DEAR JOAN: Like Kathy of Concord, my new lawn was attacked by raccoons peeling up the edges of the new sod. And, like Kathy, I tried Critter Ridder and labor intensive plastic netting, as well as clear plastic water bottles placed around the lawn, as suggested by our gardener. These deterrents would seem to work for a week or so, but the raccoons would always return.
So I was overjoyed to read in your column that, with winter here, I could enjoy six months free of raccoons and grubs. Alas, the raccoons keep coming. Lately, they have been here every night.
So what’s going on? Did the grubs not learn that they should be snoozing? Or are the raccoons persistently looking for grubs despite not finding them? Or could there be some other prize in the lawn the racoons enjoy? Should I apply some nematodes now, despite the season?
— Randy, Cupertino
DEAR RANDY: All the scenarios you pose could be at play here. The grubs might not have retreated that far, and some might be lingering within the reach of determined raccoons. Regardless of where the grubs are or aren’t, raccoons might not be ready to give up the search. Raccoons often need several days of digging and not finding anything before they give up.
Applying beneficial nematodes now would be pointless, as they likely would have few targets. Waiting the raccoons out is still the best option, but continue reading to learn what other readers have tried.
DEAR JOAN: I meant to write after seeing the reader’s question about keeping the raccoons from digging up her new lawn.
My solution is the Havahart Critter Ridder. It’s a motion-activated water sprayer, inexpensive, and it really works. I had raccoons coming in at night and eating my persimmons. So every year when they start to get ripe, I set up the sprayer, which you attach to a water hose, just before dark. I go out and turn on the water, and then turn it off in the morning, and the only persimmons that get damaged are the ones at the top of the trees, which the birds get.
— Gael Venn, Gilroy
DEAR GAEL: I’m glad to hear the motion-activated sprinkler is working for you. There is a risk that after getting sprayed a few times, the raccoons will realize that it’s only water and not hurting them, but it’s definitely worth a try, especially hearing it’s a success for you.
DEAR JOAN: I just read your article in which a reader asked about placing netting over their lawn to deter raccoons. I never saw what animal was digging up my lawn, but it looked like a golfer had attacked it with a nine iron!
I started covering the lawn at night with a tarp, which was very impractical. Then my nephew recommended “Predator Eye,” a solar powered device that has two laser-like red “eyes” that come on after dark. I put out five, and the problem has been solved for at least a year now.
— Mark Judge, San Jose
DEAR MARK: I’ve heard success stories from people who use these devices to protect their chicken coops. That sounds like a great option for the lawn too. And with five, the raccoons must think they’ve wandered into a pack of wolves.
Animal Life runs on Mondays. Contact Joan Morris at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com.
