Trapping a Raccoon Easy?

Though we are in the business of trapping raccoons that have moved into people’s homes, we are not going to claim that trapping a raccoon is something only a pro can do.

In fact, trapping a raccoon in a live trap can be extremely easy.

If you can set a live trap and throw something tasty inside, there is a good chance you can catch a raccoon.

In the keep-it-simple mind-set, the pros often opt for simple bait-and-trap scenarios too.  It works! So, there often isn’t a need to make raccoon trapping too complicated.

BUT….If you are dealing with a trap-wise raccoon or a pregnant female raccoon or one that has just given birth, we are here to tell you that you may have to up your trapping game in order to catch the raccoon living in your house.

In this post, we’ll show examples (with video) of an easy and a more difficult raccoon removal.  Ryan will show you a raccoon that was caught shortly after setting the trap and one that required a trapping scenario that takes a little more time and effort to put in place. Let’s get to it!

Raccoon Captured Quickly | Travel Path is Key

Any type of trapping has a higher degree of success if you know (or can anticipate) the problem animal’s travel path.

In this most simple method, you know where the raccoon is going and put the trap where they can’t miss it.  That way the bait catches their eye and nose, luring them to the trap.  This greatly ups your odds of success.

Place the trap outside their entrance into your soffit, where they are climbing up on the roof, or at the porch rail they always use.  This will target the problem animal and make your efforts more efficient.

For efficiency’s sake, we often trap right at the raccoon’s entrance/exit to the structure. 

We’ll incorporate a pass-through trap and blocking/funneling material like wire right into the opening.  That way, when the animal seeks to exit or enter the structure, the target animal is captured in short order.

Ryan found a raccoon going through a wall of a house and caught it quickly and efficiently by placing a trap right at the exit.  When the raccoon came out that evening, it was captured.  This video shows the most common scenario in nuisance raccoon removal.

Simple Did Not Work | Raccoon Removal More Difficult

Try the simple way first!  But if simple is not working here are some things to consider.

You may need to trap directly on the exit/entrance.

Sometimes we get raccoons that just can’t be lured into well-baited traps.  How do we know this? Remote cameras.  It is frustrating to have the camera show you that a trap, filled with all of a raccoon’s favorite treats and right in the path of travel, was just ignored by a raccoon.  Hard to believe, but it happens.

One would think that there is no way a raccoon could pass by a free and tasty snack, but it happens.  

Raccoons that can pass by an easy meal have usually been trapped before or are female raccoons during the birthing season.

Anecdotally, we believe raccoons that have previously been trapped have learned to become trap-avoiders. 

Our experiences seem to match up with what scientists have found through study as well.  A recent study from biologists at the University of Wyoming (Wyoming Raccoon Project) determined how a number of different factors affect raccoons’ cognition.

As a part of this study, scientists trapped numerous raccoons more than once.  One conclusion the biologists reached was that “raccoons likely learned to avoid traps after their first trapping year, regardless of age”.  (Cited from Journal of Experimental Biology)

You may need to be patient.

Even if the raccoon is inside and the only way out is through your trap, patience is a must!  Wary raccoons that aren’t starving can “hole up” for days on end.  This means that raccoons just don’t move in and out of their dens when we think they should.  Weather and wariness and the presence of young are the main factors that determine how long they’ll try to wait it out.

Rest assured; the raccoon will eventually come out.  (Though it could find or make a new exit! But that’s a post for another day)

Here is Ryan’s story of a raccoon that could not be caught the “easy” way as described above.  With this raccoon ignoring the trap, he had to mount the trap at the entrance (took more time, materials and effort) and wait the raccoon out.  A successful removal, but not a quick one.

Raccoon Trapping Success | Call a Pro if You Need Help

To re-cap, raccoon removal isn’t too difficult if you’ve got the right tools and a hungry, not too wary raccoon.  Get a good trap, bait it well and place it close to the path of travel.  You will catch your raccoon.

But should you find yourself dealing with a previously trapped raccoon or a wary mother raccoon, know you’ll most likely need to up your game to get the problem raccoon caught.  A double-door trap integrated with the opening into the structure and some patience are key.

Getting the right equipment and mounting the trap become the difficult parts of the job when “simple” just isn’t working.

Any reputable nuisance animal removal specialist will be able to help.

If you are in Summit, Stark or Portage County, Ohio and need a company that solves raccoon problems, give Frontline Animal Removal a call.

Raccoons love the cities and suburbs here in the Akron/Canton area.  There are a lot of raccoons in our area that equate our homes with shelter for raccoons.  We’ll help get the freeloaders out of your space!