How to Catch a Raccoon in a Trap - A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Catch a Raccoon in a Trap: A Step-by-Step Guide

Raccoons may look cute, but they can cause serious problems for homeowners and businesses. From searching through trash bins and destroying gardens to nesting in attics, they often leave a mess and property damage. Raccoons can also carry diseases like rabies and leptospirosis, posing health risks to humans and pets, making it essential to address their presence promptly.

Humane and safe trapping is the best way to deal with raccoons while ensuring their welfare. This blog will guide you through catching a raccoon in a trap. If you prefer professional help, Pestong, with over 18 years of experience, specialises in humane raccoon removal and ensures the problem is solved effectively and ethically.

Why You May Need to Catch a Raccoon

Why You May Need to Catch a Raccoon

Raccoons are highly intelligent and resourceful animals, but their presence on your property can lead to significant damage. They often tear apart garbage bags and knock over bins in search of food, creating a mess and attracting other pests. Raccoons are also known to damage gardens by digging up plants and crops, and they can chew through insulation, wiring, and wood when nesting in attics or crawl spaces, leading to costly repairs.

Beyond property damage, raccoons pose health risks to humans and pets. They are carriers of diseases like rabies, leptospirosis, and raccoon roundworms, which can spread through contact with their feces, saliva, or bites. If not addressed promptly, these diseases can be serious and sometimes life-threatening.

Their nocturnal habits and adaptability make them a persistent nuisance, whether tearing through trash, damaging property, or posing health concerns. Humane trapping is a necessary solution to restore safety and order to your property.

Preparing to Trap a Raccoon

Know the Laws

Before attempting to trap a raccoon, checking Canada’s wildlife regulations is essential. Laws regarding raccoon trapping can vary depending on your location, and compliance may result in fines or penalties. Raccoons are protected under wildlife conservation laws in many areas of Canada, which outline how and when they can be trapped and relocated.

Humane trapping is not just a legal requirement but also an ethical responsibility. Using improper methods can cause unnecessary harm or stress to the animal, which is inhumane and often illegal. By understanding and following the guidelines, you can ensure that raccoons are handled safely and relocated in a way that complies with local laws. If you need clarification on the regulations or the trapping process, we can help you navigate these rules while ensuring safe and humane raccoon removal.

Right Trap to Catch the Raccoons

Right Trap to Catch the Raccoons

Selecting the right trap is crucial for safely and effectively catching a raccoon. The most recommended option is a live cage trap, which allows you to capture the raccoon without harming it. These traps are designed with a trigger mechanism that closes the door when the raccoon enters, ensuring the animal is contained safely until it can be relocated.

Size matters when choosing a trap. The ideal trap size for raccoons is at least 32 inches long, with enough space for the animal to enter comfortably. A sturdy and well-built trap is essential, as raccoons are strong and can attempt to escape.

Gather Necessary Supplies

Before setting the trap, gathering all the necessary supplies is important to increase your chances of success and ensure a smooth process.

  1. Bait: Raccoons are omnivores with a strong sense of smell, so choosing the right bait is key. Popular options include cat food, marshmallows, peanut butter, canned fish, or sweet fruits. Place the bait strategically toward the back of the trap to ensure the raccoon fully enters and triggers the mechanism.
  2. Gloves: Always wear gloves when handling the trap and bait to avoid leaving your human scent. Raccoons are cautious animals and may avoid the trap if they detect unfamiliar odours.
  3. Tools: Bring a flashlight to check on the trap, especially if placed in a dark or outdoor area. A trap cover (like a cloth) is also essential to calm the raccoon once caught, reducing stress and preventing it from seeing too much activity around it.

Steps to Catch a Raccoon in a Trap

Steps to Catch a Raccoon in a Trap

Step 1: Placement of the Trap

Proper placement of the trap is key to successfully catching a raccoon. Start by identifying areas where raccoons are most active, such as near overturned garbage bins, disturbed gardens, or inside attics and crawl spaces. Look for signs like raccoon tracks, droppings, or damaged property, as these indicate the paths they frequent.

