Hey everyone,
I’ve been getting surprise visitors lately — raccoons keep rummaging through my trash and digging around the garden. I don’t want to harm them, just want them to stop coming back.
I’ve seen advice about motion lights, sprinklers, and even smells like vinegar or peppermint oil. Hard to tell what’s actually effective or just internet talk.
Curious — what’s worked for you all? Do raccoons really learn to ignore deterrents after a while?
I had the same problem last spring. The motion lights helped at first, but they got used to them fast. What finally worked for me was cleaning up all outdoor food smells — even pet bowls. Once there was nothing left to sniff, they moved on.
Check your fence too. I didn’t realize raccoons could climb so easily until I caught one on camera scaling it like a cat. Added a slick metal barrier on top, and they’ve stayed out ever since.
Tightening up trash lids made a huge difference for me. I used simple clips to keep them shut, and now they can’t open them anymore. Before that, it was like a nightly buffet out there.
@FenceFixer is right, these guys are sneaky climbers. I also wrapped the base of my bird feeder pole with smooth plastic. No grip = no raccoons.
I installed a motion sprinkler, and it scared the life out of them the first time. 
It’s harmless but super effective. Took about a week for them to stop showing up altogether.
Totally agree with @PorchLightsOn. Those motion setups work wonders. I also pick ripe veggies early now, leaving them out overnight is like sending an invite to raccoons and opossums both.
Has anyone tried sound deterrents? I used one for a while, and it worked for a few nights, but they figured out it wasn’t a real threat. Guess they’re smarter than I thought.
Yeah, @QuietNeighbor, I had the same issue. They’re quick learners. Rotating between light and scent deterrents every few weeks seems to help though. Keeps them guessing.
Raccoons are cute until they start knocking over everything you own. I’ve found that consistency is the secret — keep trash sealed, garden tidy, and sprinklers active. Eventually, they’ll give up and move on.