccoons. They do nothing but create havoc - they throw the plates of food, then fight each other, scaring the cats. I was so proud of the time that one of the little kitties scratched a raccoon's nose!

So, short of shooting or poisoning them, how do I get rid of the raccoons, but not the cats?

Drolefille · #2 08-07-2007, 12:48 AM

Bring the food in before you go to bed, or before the raccoons come out at least.

I don't think there's really anything you can do that would trap/kill/hurt/scare the raccoons that wouldn't also affect the cats.

kathykd2005 · #3 08-07-2007, 01:44 AM

Yes, anything short of killing them probably won't help very much!!! It's sad, but true. You probably need an exterminator.

Trey_P-I_47 · #4 08-07-2007, 02:19 AM

Get a paintball gun or a low powered BB gun and have some fun in the middle of the night. You may injure them enough to scare them away, but not cause and lasting or real damage to them, and if your AIM is good you can easily miss the cats.

*Sorry I know its slightly cruel, but its all I could come up with at like 2:30 AM*

SWTXBelle · #5 08-07-2007, 08:02 AM

You might also check with your local animal control/wildlife management office - they may have traps they will loan you - when you catch a coon, call them and they will cart it away to happier hunting grounds. (If you catch a cat, just release it - I'm talking about humane traps)
I'd suggest feeding the cats in the morning - racoons are nocturnal, so you'd have fewer problems if you feed the cats during the day.

aggieAXO · #6 08-07-2007, 01:47 PM

if you are going to feed the cats outside at night then you are going to be feeding the coons (and all other night creatures). That is just the way it is. Please don't poison or hurt them. Remember they were there first. Feed the cats during the day and take up the dishes at night. Or feed the cats in an enclosed environment so the coons can't get to the food.

1908Revelations · #7 08-07-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trey_P-I_47

Get a paintball gun or a low powered BB gun and have some fun in the middle of the night. You may injure them enough to scare them away, but not cause and lasting or real damage to them, and if your AIM is good you can easily miss the cats.

*Sorry I know its slightly cruel, but its all I could come up with at like 2:30 AM*

Best suggestion other than killing them.

AKA_Monet · #8 08-07-2007, 08:57 PM

Your problem is the food. Raccoons and other nocturnal creatures eat at night. Most cats do not.

If you call someone to take the raccoons out, they will also take the feral cats. They are a health hazard because they can carry the same kinds of infections as the raccoons.

The other issue is raccoons are more vicious, because they will eat anything.

We have used an ultrasonic sound emitter that makes all the little furballs run away. They DO NOT like it for about 6-9 months, then they become deaf to it. It is actually funny.

You can also add motion-sensor lights. None of the animals like that at all. So when they walk by, they will activate the lights. But, your sleep pattern will be disturbed.

DO NOT paintball or BB gun them. Aside from it being inhumane, it is also quite dangerous for you.

You ought to remove all of them from Animal Control. And if you want the cats, then at least you will get the vet care they need--for free--improve their health and adopt them all.