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No matter where you live, you probably share your general area with raccoons. That’s why it’s helpful to know the best bait for raccoon traps. These animals might look cute, but if you’ve ever had to deal with them rooting through your trash or making noises in your attic, you know they’re anything but.When you’re dealing with a raccoon that’s destroying your property, the only effective method of removing them is, well, actually removing them. Trapping raccoons and relocating them is the safest and most humane way of solving your problem. You should always seek assistance from a local raccoon removal company to avoid trapping them yourself.
What to Know About Trapping Raccoons
Photo: christiannafzger / Stock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Before you set our bait to catch a raccoon, consider these helpful facts about them:
Raccoons are nocturnal, so you’ll want to set a trap by late afternoon and then clear the area so they don’t catch a whiff of your scent.
Raccoons are omnivores, which means they eat anything: plants, meat, fruit, paper— nothing’s off-limits.
While raccoons will munch on whatever they can find, they have preferences, with fatty foods and sweets topping their list.
Now that you know more about how these animals operate, use the list of the best baits for raccoons to help catch these pesky vermin and send them packing.
1. Marshmallows
It’s not uncommon for raccoons to raid bird nests and hen houses to find fresh eggs. When you bait with large, fluffy marshmallows, you’ll have raccoons thinking they’ve stumbled upon unguarded eggs. Of course, once they get closer, the sweet fragrance of this confectionary treat will lure them closer.
2. Egg
Obviously, if eggs are what raccoons hunt for in the wild, they’re also perfect for trapping them. When baiting racoons with eggs, all you need is one fresh, uncooked egg.
3. Sweet Corn
Though corn is a vegetable (legume, actually), it’s a sweet one, which appeals to raccoons. At the same time, corn doesn’t attract other animals that may be walking around at night, such as cats and skunks, so you’re more likely to snag the right pest.
4. Watermelon
Watermelon is sweet and fragrant, and its bright red color is something that raccoons can spot from afar, even at night. And like corn, it’s not a food that other animals will be interested in (well, except flies, but raccoons don’t mind sharing).
5. Wet Cat Food
Wet cat food is relatively fatty, and it’s also quite pungent, so it’s something that raccoons will notice as soon as they come out. While raccoons can’t resist the smell of cat food, the same goes for other animals—especially, you guessed it, cats. For this reason, it’s best to bait with cat food when your trap is in a more isolated location, such as your attic.
6. Tuna
Don’t have a cat? You can still appeal to a raccoon’s desire for stinky, fatty food by using canned tuna. As with cat food, this one might attract other creatures, too, so use it carefully.
7. Bacon
For many people, when you say fatty, fragrant, and irresistible, the first thing that comes to mind is bacon. While not something that raccoons are likely to stumble across in the wild, it would probably be their favorite food if they did. Don’t hesitate to leave the bacon grease out, too, to really have a raccoon licking its chops.
8. Kitchen Scraps
If raccoons are tearing apart your garbage for their feast, give them what they want—namely, the old food scraps that you’ve been accumulating for the last week. Collect your potato skins, chicken bones, and apple cores in a plastic container or bag for a few days, and then set them out when you’re ready to trap your raccoon.
9. Honey
If you want to increase the chances that your neighborhood raccoon will go for your bait of choice, whether it be marshmallows, cat food, or bacon, drizzle a little honey over it. Remember, raccoons love sweets, so the double-shot of yumminess might be just what you need to entice them into the trap.
10. Tin Foil
You might be surprised to see tin foil on a list of the best raccoon baits, but hear us out: Raccoons are very curious creatures. When they see the glistening of a ball of tin foil, they may not be able to resist checking it out. Of course, they’ll learn soon enough that they can’t eat it, but they’ll already be trapped.
How to Set a Live Trap for Raccoons
Photo: The Toidi / Adobe Stock
Even if you’re gearing up and learning how to get rid of raccoons, take a few steps and precautions before setting a live trap. First, you’ll need to check with your local fish and wildlife office. Many local laws and regulations prohibit homeowners from setting live traps for raccoons. Once you have clearance, here’s how to set a live trap safely and effectively:
Purchase a sturdy steel live cage trap—you can ask your local fish and wildlife office for recommendations.
Wear gloves and long sleeves when setting up the trap so the raccoon can’t trace your scent.
Place the trap in a dark, flat, secluded area such as under a deck, in the attic, along a fence line, or near a wooded area.
Set the trap doors to the open position.
Place a weight on top of the trap, such as a brick, to prevent the raccoon from pushing the trap over.
Check the trap every morning and evening. Release any non-raccoon inhabitants.
Place the bait towards the back of the trap, behind the trip pan. The bait should be visible but not close so a raccoon can grab it and run.
Wear gloves and long sleeves to transport the trap to a safe area. Raccoons can transmit diseases through scratches and bites.
Relocate the raccoon to a safe, designated area at least five miles from your home.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
As stated above, you can only DIY this project if you have approval or licensure from your local fish and wildlife office. If you decide to trap a raccoon yourself, you’ll need to purchase a live trap for around $35 to $100, protective eyewear, gloves, cleaning equipment, and bait for the raccoon trap.
Otherwise, we recommend hiring a raccoon removal company near you. Your animal removal cost will run between $200 and $600—but it’s worth it. Trained, licensed wildlife removal experts have the knowledge and experience to safely and humanely trap, remove, and relocate raccoons. Plus, you won’t have to worry about contracting diseases such as rabies.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can get rid of raccoons quickly by making your home an undesirable place to live. Here are the best ways to get rid of raccoons fast:
Repair broken vents and screens leading to your home.
Seal open access points into your home. Many raccoons sneak in through the attic, roof, or chimney.
Trim trees and branches so raccoons don’t have easy access to your roof and chimney.
Thoroughly clean out garbage cans, remove all trash, and secure the bins.
Don’t keep food or water outside.
Add raccoon guards to outdoor bird feeders.
Clean up brush around your home—raccoons like to gather loose yard materials for bedding.
Although raccoons aren’t particularly picky regarding food, certain sounds, metals, and smells bother them. You can place these items around your home to keep raccoons away:
Place wire mesh screens around and underneath decks and porches to prevent raccoons from nesting.
Put metal sheeting around the edges of your roof or at the base of trees to deter raccoons from coming close.
Place a loud battery-operated radio near the raccoon’s den to keep them from nesting.
Keep a bowl of cider vinegar on your deck or porch.
Remove old raccoon scents by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting underneath porches and decks.
Raccoons are most active during the spring, summer, and fall and tend to hibernate during the winter. Raccoons are nocturnal, so they are most active and search for food at night, dusk, and dawn. However, they come out during the day, especially during the warm months, to find food. Also, raccoons must adjust their feeding schedules during birthing months (April and May) when caring for their young.
