Raccoons are nocturnal animals and very messy. They carry diseases and can harm your pets and family. It is best to make your house is Missouri raccoon proof and take steps to prevent them from coming. If you sight a raccoon it is best to scare it and prevent its entry. Scaring is a better and more humane than poisoning or killing them. To scare an animal it is important to know what they are afraid of.



Personal confrontation
A St Louis raccoon gets startled when confronted directly. Immediately after seeing a raccoon turn on the lights and move towards the animal with a broom or stick to chase it away. You can also throw a ball or any other object at it. The raccoon will instantly run away. The only danger is that if cornered the raccoon may try to attack. Raccoons have very sharp claws and teeth and may harm you. Raccoons being nocturnal the encounter will take place at night when it may be more alert. You may also have to lose sleep and wait for them at night. The solution may also be temporary and the raccoon may attempt to come again when you are not there.

Lights
Being nocturnal Missouri animals raccoons are scared of lights and avoid lighted areas. The lights must be powerful and bright or raccoons are not scared of them. Flood lights are a great deterrent. They will have to be installed at proper distances and turned on at night. This may become expensive. A good alternative is to have LED lights with motion sensors.

Noise
Animals are generally startled by loud noises. St Louis raccoons are also scared of human voices. They do not enter if they sense the presence of people. A radio turned on with an all-night talk station is effective to keep them away. Large yards and gardens may need more than one radio. One major problem is that the sound may be a disturbance and neighbors may complain. You may also not like it.

Sprinklers
A sprinkler system that is activated by sensors is a good deterrent. The sudden spray of water scares the Missouri raccoon away.

Electric Fencing
Having regular fencing will not be effective against St Louis raccoons since they are excellent climbers. They are also good diggers. They can easily dig under the ground and sneak in. Electric fences are effective. A wire is installed 6” above the ground and a second wire slightly higher. Touching the wire sends a mild shock to the raccoon and scares him. One advantage of this method is that the raccoon will never attempt to enter again this way.

Big dogs
Raccoons avoid a house with a dog. Dogs are aggressive and can chase the Missouri raccoon away. However, if cornered the raccoon may become aggressive and try to attack the dog. They can severely injure even big dogs and sometimes cause fatal harm. Another disadvantage is that you may have to keep the dog outside at night. Repellents like market sprays, naphthalene balls etc are temporary and not very effective.

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