I Am Being Invaded by Raccoons and Very Afraid - Page 9

ennui_too · ‎07-30-2014

On 7/31/2014 luvmyteddy said:
If I see that Sears optical commercial one more time I will scream. Kids are going to think they are like a kitty cat. I have seen them in daylight too. They are getting braver and braver.

Did the cat die?

I've heard that raccoons can be pets, but I assume they must be raised as babies.

Yes, the cat was suffering and was euthanized.

Marienkaefer2 · ‎03-09-2010

On 7/31/2014 GoodStuff said:
If they don't clear out in a day or two, call a professional wildlife removal company. These critters can be vicious and can carry diseases, including rabies. And they often tear their way into walls or attics.

If I were you, I'd never feed a pet or feral outside, ever again!

I agree. I don't mean to sound hard hearted, but after the ordeal the o/p just went through, if she were wise she would not risk this again.

Raccoons are super smart, and have good memories and learn quickly. They will not soon forget what they discovered at your house, and even though you don't see them in the day, they may very well be "casing" your house from afar or at night time. If they are attracted back to your house, you can bet they will be more tenacious than last time. You have to ask yourself if you really want to deal with that, bb gun or not.

I'm not kidding. If you don't want another problem, don't risk it. I realize you want to feed the cats, but you also have to protect yourself and your pets.

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.--Marcus Tullius Cicero

beauty junkie · ‎03-10-2010

After we stopped leaving out food,all the raccoons and possums left. We now sit and feed our ferals and stay with them while they eat and have had no more animals come here.Once they realized the food was gone they moved on.We had tried calling animal control and others and unless we wanted to pay they would do nothing.Hate to say thing but take away all food and water for a couple of weeks,they should move on.I hope the kittys will be ok,ours were and they know to come to our door so we can feed them.

We do not remember days,we remember moments.
The Rainbow Bridge!!!

KathyPet · ‎03-09-2010

I am just glad you are getting a quality flashlight.

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

On 8/1/2014 beauty junkie said:
After we stopped leaving out food,all the raccoons and possums left. We now sit and feed our ferals and stay with them while they eat and have had no more animals come here.Once they realized the food was gone they moved on.We had tried calling animal control and others and unless we wanted to pay they would do nothing.Hate to say thing but take away all food and water for a couple of weeks,they should move on.I hope the kittys will be ok,ours were and they know to come to our door so we can feed them.

I agree about removing food and water. Unless there's nothing around for them, they'll be coming back, even once in a while to check. Once an animal (especially one as smart as a raccoon) finds a place to eat and/or drink, they'll keep checking it. Especially if they're normal food sources are compromised. The only way to keep feeding those cats would be as you suggest, beauty junkie, "train" the cats to come to you at a certain time, feed them, and immediately remove all traces of food and water. The raccoons will eventually leave permanently if they're not being rewarded in some manner. (Provided none of the neighbors have anything they can get into, though.)

I feel for those of you having raccoon problems in the suburbs/city. Those guys get used to people and aren't afraid of them--like bears in some areas that become a problem. We're in the country and our wildlife has enough room to roam and when they do come in contact with people they run. If they don't, chances are they're diseased or hurt.

free-spirit · ‎03-09-2010

2 things we did that might help

1) Moth balls. They are poisonous so we did not lay them outside loose. I went to the dollar store and found some very cheap plastic containers. We made holes in the containers with nails, put in the moth balls and glued the containers shut. Make sure the holes are not big enough for the moth balls to fall out. DO THIS WORK OUTSIDE. After a few days the wild life disappeared. We then picked up the boxes and threw them in the trash.

2) Carpet tacks. We glued them to a thin piece of wood. At night we laid them on our porch and buy our sliding glass door. Again the wild life was gone in a day or 2. We then could easily dispose of the wood.

Neither one of these solutions hurt the wild life although we could not use our back yard.

Also ... if you find yourself in that situation again try and get the goggie to go potty in the garage.

luvmyteddy4 · ‎09-04-2010

I got the gun I ordered today along with a torchlight and new caller ID. Who knew caller IDs came without batteries these days as did the flashlight. A nice strong light that is already charged.

The BB/pellet gun is a good one but I will have to find someone to help me load it and how to use it. I actually feel better knowing I have a weapon even though I hope to never use it. I don't want the feeling of thinking something or someone is breaking in and I have no protection. I am getting 4 new neighbors this year and you never know who you are going to get. Three houses across the street and one next door. That's a lot. Everything is changing so much. I'm nervous but I think that is a good thing.

I had a shotgun before but when I got three dogs years ago I sold it. I am not getting anymore dogs but they certainly make a big difference in how safe you feel even though kitty has a mean left hook. There are no children that come here and I know you don't keep it loaded. Thanks for everyone's help.