What’s the Best Bait to Use to Catch Raccoons?
The absolute best bait to use when aiming to catch raccoons depends on the specific situation and raccoon preferences, but generally, sweet, high-calorie options like marshmallows, peanut butter, and fruit-flavored cereals are highly effective. These baits are irresistible to raccoons, drawing them into traps and increasing the chances of a successful catch.
Understanding Raccoon Bait Selection
Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores with a broad palate, meaning they’ll eat almost anything. However, some foods are more attractive than others, making them ideal for baiting traps. Understanding raccoon behavior and dietary preferences is key to selecting the best bait for your specific needs. This section delves into the nuances of bait selection and provides practical advice on luring these clever creatures.
Sweet Temptations: Why Raccoons Love Sugar
Raccoons have a notorious sweet tooth. Foods high in sugar content are often among the best baits.
- Marshmallows: These are a classic raccoon bait. Their sweetness and fluffy texture make them irresistible. They are also easy to handle and place in traps.
- Fruit-flavored cereals: The sugary coating and appealing aroma of cereals like Froot Loops or Lucky Charms are potent attractants.
- Jelly and Jam: These sugary spreads can be smeared inside the trap or on nearby surfaces to create a tempting trail.
Savory Delights: Appealing to the Raccoon’s Omnivorous Nature
While raccoons love sweets, they also enjoy savory and meaty flavors. Offering a combination of sweet and savory can significantly improve your chances.
- Peanut butter: A classic for a reason. Its strong aroma and high-fat content are incredibly appealing. Smear it on the trigger plate or inside the trap.
- Canned pet food: Wet cat or dog food, especially varieties with fish or poultry, are highly effective due to their strong scent.
- Greasy bacon: The smell of bacon cooking (or even just bacon grease) is a powerful attractant. Cooked bacon bits are perfect for baiting.
The Importance of Bait Placement and Presentation
Simply using the best bait isn’t enough. How you present the bait is also crucial for success.
- Placement: Position the bait deep inside the trap, forcing the raccoon to fully enter to reach it. Place some bait leading up to the trap to create a trail.
- Presentation: Secure the bait in a way that prevents the raccoon from easily grabbing it without triggering the trap. A small, shallow dish or secure skewer can work well. Avoid simply scattering bait around, as this can allow the raccoon to eat without getting caught.
- Scent: Use gloves when handling bait to minimize human scent transfer, which can deter raccoons. Consider adding a few drops of anise oil, a natural raccoon attractant, to the bait.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Baiting
Even with the best bait, some common mistakes can sabotage your trapping efforts.
- Overbaiting: Too much bait can satiate the raccoon without triggering the trap. Use a moderate amount that encourages them to fully enter.
- Using rotten or spoiled food: Raccoons are intelligent and often avoid rotten food. Always use fresh, high-quality bait.
- Failing to camouflage the trap: A shiny, obvious trap can scare raccoons away. Use natural materials like leaves and branches to conceal the trap.
- Neglecting scent control: Leaving human scent around the trap can deter raccoons. Wear gloves and clean the trap thoroughly before setting it.
Trap Selection and Preparation
While the bait attracts the raccoon, the trap is what ultimately captures it. Choosing the right trap and preparing it properly is essential for humane and effective trapping.
- Size: Select a trap that is large enough to comfortably hold the raccoon without causing injury. A trap that is too small will likely deter the raccoon.
- Type: Use a humane live trap, preferably one with a solid floor to prevent injury to the animal’s paws.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the trap before setting it to remove any lingering odors that might deter raccoons.
- Camouflage: Cover the trap with natural materials like leaves and branches to make it less conspicuous.
Ethical Considerations
Trapping and relocating raccoons should always be done ethically and in accordance with local regulations.
- Legality: Check your local laws and regulations regarding trapping and relocating wildlife. In many areas, permits are required.
- Humane treatment: Handle trapped raccoons with care to minimize stress and injury.
- Relocation: If relocation is permitted, release the raccoon in a suitable habitat that is far enough away from your property to prevent it from returning, but still provides access to food, water, and shelter. Contact local wildlife authorities for guidance on suitable relocation sites.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the best bait to use to catch raccoons if they are already used to eating out of my garbage cans?
In this case, mimicking their existing food source is your best bet. Use leftover scraps from your garbage, but select the most appealing items. Chicken bones, greasy leftovers, or even slightly stale bread can be effective. Combine these with a sweet element like a marshmallow to further entice them.
Is it better to use live bait or dead bait for raccoons?
Live bait is generally not recommended as it can be inhumane and may attract unwanted attention from other animals. Dead bait, such as canned pet food or cooked meat scraps, is a safer and more ethical option.
What’s the best time of year to trap raccoons?
The best time to trap raccoons is typically in the late fall and early winter. This is because their natural food sources become scarce, making them more susceptible to bait. Additionally, they are more active as they prepare for the colder months.
Can I use poison to get rid of raccoons?
Using poison is highly discouraged and often illegal. It is inhumane and poses a significant risk to other animals, including pets. Focus on humane trapping methods instead.
How often should I check the raccoon trap?
You should check the trap at least twice a day, ideally once in the morning and once in the evening. This ensures that the raccoon is not trapped for an extended period and allows you to release non-target animals promptly.
What do I do if I accidentally trap a different animal?
If you trap a non-target animal, immediately release it unharmed. If the animal appears injured, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center for assistance.
Should I wear gloves when handling raccoon bait and traps?
Yes, always wear gloves when handling raccoon bait and traps. This helps to minimize human scent transfer, which can deter raccoons. It also protects you from potential diseases and parasites.
How far away should I relocate a trapped raccoon?
Relocation distances vary depending on local regulations, but a minimum of 5-10 miles is generally recommended. This helps to prevent the raccoon from returning to your property. Be sure to choose a suitable habitat with access to food, water, and shelter.
Will raccoons return to my property even after I trap them?
Raccoons can be territorial and may attempt to return to their original territory. However, relocating them a significant distance and taking steps to eliminate attractants on your property can reduce the likelihood of them returning.
What are some natural raccoon repellents I can use to prevent them from coming back?
Several natural raccoon repellents can help deter them from returning. These include: motion-activated lights or sprinklers, strong odors like peppermint oil or cayenne pepper, and securing garbage cans with tight-fitting lids.
How long should I leave a raccoon trap set before giving up?
If you haven’t caught a raccoon within a week, it’s time to reassess your bait and trap placement. Try a different bait, move the trap to a new location, or camouflage it more effectively.
What are the signs that a raccoon is living on my property?
Common signs of raccoon activity include: overturned garbage cans, droppings in your yard or attic, damage to gardens or landscaping, and nocturnal noises such as scratching or rustling in the attic or chimney. Addressing these signs promptly can help prevent further damage and encourage the raccoons to move on.