Raccoons -

[Moxie]

We have a family of raccoons that keep coming around. Tonight at 11:00 they started ripping at my screen door trying to get at my cat. I scared them off and they came back around 2 am or so. They have completely trashed the screen door.

Good thing I had the glass door shut or they would be in my house. For some reason they are fascinated with my cat. I have no idea why as she is an indoor cat only. Attempts to trap have been unsuccessful.

Anyone have any (legal) ideas?

[Krakenn]

Yeah, you need a Tasmanian Devil.
Problemo solved!

Kraks

[DUnder]

A good flashlight and a high power air gun should take care of the problem. Do you live in town? You could call animal control they should be able to help you.

[JahJahwarrior]

Solution

[the gooch]

Originally Posted by JahJahwarrior

Solution

That is nasty, but effective.

[loudgonzo]

make friends with The Clampetts...(beverly hillbillies)

[awap]

I've had good luck live trapping them with a trap similar to these: http://www.victorpest.com/canada/traps.asp The traps was about $80 but has been doing the job for about 5 years now. At first I tried relocating them (which is illeagle in many places) but even with 10 mile trips some seemed to recognise me. Now it's off to the compost pile. Canned sardines are my normal bait. But if you get a wise one, it may take a better bait (like shrimp) and an inovative trigger to get them. This year I actually got a lot of fruit from my trees.

[Moxie]

Love everyone's solutions. They had me up at 11, 2 and 4. Pest control won't take them off your property - what kind of garbage is that???? The traps are going up again tonight. I'm using my cat as bait. Well putting the traps by where she looks out the window anyway. If I get one I'll post pics.

[Moxie]

Originally Posted by awap

I've had good luck live trapping them with a trap similar to these: http://www.victorpest.com/canada/traps.asp The traps was about $80 but has been doing the job for about 5 years now. At first I tried relocating them (which is illeagle in many places) but even with 10 mile trips some seemed to recognise me. Now it's off to the compost pile. Canned sardines are my normal bait. But if you get a wise one, it may take a better bait (like shrimp) and an inovative trigger to get them. This year I actually got a lot of fruit from my trees.

Momma's babies were caught last year and we have got one of four this year. She is pretty smart now and avoiding the trap. There were lobster heads in it too.

We think she might be keeping them under the deck so we shall be also trying to place traps there. Hope no cats come around in the middle of the night!

[WaterRat]

I never knew how good they were at jumping. I saw one a couple of days ago leap about 4 foot in the air, grabbed onto a slick metal gate to get in a dumpster.

Ron