How to keep racoon from pooping in my garden?

[Moniksca]

We've just moved into a new house, and we've noticed that an animal has been visiting our garden and pooping in it.

After some research, it appears to be a raccoon. The poop is near my compost, which I will have to stop adding to until this is resolved. It poops all over the garden and now onto the grass.

How do I keep it out. I'm worried about what disease/worms it may have with the kids in the yard.

I hope to get planting soon so would eventually like to eat from my garden.

[Pawz4me]

Maybe try a motion activated sprinkler?

[Lisa in Jax]

Maybe try a motion activated sprinkler?

 

I definitely need to get some rest. I read "Maybe try a motivational speaker?"

 

:lol:

[ChocolateReignRemix]

No clue but I love the thread title.

[flyingiguana]

Raccoon feces can be deadly if the animal is carrying certain worms:

"Recently, however, raccoons have been recognized as the main host for an even more dangerous parasite called Baylisascaris procyonis. This is a disgusting roundworm that can cause extremely serious disease conditions in humans.

 

Indeed, for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, as well as those with compromised immune systems, exposure to this roundworm can be fatal.

 

Most exposure occurs when humans have direct or indirect contact with raccoon droppings, which can contain millions of roundworm eggs. Although the roundworms themselves can survive only inside an animal host, their eggs are extremely tough and can remain viable for years in soil, sand or even water. Thus, people can come into contact with old and decomposed raccoon droppings without realizing it."

from http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/homegarden/article/Ann-s-Organic-Garden-Cleaning-up-raccoon-1184498.php

 

[amyable]

We had a the same problem and had luck placing a ton of sticks around the unplanted areas...tossed willy-nilly so they are sticking up and awkward to walk on. That won't keep them off your grass, but it seemed to dissuade our invader from walking around the garden and using it as his bathroom.

[Luanne]

I don't have an answer for you. I just wanted to say that you never know what kind of things are going to be posted on here. That does sound like an annoying problem though.

[Guest]

We had a cat (I'm guessing) that just kept pooping in our yard. In the flower bed, the lawn, everywhere. I never found out how to get rid of it, but I've heard motion activated sprinklers work. We wound up moving... not for that reason, but it was a benefit.

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

Have the males in your house pee on the ground near the compost bin, morning urine is especially pungent. It should deter most kinds of vermin, including raccoons.

 

 

*If you have picky neighbor's make sure they wait until after dark to go pee :)

[Moniksca]

I think the motion activated sprinkler is out of my budget for now, I will try the sticks though.

I told the hubby that he will need to go mark his territory and the boys were quite ecstatic about it.

My compost is enclosed, it's in black bin with a lid so inaccessible but I think the smell is attracting them.

Will dog pee work because we have a dog?

 

I read about the roundworms and that's what freaked me out.

 

I love this forum, because I can always find an answer to my problems, no matter what topic it is about.

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

I think the motion activated sprinkler is out of my budget for now, I will try the sticks though.

I told the hubby that he will need to go mark his territory and the boys were quite ecstatic about it.

My compost is enclosed, it's in black bin with a lid so inaccessible but I think the smell is attracting them.

Will dog pee work because we have a dog?

 

I love this forum, because you I can always find an answer to my problems, no matter what topic it is about.

 

My boys love permission to pee outside. :lol:

 

Dog pee will help too, also if you are motivated enough you can crumble and spread dry dog poo around areas to keep vermin out as well. Cat poop works too. Our vet recommended spreading cat poop around the outside of our foundation to help keep mice away.