Hey everyone,
I could really use some advice. For the past couple of weeks, raccoons have been tearing up my lawn every single night. I wake up to overturned sod, scattered mulch, and little muddy paw prints everywhere. From what I’ve read, they’re probably digging for grubs, but I’d like to find a humane and lasting way to keep them out.
Hey @YardCareDad, I’ve been there! Raccoons were tearing up my backyard every night last summer. What finally worked was a motion-activated sprinkler. It startles them without hurting them, and they stopped showing up after a week or so.
Yep, they’re digging for grubs. If you treat your lawn with milky spore or nematodes, it kills the grub population naturally, and the raccoons will stop coming once the food source is gone. Worked like magic for me!
Please don’t use poison or traps, raccoons are smart but just hungry. I’ve had good luck sprinkling used coffee grounds and cayenne pepper around the garden. Smells awful to them but safe for pets.
If they’re really persistent, you might need a low electric fence (the type used for rabbits or raccoons). It’s harmless but gives them a shock that teaches them to stay out fast. Mine only needed to touch it once.
I set up a trail camera to see what was happening — turns out, it wasn’t just raccoons but also skunks. I installed solar motion lights near the fence and shed, and they all disappeared within days. They hate bright light.
If you’ve got pets, I’d stay away from ammonia or bleach-based deterrents. Try a commercial raccoon repellent instead, something made with essential oils. I use one with cinnamon and garlic extract, and it actually keeps them off my patio.
Secure your trash bins. Raccoons are motivated by smell, and even a little leftover food smell from garbage or compost will draw them right in.
I like combining strategies — grub control, motion lights, and a bit of citrus oil spray around the perimeter. It’s eco-friendly and smells nice for humans, terrible for raccoons. Haven’t seen one all year.
I actually enjoy watching raccoons… until they dig up my sod! 
I put down chicken wire just below the surface of the problem areas. They can’t dig through it, and after a few failed attempts, they gave up completely.
If you want a truly long-term fix, treat your lawn for grubs in early spring and again in fall. Once the bugs are gone, the raccoons lose interest. It’s not instant, but it’s the most natural and lasting solution.