What Is the Best Thing to Keep Raccoons Away?

Raccoons aren’t just curious; they’re determined, resourceful, and completely unbothered by your store-bought “critter repellent” spray. If they’ve decided your attic, garden, or trash bins are worth a visit, they’ll keep coming back until you make it physically impossible for them to get what they want.

That’s why the smartest, most effective way to keep raccoons away isn’t about fancy scents or flashing gadgets, it’s about shutting down access and making your space uninviting in the first place.

For homeowners in Phoenix and surrounding Arizona neighborhoods, that means a mix of smart prevention, sturdy barriers, and a few strategic deterrents that raccoons actually respect. Let’s get into what works, what doesn’t, and how AAAC Wildlife Removal can help you win the long game against these masked troublemakers.

The Best Way to Keep Raccoons Away

If you want raccoons gone for good, nothing beats physically preventing them from getting to the things they want; food, shelter, and water. This means sealing off entry points to your home, securing garbage, and removing easy snacks from your yard. Unlike sprays or predator urine, which wear off and lose effectiveness, exclusion and cleanup work every day without reapplication.

Think of it as cutting off their supply chain. A raccoon can’t nest in your attic if the vent is sealed with heavy-gauge hardware cloth, and it won’t dumpster-dive if your trash is locked up tight. These steps don’t just work once; they keep working, season after season, without relying on luck or raccoons “deciding” to leave you alone.

Why Most DIY Tricks Fall Flat?

From ammonia-soaked rags to blaring radios in the attic, there’s no shortage of homemade raccoon “cures” floating around online. The problem is raccoons are smart enough to adapt, and once they figure out a deterrent isn’t a real threat, they’ll go right back to business.

Scents fade, sounds become background noise, and bright lights lose their intimidation factor after a few nights. Here’s why common DIY methods don’t stick:

• Smell-based repellents fade fast – Ammonia, predator urine, and strong scents wear off quickly and need constant reapplication.
• Noise and light lose impact – Radios, motion lights, and alarms become background noise once raccoons realize nothing harmful follows.
• Ultrasonic devices are inconsistent – Results vary, and raccoons often adapt or avoid only temporarily.
• Chemical deterrents can cause issues – Some attract other pests or pose risks to pets, kids, and the environment.

These quick fixes might buy you a little time, but they rarely solve the root problem, your property still offers them a reason to stick around.

How AAAC Wildlife Does Exclusion Smarter?

Keeping raccoons away for good means thinking like a raccoon, and then outsmarting them. At AAAC Wildlife Removal, we focus on sealing the spots they use to get in, fortifying weak areas, and making sure your property stops looking like a free buffet.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all job; it’s a targeted plan based on how raccoons are interacting with your home. Our approach includes:

• Thorough inspections – Checking attics, crawl spaces, rooflines, vents, chimneys, and siding for entry points.
• Professional-grade barriers – Installing heavy-gauge hardware cloth, chimney caps, vent covers, and other permanent blockades.
• Smart deterrents – Adding motion-activated lights or sprinklers as a backup for high-traffic raccoon areas.
• Follow-up checks – Ensuring repairs hold and no new access points open up over time.

By combining durable repairs with smart deterrents, we create a setup that raccoons can’t outthink, saving you from repeat visits and constant cleanup.

Actionable Extras, Garden & Trash Zone Smarts

Even if your home is locked down tight, raccoons will keep visiting if your yard is a food court. Securing outdoor spaces is just as important as sealing entry points, and small changes can make a big difference in keeping these critters disinterested.

For Trash Areas:

• Use wildlife-proof bins with locking lids, or add bungee cords for extra security.
• Store trash indoors or in a secured shed until pick-up day.
• Rinse food containers before tossing to reduce strong odors.

For Gardens and Yards:

• Install mesh covers or fencing around vegetable beds and fruit trees.
• Consider a low-profile electric garden fence as a hidden barrier.
• Keep compost piles contained and avoid leaving pet food outdoors.
• Trim overgrown brush that provides hiding spots or easy access to roofs.

Layering these strategies creates an environment raccoons find frustrating and unrewarding, making your property the one they skip in favor of easier pickings elsewhere.

When You Need AAAC on Speed Dial?

Sometimes, no matter how much prevention you’ve done, a raccoon still finds its way in. Once they’re inside, the situation quickly shifts from an occasional nuisance to a serious health and property risk. That’s when calling AAAC Wildlife Removal stops being just a smart choice and becomes absolutely necessary.

You might hear scratching, thumping, or chattering noises coming from your attic or walls at night. Strong, unpleasant odors can develop from raccoon latrines or urine-soaked insulation, and the damage can extend to vents, shingles, siding, or chimney caps. In some cases, you may spot droppings, paw prints, or gnawed openings around your property that confirm you’ve got a resident raccoon problem.

Raccoons can cause costly damage fast, and trying to deal with them yourself risks injury, disease exposure, and making the problem worse. Our team is trained to remove them humanely, repair the damage, and install lasting defenses so you can stop worrying about the next invasion.

Keep Raccoons Out for Good with the Right Strategy

The most effective way to keep raccoons away isn’t about chasing them off, it’s about making your property a place they can’t access and don’t want to return to. By sealing entry points, securing trash, and protecting your yard, you create a setup that leaves raccoons with no reason to stick around. These steps work day in and day out, without relying on temporary gimmicks.

If you’re dealing with an active raccoon problem or want to make sure it never starts, AAAC Wildlife Removal is ready to help. Our team brings the tools, know-how, and local expertise to handle the job humanely and permanently. Call us today, and let’s make your home a raccoon-free zone, no drama, no repeat visits.

Get Expert Raccoon Removal and Prevention Today!

Don’t wait for raccoons to cause more damage or turn your attic into their personal crash pad. AAAC Wildlife Removal offers fast, humane, and permanent solutions that keep raccoons out for good. We handle everything, from removing the animals to repairing damage and securing entry points, so you can get back to enjoying a safe, quiet home.

Call us now or request your free inspection online. Let’s stop the raccoons before they make themselves too comfortable.