5 Sounds That Will Scare Raccoons Away From Your Yard

Many homeowners are searching for human methods of removing raccoons from their property. It’s a puzzle because raccoons are adaptable creatures who can persistently get what they want. One thing is certain: different sounds scare raccoons away. 

If you’re pondering how to keep raccoons away from your yard, loud noises may be one of your best bets to temporarily scare them off, especially if they’re passing by. However, there might be better long-term solutions than relying solely on this method, as it could annoy your neighbors more than the raccoons themselves.

What Are Raccoons Most Scared Of?

According to a scientist from the University of Victoria, Justin Suraci, Ph. D., discovered that whenever he plays predator sounds in areas that raccoons always visit, He noticed that they were always scared, and the predator sound was a barking dog; any raccoon that heard the sound would flee immediately.

Raccoons can stay away from that area for a long time as long as the sound remains. In other words, every area depleted by raccoons will gradually be replenished. In a nutshell, raccoons are scared of predators like dogs.

Also, what a raccoon’s enemy is. These enemies can be used to get rid of them from your yard. Some of the raccoon predators include bobcats, cougars, and coyotes. Also, the young raccoons can be preyed upon by large owls and eagles.

Does Noise Scare Raccoons?

As a homeowner or wildlife enthusiast who wants to know if noise scares raccoons, the simple answer is Yes: noise can make raccoons. Another amazing thing is that some wild animals are also sensitive to sound and will always feel uncomfortable when there are many noises.

One thing that happens to raccoons whenever they hear any sound is that they feel unsafe and threatened with danger, and because of this, they leave where they are foraging for food and other suitable places.

Sounds That Scare Raccoons Away

Raccoons are known to be naughty and can become a great nuisance in the human habitat. Many homeowners seek ways to remove them from their property or yard. There are different ways to scare raccoons away, and one of them is through noises.

As much as they are smart animals, making some sounds will scare raccoons away, and below are some sounds that have proven to scare raccoons, though some of them also have disadvantages.

1. Make Use Of Radio Sound

In rural regions, human sounds have a way of scaring raccoons. You can use a radio and leave it outside in your yard all night to prevent it from coming into your yard. A loud enough sound to frighten off raccoons without being so loud as to keep you up all night would be hard to find. 

Furthermore, it would not have an impact because raccoons in urban areas are accustomed to human noise. In addition to loud sounds, you can clap your hands very loudly, signaling that the area is unsafe for them and that they will find another habitat.

2. Making Sound With Pots And Pans

Pots and pans produce a loud clanging sound when struck together or with a wooden spoon, which will likely scare away any wild creatures, including raccoons, from your yard. Though your neighbors will not think the sound is gunfire, it could irritate them. Remember that prolonged exposure to loud noises may cause hearing impairments.

3. Shouting

Your vocal cords are one of the instruments nature has given you to scare off raccoons by using them to make sounds. You can scare the raccoons away from a safe distance by ensuring your sound has some angry tone, like yelling. The loudness and aggression in the sound will make them believe that the environment is unsafe for them to stay and retreat. 

Raccoons would most likely return to the yard to examine once things are calm and can’t hear the sound again. It would not be very ideal to spend the entire night standing in your yard screaming and shouting, as it might also cause harm to your vocal cords. In addition, you can use whistles to make sharp, high-pitched sounds; it can scare them away because such sounds make them feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

4. Motion-Activated Devices With Speakers

Like motion-activated lights or sprinklers can be used to eliminate raccoons, activated noise systems also startle them away from your yard or property. Raccoons may feel safe in familiar surroundings, so using this strategy can help you discourage them from coming back later. 

Raccoons are intelligent animals, though, and they might come back if they determine the sound is not dangerous. You can place these devices strategically around the places they always stay, like the garbage bins, garden beds, and every entry point.

5. Use Wind Chimes

When you agitate, the wind chimes through the passing of air and produces sounds simultaneously; it makes raccoons scared. One thing you should know is that wind chimes are not irritating to humans but can cause irritation to animals like raccoons. Note that for it to produce the result you want, you will have to move the wind chimes around your yard often to keep raccoons. This will help you to stop them from adapting to the environment.

As much as sound is one of the most powerful tools to send raccoons away from your house, it is important to consider the long-term of this method. Ask yourself, how can you keep its effectiveness and keep up with the stress? As we have established, raccoons are smart, and you may need more than this method to give you the desired result for a long time or permanently.

Consider using other methods aside from sounds to scare raccoons away, like keeping your garbage bins, removing food sources from their reach, and blocking every entry point. These and more will help you create a powerful way to manage the activities of raccoons in your yard and give you peace of mind.