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federal way WA

A raccoon has moved in under my shed. he hasnt messed with anything, has not into the garbage cans or the garden. I dont own any pets, and he is not hurting anything but Im worried that he may develop a liking to pumpkin flesh. I live on an acre surrounded by suburban trac homes and Im willing to live with him IF he leaves my pumpkins alone. Has any one had positive or negative experience with these critters? Is living with him the good tree hugger option or a bad gamble?

6/14/2008 1:10:45 AM

Colorado Springs.Co

I kind of like the little buggers myself, had a cute little guy coming around. Chased it off though I didn't want to risk it.

6/14/2008 1:37:19 AM

Simi valley, ca

There are many around here, I havent had any problems as of yet in my patch , But it does concern me, i think if i could chase them away i would , Except theres too many & iv given them a shot in the butt with bbs & they come back in couple hrs , good luck,

6/14/2008 2:05:18 AM

Ohio

Wait untill your pumpkin gets 500lbs mid season then tell us that he, or she, (with the babies under your shed you havnt seen yet) that they havnt bothered anything. lol. If it was me Id live trap it.

6/14/2008 4:14:55 AM

Well, a few words of advice with my experience. If you start using fish emulsion products on your plants you can almost count that they will begin to be dug up by the little raccoon. They think it's fish and they have torn up a few of my plants by doing that. So if you don't use fish products I think you will probably be alright. They seem to be harmless to the garden and they kill rabbits!

6/14/2008 8:06:55 AM

Minnesota

I've seen them destroy corn growing in my neighbors garden, I chase them away.

6/14/2008 11:20:27 AM

federal way WA

I use fish emulsion and never thought about the attraction for raccoons to seafood. excellent point. Its bye bye raccoon then. Thanks

6/14/2008 12:56:50 PM

Griffith, In

Raccoons will walk over your pumpkins and leave claw marks in them,,,They have also been known to bite chunks out of the flesh on the outside skin,,,TRAP IT AND RELOCATE IT !!!!!!!

6/14/2008 2:02:29 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Did ya see my diary?.......although it wasn't a reacoon....ya just never know...

6/14/2008 2:06:24 PM

Saegertown Pa.

Last year and the year before I had coons getting under the fence and scratching and biting the pumpkins
when they were around 10 days old. I had to go with the third and fourth set on two of the plants last year
before I could kill the coons. I would kill them and any thing else that doesn't belong in the garden.

6/14/2008 2:09:39 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

Coons are known for spreading rabies and distemper. They can be dangerous to any cats or dogs you have. They will tip over garbage cans and make a mess of anything they can get their grubby little paws on. You can try repellants: fox or couote urine works. Eledctric fences work. .22 birdshot shells will sting them and sometimes keeo them away. A .22 magnum hollowpint solves the problem for good.

6/14/2008 2:31:44 PM

I grew up on a "fishcamp resort" here in the northwoods, as a young boy it was my job to cleanup the dailey mess the coons made of the garbage,,,"killum all I say!"

oh,,,and please post pics after the deed is done ;-)

6/14/2008 3:07:59 PM

[email protected]

Unless you leave trash cans in the patch I wouldn't worry about them.

6/14/2008 8:47:42 PM

federal way WA

no has mentioned coyote urine as a deterrent. Thats the route I am thinking of going....encouraging them to move along and then placing more arond the perimiter of the patch.
Here is a link to the stuff Im considering
http://www.predatorpee.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LE&Category_Code=CU

6/14/2008 10:34:52 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Does pug urine work?

6/15/2008 12:53:15 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Jeff, I've used it and still do and works for awhile but you have to keep apply it over and over again. Racoons have a route that they take night after night so a few well placed drops might help but I am not convinced that it works.

If your area is like mine, the coyote uring might attract other coyotes and could result in one of them taking care of the racoons for you....just keep your other pets indoors.

(and lol at Dan)

6/15/2008 3:28:04 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Erin I think just a photo of Edgar would scare a racoon. Not that I don't think he is cute..It has to be a face only a pug owner could love.

6/16/2008 1:32:58 PM