How to Remove Raccoons in San Diego

Raccoons can quickly cause a nuisance to your home and property. As one of the most biologically diverse areas in the nation, San Diego is home to many raccoons. These masked bandits can sneak into your home through doggie doors, chimneys and other open areas and wreak serious havoc. In addition, they can spread dangerous diseases to members of your household, including rabies and distemper, along with parasites. Many pest control companies are available in San Diego that can remove the raccoons for you. If you want to remove them yourself, however, there are certain precautions you must take, as San Diego has rules regarding the removal of raccoons.

Trap

Natural camouflage

Bait

De-scenting spray

Purchase a humane trap from your hardware store or obtain one from an animal rescue. Humane traps allow raccoons to come inside, but not get out. Most traps look like cages with small openings throughout the container, which provide air and viewing areas for the raccoon.

Place the trap in an area that raccoons come in contact with. For instance, if a raccoon is frequenting your koi pond, place it there.

Set sticks, leaves and other natural camouflage on top of the trap to disguise it as best you can. Place leaves on the bottom of the trap, as well. Some raccoons will become weary of the way the bars on the bottom of the trap feel against their skin and will run away before getting caught in the trap. The leaves help to mask that odd sensation.

Place food to use as bait inside the trap. Offer your raccoon chicken, beef, poultry or lunchmeat.

Apply de-scenting spray to the trap. This type of product removes your scent from the trap. If the raccoon smells you on the trap, it will likely be too cautious to enter. De-scenting spray is available at most hunting stores.

Check on the trap the next morning. If you have captured a raccoon, you will need to release it elsewhere. It is illegal in San Diego to relocate a raccoon; therefore, you need to let the raccoon go nearby.

Drive to your selected nearby spot and open the trap door. Stand back and allow the raccoon to leave your trap.

Call a wildlife pest removal company to release the raccoon if you do not feel comfortable doing so. In addition, consider using this approach if you do not wish to trap the raccoon yourself.

Since you must release the raccoon from the trap close to where you obtained it, the animal will likely come back to your home unless you make your habitat undesirable. To prevent the raccoons from coming back, always keep your garbage cans tightly sealed and clean up any trash in your yard. Close off any entryways into your home and trim branches that allow access to your home. Place ammonia-soaked rags around your yard and sprinkle cayenne pepper on the ground to discourage the raccoon from digging.

Call your local Department of Natural Resources to determine which areas are best to release the captured raccoon.

Setting up traps creates the potential to capture other animals, in addition to the raccoon. Coyotes, fox, skunks and possums can also enter the trap. Be prepared to encounter and have to release other animals besides raccoons when using traps. Consider calling a pest-removal company to perform the release if you do not wish to do it yourself.