How to Keep Raccoons Away from Potted Plants

Raccoons are one of the most cunning and enterprising creatures that can wreak havoc on your potted plants overnight. They have an opportunistic nature and will stop at nothing to get to what they want, including digging up your tender and hard-earned plants. Fortunately, there are several ways you can keep raccoons away from your potted plants.

Choose the Right Pots

One way to keep raccoons away from your potted plants is to pick the right pots. Opt for heavy, ceramic or clay pots that raccoons will find challenging to move, and avoid plastic or lightweight containers that they can easily overturn. Additionally, consider using shallow planters over deep ones since raccoons do not have long claws and cannot dig very deep.

Use Natural Raccoon Repellents

Another way to keep raccoons at bay is to use natural raccoon repellents. You can use a combination of strong flavors and strong odors to deter raccoons from approaching your potted plants. One option is to sprinkle cayenne pepper or hot sauce around your plants since raccoons hate the spicy scent. Alternatively, you can use clove oil, peppermint oil, or even vinegar mixed with water as a spray-on repellent.

Install a Fence or Net

Building a fence or netting around your potted plants can also deter raccoons from getting too close. Try using a wire mesh fence at least three feet high, or a net made of plastic or nylon that can be stretched over your plants. The fence or net should be secure at the bottom to prevent raccoons from burrowing under, and tall enough to keep them from climbing over.

Eliminate Attractants

Raccoons are attracted to anything that looks like food, so if you want to keep them away, it's important to remove any potential attractants. This includes bird feeders, water bowls, and any open compost or trash receptacles. Moreover, you should also avoid any fertilizers or organic matter that can attract raccoons, such as bone meal, fish emulsion or blood meal.

Use Motion-Activated Sprinklers

If you are looking for another effective way to scare off raccoons, try motion-activated sprinklers. These devices use a sensor to detect movement and then spray a jet of water for a few seconds. Raccoons are not fans of being sprayed with water and will usually flee at the first sound of the sprinkler. This solution works well, especially when you are not around your potted plants to shoo the pests away.

In Conclusion

Keeping raccoons away from potted plants may require a combination of measures, but it is essential to keep your plants safe and healthy. By using natural repellents, installing fences or nets, removing food sources and using motion-activated sprinklers, you can help deter raccoons from attacking and ruining your potted plants. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so take care of your plants before they become a target for these pesky critters.