Raccoon Habits

• Raccoons are wild animals, but they make their way into communities to seek food and sometimes nesting environments. Their diets in the wilderness range from meat such as frogs and crayfish to plants and fruit. Raccoons have easy pickings of similar delicacies in urban areas through garbage cans and home gardens. This fast food option keeps raccoons in neighborhoods longer, which leads to raccoon homes and nests in home attics.
  
  

Live Trap

• A homemade live trap is a safe way to catch and remove a raccoon from your property, which prevents the possible spread of rabies and protects your backyard garden. A live trap for raccoons is approximately 36 inches long, 12 inches high and 12 inches wide, and made almost entirely of wood. Cover one end with strong wire mesh and leave the other end open with one side panel slightly shorter than the rest to accommodate the trapdoor. The mesh siding helps bait smell permeate the surrounding atmosphere. A notched trip stick releases the trapdoor when the raccoon brushes past it toward the bait.
  
  

Trap Placement

• Raccoons are skittish around humans, especially those that are not accustomed to seeing humans in parks or recreational areas. Therefore, place the live raccoon trap in a concealed, cozy area either on the ground or suspended about 18 inches high so the raccoon senses the area is undisturbed. Raccoons are smart animals and have figured out how to open garbage cans, so they will find the live trap entrance no matter which way it is positioned. Avoid placing the trap's wire mesh side against anything so the bait's odor can reach the air and travel to lure in the raccoon.
  
  

Considerations

• Call a local pest control or wildlife management company to obtain control of the raccoon and release it in a more appropriate environment. Wear thick protective gloves if you have to handle the cage before the removal party arrives, to protect your skin from contact with raccoon feces and urine. A homemade live trap for raccoons does not have as secure a trapdoor as many store-bought live traps, so avoid shifting the trapdoor.