On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 12:59:43 PM UTC-4, Higgs Boson wrote:
Big SOB has been terrorizing household intermittently for ages. Comes in through cat door; scarfs up cat food; messes his water dish. We blocked up cat door; cat has to use window giving on dark yard; have it open minimum, but anxious-making.



Found raccoon in kitchen at night. BIG! Rushed out OPEN back door, brushing past my legs; no injury fortunately. So can't leave computer room door open for air at night.



OP has volunteered to kill it w/blow to head, but he doesn't realize how big and fierce they are. Also, first have to catch it!!



Point is: Why are RACCOONS -- biggest pest around -- "protected" !!!? I asked

Animal Shelter for help -- send someone to trap him, or lend me a cage. They said haven't done this for years. Gave me info about "protected" status. I'M THE ONE WHO NEEDS PROTECTION!



Not ept enough to construct own cage, though have plans/descriptions. Cost of materials - have to be VERY strong. Ever see the CLAWS on those critters!



Choices: Rent a cage. Buy a cage. Put up with cat door problem. Other?



*******SPRAY SOMETHING ON STEPS THAT THEY ARE SAID TO AVOID. Anybody know a product?******



OK, end sob story. Excuse venting.



HB

Funny, brings back memories of my encounter with raccoon. I made mistake of rescuing a baby raccon after its Mother was road kill and the little baby kept running into road to be next to dead Mother, pretty sad, so I let my emotions get the most and saved it from death. Took it home, as an animal lover, just wanted to give it a fair chance, so fed it until it was big enough to go out on its own, but didn't. lol

Long story short, I couldn't get rid of him for they are always looking for the easiest meal, and I was it. He would break into house, pulling screens off windows and doors, amazing how cunning they are when it comes to getting free food. I ended up taking him deep into the woods for he wouldn't leave, actually would sleep up on my roof at night as safe as it was and easy not to leave his food source.

So lesson learned, get rid of raccoon if you can, just buy a safe trap and catch him, then take him to woods a couple miles away and your problem is over. Easy to catch as they will eat just about anything, so bait your trap with maple syrup which was my raccoons favorite snack. lol A more expensive option is to get an electronic pet door which activates from reciever on pets collar, works great and only opens for your pet. By the way, raccoons stink to high heaven if they get into your home and start marking their territory as food source, so if you notice a smell, try Green-Homes.com air odor purifier, worked great in my home.

Success to all,