What do I do about the raccoons that are getting into my carts?

The best deterrent is to keep your carts indoors where the raccoons can’t get to them. For the times your carts are left outside, try covering garbage and compostable materials, especially anything with an exceptionally strong smell, with paper bags or newspaper after placing it in the cart.

Try any of following to keep raccoons at bay:

  • You can repel raccoons with cayenne pepper, which is found at just about any grocery store.
    Raccoons have a highly sensitive sense of smell and strongly dislike the scent – they will usually
    avoid it as much as possible. Sprinkle ground cayenne pepper on top of or around your cart.

  • You can also make a homemade liquid repellent. Boil a quart of water, 1/3 cup of cayenne pepper,
    and a diced jalapeno pepper for about 20 minutes. Cool and strain, then pour the mixture into an
    empty spray bottle and spray around your cart.

  • Commercial organic raccoon repellent products are available for purchase at some pet stores and
    online. Sprinkle the granules around your carts to keep them away.

  • Sprinkle the top of your carts with baby powder, or even sand. Raccoons don’t like the feel of dust
    on their paws and might avoid the area if they detect any around.

  • Try using motion sensors that activate lights to scare them off.

Raccoons are intelligent animals. If they’re unsuccessful at the first attempts to get food at a particular location, they will most likely stay away and look for other sources. Remember to please be careful with raccoons. They can be dangerous if provoked and often carry diseases. Never approach one for any reason. Harming or trapping a raccoon is illegal.