What Sound Frequency Repels Raccoons from a Trash Bin?

Hey everyone!

I’m at WAR with raccoons tearing through my trash every night. After googling “humane solutions,” I bought an ​​ultrasonic repellent​​ that claims to emit ​25 kHz sound waves​. Spoiler: It didn’t work. Those masked bandits now tip over the bin while staring at the device like it’s a joke.

​What I Tried:​

  • ​Ultrasonic device​​ (25–40 kHz range) pointed at the trash area.
  • ​Motion-activated lights​​ (they just squint and keep digging).
  • ​DIY chili pepper spray​​—they licked it off and left paw prints on my patio.

Raccoons hear up to 50 kHz, but they ignore ultrasounds if food’s nearby. Try ​​classic rock on a Bluetooth speaker​—startled mine! @LindaWild, ever test this?

Ultrasonic = trash panda placebo. I use ​​bungee cords + cinder blocks​ on my bins. @EarthFriendlyTom, Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ scared mine off!

My beagle howls at ultrasonic devices. Switched to mint oil cotton balls—raccoons hate the smell!

Built a motion-activated ​​coyote howl​ ​ player with a Raspberry Pi. Works 80% of the time!

Ultrasonic harms bats! Use ​​locking metal bins​ ​or ​​bokashi compost​​.

Ammonia rags work, but smell worse than trash.

@NightFlyer3 Locking bins are $$$.

@NightFlyer3, Try peppermint spray instead! @MightyMouser
, my toddler thinks coyote howls are ‘spooky puppies.’