# How do we keep raccoons out of our yard without causing harm?
**URL:** https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609
**Category:** Larger Animals & Birds
**Created:** [January 19, 2026, 2:33am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609 "2026-01-19T02:33:22Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@GardenGnome77](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/GardenGnome77)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2026, 2:33am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609/1 "2026-01-19T02:33:22Z")
Hi folks,
I’m hoping to get some advice from people who’ve dealt with this before. Over the past few weeks, raccoons have been coming into our yard almost every night. They’re digging up the lawn and tipping over trash cans, but we really don’t want to hurt them. I’ve seen a lot of mixed suggestions online, and it’s hard to tell what actually works long term without causing harm.
What humane methods have worked for you, and what should we avoid doing altogether?
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### Author:  [@BugOffBro](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/BugOffBro)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2026, 2:36am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609/2 "2026-01-19T02:36:46Z")
First thing I’d check is food sources. Once we locked down our trash cans and stopped leaving pet food outside, the raccoons lost interest pretty fast. They’re smart but lazy.
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### Author:  [@HopefulHelen](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/HopefulHelen)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2026, 2:42am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609/3 "2026-01-19T02:42:03Z")
Motion-activated lights helped in our yard. It didn’t scare them forever, but it definitely reduced how often they came back.
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### Author:  [@ThermalTrailTheo](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/ThermalTrailTheo)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2026, 2:48am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609/4 "2026-01-19T02:48:59Z")
We tried scent deterrents like predator urine. Mixed results honestly. It worked for a couple weeks, then they seemed to ignore it.
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### Author:  [@CompassionateClaire](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/CompassionateClaire)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2026, 2:54am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609/5 "2026-01-19T02:54:47Z")
Glad you’re thinking humanely. Please avoid traps unless you know local wildlife laws. Relocation can actually be deadly for raccoons.
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### Author:  [@HomeHacker](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/HomeHacker)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609/6 "2026-01-19T03:06:01Z")
We installed a motion sprinkler system last summer. Surprisingly effective and harmless. After getting sprayed a few times, they stopped visiting.
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### Author:  [@MonitorMarc](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/MonitorMarc)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2026, 3:44am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609/7 "2026-01-19T03:44:41Z")
Quick question for @HomeHacker did you have issues with false triggers? I’m worried it’ll go off all night.
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### Author:  [@HomeHacker](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/HomeHacker)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2026, 3:52am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609/8 "2026-01-19T03:52:38Z")
@MonitorMarc Yeah, at first. Adjusting the sensitivity fixed most of it. Worth the setup time though.
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### Author:  [@SpraySafeSophie](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/SpraySafeSophie)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2026, 4:03am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609/9 "2026-01-19T04:03:36Z")
Strong smells like ammonia-soaked rags near entry points worked for us, but you have to refresh them often. It’s more of a short-term fix.
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### Author:  [@NightGuardNina](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/NightGuardNina)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2026, 4:08am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-do-we-keep-raccoons-out-of-our-yard-without-causing-harm/20609/10 "2026-01-19T04:08:56Z")
Fencing with a slight outward angle at the top helped keep them from climbing in. Not cheap, but very effective.