Raccoons are persistent, intelligent pests that are well-known for ruining bird feeders. In a hurry, here’s a simple fix: attach a pole with a predator deterrent, stay away from maize, and utilize baffles. Continue reading for a comprehensive tutorial on compassionate, natural ways to outwit raccoons.
This blog post will teach you about landscaping ideas, feeder changes, raccoon behavior, and deterrents that help teach raccoons to move on.
Knowing How Raccoons Behave
It’s well known that raccoons are naughty animals who like rooting through garbage cans. To the annoyance of bird aficionados, they are also known for breaking into bird feeders. Knowing how raccoons behave and what draws them in the first place can help you keep them away from your bird feeders.
Nighttime Gatherers
Since they are mostly nocturnal creatures, raccoons are most active at night. This is significant because it helps you determine when your bird feeders will be most targeted by them.
If your bird feeders are often empty in the morning, it’s a certain sign that raccoons have been chowing down on the seeds and suet throughout the night. You may take steps to stop raccoons from getting to your feeders during their active hours by keeping in mind their nocturnal habits.
Both dexterity and intelligence
Rabidly clever animals, raccoons are very skilled with their hands. They are renowned for their aptitude for solving puzzles and their dexterity in handling items. Because of their ability to get past basic locks or obstacles, it is difficult to keep them away from bird feeders.
The feeder pole may be protected against raccoons by installing a baffle or protection in the form of a cone. Since raccoons are unable to squeeze through small openings or climb upside down, these barriers may be highly successful.
But, it’s crucial to make sure the baffle is placed high enough to prevent raccoons from jumping or climbing to access the feeder if it’s too near to the ground.
Purchasing a squirrel-proof bird feeder, which is designed to keep away raccoons and other bigger creatures in addition to squirrels, is an additional choice. To keep raccoons from getting to the food, these feeders often include mechanisms that shut off the feeding ports when a certain amount of weight is applied.
Remember that raccoons are tenacious animals, so figuring out the best technique to keep them away from your bird feeders may need some trial and error. If a certain strategy doesn’t work out the first time, don’t give up; keep trying until you discover the best deterrent for your particular circumstance.
Picking Pole Baffles for Raccoon-Proof Feeders
Because raccoons are intelligent and nimble animals, it’s critical to choose the appropriate bird feeder to deter them. The installation of pole baffles is one practical solution. These are devices in the form of a dome that are mounted on the pole that holds the bird feeder.
Raccoons find it challenging to scale the baffle’s slippery surface in order to get to the bird feeder. It keeps them from getting to the meal by acting as a barrier. Because they are very efficient at repelling raccoons and are simple to install, pole baffles are a favorite option among bird lovers.
They may be bought online or in neighborhood gardening shops, and they come in a variety of sizes.
For those wishing to buy a pole baffle, BirdsForever.com provides a great selection. They have a large selection of pole baffles made especially to deter raccoons from approaching bird feeders. Customers have given their goods excellent ratings, and they have successfully stopped raccoon incursions.
Tubing or Cage Feeders
Using cage or tube feeders is another practical approach to keep raccoons away from bird feeders. These feeders are made of tiny apertures that keep bigger creatures, such raccoons, out of the food and only let birds use them.
A wire mesh surrounds cage feeders, letting birds come in and feed while keeping raccoons out. In contrast, the tiny feeding openings on tube feeders are too small for raccoons to fit their paws through.
A cage or tube feeder with strong materials and safe locking mechanisms is what you should search for. Raccoons have been seen attempting to open feeders with their teeth or by prying them open.
Purchasing a superior feeder will guarantee its longevity and efficacy in deterring raccoons. For a huge assortment of feeders that are impervious to raccoons, see Wild Birds Unlimited. They provide a selection of choices made to resist raccoon efforts to get at the bird food.
Steer Clear of Raccoon-Favorite Foods
The capacity of raccoons to plunder bird feeders in quest of a good meal is well-known. It’s crucial to steer clear of meals that raccoons find especially alluring if you want to keep these cunning animals away from your feeders.
Take out the corn and nuts.
Since maize and nuts are highly preferred by raccoons, it is essential to keep these things out of your bird feeders. Raccoons are drawn to corn in particular, and it won’t take long for them to visit your yard. Choose birdseed mixtures without corn or nuts instead.
This will guarantee that the food is kept for your feathery friends and help ward off raccoons.
Make use of spicy peppers
Using spicy peppers is another great strategy to deter raccoons from coming near your bird feeders. Since raccoons don’t enjoy spicy food, you may effectively prevent them by mixing cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes with your birdseed.
To guarantee that the flavor is dispersed equally, thoroughly combine the pepper flakes with the bird seed. Because they are unaffected by the spicy taste, birds may safely use this strategy.
Furthermore, if you also have a squirrel issue, you may want to use bird feeders that are squirrel-proof, meaning they are made especially so that raccoons and squirrels cannot get to the food. These feeders often include features to keep intruders out, including weight-activated perches or cages.