Place the trap in these high-traffic areas, ideally near fences, walls, or structures where raccoons feel safer moving around. Once you’ve chosen the location, ensure the trap is on a level and stable surface to prevent it from wobbling or tipping over, which could scare the raccoon away or cause the trap to malfunction.

Step 2: Baiting the Trap

Choosing the right bait is crucial for successfully luring a raccoon into the trap. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders who prefer strong-smelling, sweet, and protein-rich foods. Effective bait options include cat food, canned fish, peanut butter, marshmallows, or sweet fruits, known to attract raccoons quickly.

Avoid using food that is too small or easy to grab outside the trap. Raccoons can be clever enough to snatch bait without triggering it. Position the bait strategically towards the back of the trap. This ensures the raccoon fully enters the trap and steps on the trigger plate, activating the door mechanism.

Step 3: Setting the Trap

Once you have chosen the location and baited the trap, the next step is to set the live cage trap safely and effectively. Start by carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions to prepare the trap for activation. Most live cage traps have a trigger plate that connects to the door mechanism. When the raccoon steps on the plate, it triggers the door to close, safely capturing the animal.

Before leaving the trap, double-check the trigger mechanism to ensure it works correctly. Test the trap by lightly tapping the trigger plate with a stick or tool to confirm the door closes smoothly. Ensure the trap is stable and nothing obstructs the mechanism. Properly setting the trap ensures it works as intended without harming the raccoon.

Step 4: Monitor the Trap

Once the trap is set, it is important to check it regularly, ideally every few hours. Raccoons are nocturnal, so they are most active at night, which increases your chances of catching one. Regular monitoring ensures that the raccoon is not left in the trap for an extended period, which can cause unnecessary stress, dehydration, or exposure to harsh weather conditions.

Leaving a raccoon trapped for too long can also cause it to become agitated or attempt to escape, potentially damaging the trap. Humane trapping involves safely capturing the animal and minimizing its discomfort.

Step 5: Handling the Captured Raccoon

Once a raccoon has been successfully captured, it’s crucial to handle the situation carefully to ensure both your safety and the animal’s well-being. Always wear protective gloves and avoid direct contact with the raccoon, as they can carry diseases like rabies or parasites that pose health risks. Even a calm raccoon can become aggressive if it feels threatened, so keeping your distance is essential.

Cover the trap with a cloth or tarp to reduce the raccoon’s stress. This calms the animal by limiting its visibility and exposure to outside activity, making the relocation process smoother. At this stage, calling professionals is the safest option. Our expert team of raccoon control specializes in safely handling and humanely relocating raccoons. By relying on our experience, you can avoid the risks associated with direct contact or improper relocation while ensuring compliance with local wildlife regulations.

Safety and Ethical Considerations

Humane trapping is essential to ensure their safety and well-being when dealing with raccoons. Live traps allow the animal to be captured without harm, and proper relocation ensures they are released into a suitable environment. It’s also important to avoid separating baby raccoons from their mothers, as this can leave the young vulnerable and helpless. Handling such situations responsibly is key to both ethical and legal compliance.

If you’re unsure about the process, calling our pest control professionals is the best solution. We specialize in safe and humane raccoon removal, minimizing stress for the raccoon and property owners. Our trained experts follow wildlife regulations and ensure the problem is handled efficiently and ethically, offering a reliable and worry-free solution to raccoon problems.

Conclusion

Successfully and humanely catching a raccoon involves careful planning, from choosing the right trap and bait to monitoring and handling the animal safely. Following ethical practices and prioritizing the raccoon’s well-being while addressing the issue is also important. If DIY methods seem challenging, our professional raccoon removal services offer a reliable, humane, and stress-free solution. With over 18 years of experience, Pestong ensures safe and effective removal, helping restore peace to your property. Contact us today for expert assistance!

About the Author: Shafqat Ali

Shafaqat Ali, with over 15 years in pest control, holds a Master of Science in Entomology and is certified in structural and termite control. His expertise ensures reliable, effective solutions tailored to each pest challenge, backed by decades of scientific knowledge and hands-on experience. Based in Ontario, Canada, he shares his extensive knowledge of local pests, offering valuable insights and helpful tips at Pestong to keep homes and businesses pest-free.

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