What animal is pooping on my stuff???

[BillG_in_TX]

Bob,

Here's some information on cleaning up a raccoon "latrine".

And here's a raccoon repellent, and another method.

There's plenty more out there. Here's a Google search result.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks Bill
That is what I was talking about too. And using wood from my wood storage (about 30 cords when the coons discovered it as their 'latrine') that was layered in coon dung was not a pleasant task, keeping in mind there was probably some of the 'dust' on every stick of wood. Eventually it was all fired, but had to do a lot of handling in the meantime.

Again, I think the bleach I use disrupts their search for the 'latrine' area and they may not like the smell. I have had bleach work to keep mice from returning to an area to nest (such as the engine compartment on my lawn tractor!).

Amazing the availability of information on the net. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[LMTC]

Bob Skurka-- email me from the links on our website if you care to hear our tale and resolution. We routinely deal with 20-50/year.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Well here is how I will be resolving this problem.

A 2 PRONG ATTACK.

#1) I will get some of the spray REPELLANT to try to drive them away from the areas that I really don't want them. (My daughter's play area is tops on that list because they have really made a mess out of that).

#2) The other prong will be death. I don't like the idea of drowning them because that seems to me to be suffering. Shooting them is viable, and I don't oppose it, but it is distasteful to both my daughter and the lovely Mrs_Bob, who will certainly hear the crack fo the .223. So I will try posioning them. I have to guess that we are overrun with the critters so we may be facing a population explosion based on how much grief we are getting this year.

I generally don't like posion because it is non-selective, but used properly and monitored I think it is a viable solution to reduce the population. I think it is probably more humane than trapping & drowning, or trapping & shooting. Head shots also run the risk of spreading rabies so a chest shot is much preferred to cleanly kill them. So I will have one of the rifles at the ready, complete with some good hollowpoints to insure a quick kill. But the weapon of choice is going to be poisoned bait, and a shovel to clean up the bodies.

There are too many kids around, and too many pets in the area to risk a population overrun by the cute little masked critters, especially given the risk of rabies and disease. I don't want to eliminate them, but they apparently need to be thinned down. Just like I have to live in harmony with them, they have to LIVE IN HARMONY WITH ME and my family and the other neighbors. This year there is NO harmony! I'd prefer if the coyotes got them instead of me, but I will do what needs to be done.

I just want to thank all of you for helping me identify what the real problem was/is. Now I have the task of dealing with it.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Well the poison is set. I took care to place the bait in areas to minimize contact with non-raccoons.

Cubes of poison, each about 1" square, were placed in "cottage cheese" and similar size containers. Then a little coca-cola was added for some additional attractant in SOME of the bait stations. These bait stations were then nailed into trees, on posts, etc at positions that have them elevated so that dogs/coyotes can't get to them. Raccoons, possums and squirrels are at risk. They were placed in such a way as to surround the trouble spots that are frequented by the troublesome raccoons.

I don't like doing this, but given the possible disease ramifications of not dealing with them it seems like a reasonable course of action if the local population is expanding.

I will check the bait stations in the early morning to see if they were disturbed. Any bait found on the ground will be replaced or disposed of so no ground only feeding animals can find them accidently.

 

[MarkLeininger]

Bob,
One other thing I forgot to mention is that we electrify the area right around our chicken coop because we have so many predators, including raccoons, around. I've heard more than a few ungodly screeches in the night that I'm sure were some critter touching that wire. I don't know if that's practical for your setup, but at least around things like your kids play area or your patio you could put in temporary plastic stakes and run a wire about 6" off the ground. We run 3 wires, one just above the ground, one about 6" and one about 2 feet, but I think you only need one as a deterrent. It can't kill anything so it's safe, but nothing will ever come back once it touches that wire (including your kids). We already had the charger for the horses, but even if you have to buy one a low output model would only cost $50 bucks or so, and wire is next to nothing. You could probably make a decent setup around the yard for a few hundred dollars total.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Mark

I have electricity around the pool so I could put a fence there, but the play area is a good 100' or more away from the nearest electrical so it would be most practical to use a solar unit there??? The stone stairs and other areas probably couldn't be protected by electric wire, at least not an be attractive.

 

[rcaretti]

If the poison doesn't work out, you could always contact your state trappers association, maybe there is someone in your area willing to trap them. Probably have to wait until November though. The fur doesn't become prime until them, and it's not worth a trappers time until the raccoon has its winter coat.

 

[MossRoad]

Bob, I have a sokar charged fencer on our garden. One strand about a foot up and another at about 18". This is outside of an existing rabbit fence, so any animal that wants to climb the fence gets shocked. Anyway, it works well and keeps out the woodchucks. It will charge several miles of fence. I think I have about $200.00 wrapped up in the charger, insulated standoffs and the wire. This is all to guard $25.00 worth of vegetables. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Moss, the problem I have with the electric wire is that there is no barrier at all around the play area and stringing electric fence simply will be a visible eyesore and something else to mow around. The stone path that is being used as a pooping area is cut through the woods, there is no way to protect it with wire. The concrete stairs down near the pool cut through a small planter bed that has overhanging shrubs, again no real way to protect them, unless I circle the entire pool, pool house, stairs, and stone path and assume that no raccoons will enter the area via trees which all overhang about 1/3 of that area. I guess what I am saying is that electric wire might be practical in some areas but is not desireable in any area. Now if I put another garden in, then I would consider it for that area.