Recall that the best defense against raccoons damaging your bird feeders is prevention. You may make your surroundings more bird-friendly and repellent to raccoons by eliminating items that they like and utilizing deterrents like spicy peppers.
Placement of Feeders Strategically
The positioning of bird feeders is crucial in preventing raccoons from using them. You may deter raccoons from using your bird feeders by strategically placing and designing them.
slick poles
Using slippery poles for your bird feeders is one efficient way. Although raccoons are skilled climbers, they have trouble climbing slick surfaces. This may be accomplished by utilizing a smooth-surfaced PVC pipe or by covering the pipe with petroleum jelly.
You may prevent raccoons from getting to the bird feeder by making it tough for them to hold onto the pole.
Installing a baffle—a cone-shaped object that may be positioned underneath the bird feeder—is an additional option. Raccoons find it challenging to scale the baffle’s flat surface in order to reach the feeder.
Ensure that the baffle is placed such that raccoons cannot reach it and leap onto the feeder from above.
Clear, Visible Spaces
Raccoons may also be discouraged by keeping your bird feeder in an open, conspicuous location. Because they feel protected from predators in isolated locations, raccoons prefer to forage there. The feeder is more exposed and less enticing to raccoons when it is placed in an open location.
If they see themselves as being in danger, they are not as inclined to approach the feeder.
Furthermore, by positioning the feeder far from any buildings or trees, raccoons will be deterred from utilizing them as launching pads to reach the feeder. If at all feasible, situate the feeder on a tall, robust pole that is difficult to climb.
Keep in mind that raccoons are clever and smart animals, so figuring out where to put your bird feeder will probably need some trial and error. The appropriate course of action will become clear to you as you watch their conduct and make the required corrections.
Employing Repellents
Predator Pee
Predator urine is one practical approach to deter raccoons from visiting bird feeders. Being wary creatures, raccoons often stay away from locations where they may smell predators. You may buy urine from predators, such foxes or coyotes, online or from shops that specialize in wildlife management.
You may build a natural deterrent to help keep raccoons away from your bird feeders by depositing the urine in strategic locations nearby. Predator urine is quite effective, but it must be reapplied often to stay that way.
Thus, be sure to adhere to the manufacturer’s directions.
Sprinklers with Motion Activation
Putting motion-activated sprinklers on your bird feeders is another good approach to keep raccoons away. These gadgets include motion-activated sensors that identify when animals are around and trigger a sprinkler system to shoot water in the direction of the trespasser.
Sudden splashes of water usually scare raccoons, who rapidly learn to avoid the area. Motion-activated sprinklers are simple to install in your garden or next to your bird feeders, and they are safe for both people and animals.
Additionally, they are movable, so you may alter the motion sensor’s sensitivity and range to suit your own requirements.
Remember that raccoons are sentient animals and may get acclimated to particular repellents over time when applying repellents. To boost their efficacy and keep the raccoons guessing, it is thus advised to alternate between several repellant kinds or combine numerous approaches.
Furthermore, because spilled seeds and food scraps may attract raccoons and other undesirable creatures, it’s a good idea to clean your bird feeders on a regular basis.
Nighttime Discouragements
The use of nocturnal deterrents may be quite successful in preventing raccoons from using bird feeders. Since raccoons are typically nocturnal animals, you may deter them from using your bird feeders by focusing your efforts throughout the night.
Makers of noise
A fantastic strategy to keep raccoons away from your bird feeders at night is to use noisemakers. Think of using gadgets that make loud noises or burst into action when activated. Raccoons may get alarmed by this and reconsider visiting your feeders.
The market offers a variety of solutions, including ultrasonic repellents, wind chimes, and motion-activated gadgets. Additionally helpful as a deterrent are motion-activated sprinklers, which shoot water at approaching animals.
This keeps the raccoons away from your bird feeders and also keeps them dry.
Lamps
A good way to keep raccoons away at night is to use lights around your bird feeders. Raccoons are renowned for being wary and timid creatures that avoid brightly illuminated settings. You may make your feeding area unappealing and unpleasant for raccoons by placing motion-activated lights close by.
For this reason, LED lights are a common option since they are long-lasting and energy-efficient. Raccoons will be confronted with a rapid blast of light when they approach the area since these lights can be programmed to switch on when they sense activity.
They may get alarmed by this sudden revelation and become discouraged about returning.
It’s crucial to remember that, even though they may be successful, nocturnal deterrents could not completely stop raccoon behavior. Being clever creatures, raccoons may eventually adjust to different deterrents. To achieve maximum efficacy, it is thus advisable to use a mix of tactics.
Final Thoughts
After they have established a nest at a feeder, raccoons are very intelligent and challenging to remove. However, you may recover your bird buffet with the correct tools, such as baffle-protected poles and cage feeders, as well as judicious use of repellents. As raccoon activity peaks at twilight and morning, use caution.
You may take pleasure in a feeding station free of raccoons with a little perseverance and cunning.
