Raccoons routinely raid our pond and make a mess. They tear up the water lily leaves and eat the blossoms during the night. The water turns to muck and stinks of raccoon in the morning.

I think they think they are having fun, but always have that guilty look in their eyes whenever I catch them at it. Still, they keep at it.

I've seen folks on this forum asking about deer and rabbit repelling plants. Is there a plant that can grow in water and which raccoons won't bother? If so, I'd replace the water lilies and try that.

If anyone has a method of repelling/discouraging raccoons, I'd sure like to hear about it.

A hot wire 4" off the ground a couple feet from the pond edge. Keeps marauding wading birds out too.

Once, I asked a pest control company that question.
The lady recommended a 22 rifle.
But around here, I'd get busted for that.

There probably is no such plant. They are drawn to the pond for other reasons, not plants.
Raccoons are not plant eaters. Oh sure, they eat berries but they don't visit the 'salad bar'.
I had a pond on Long Island for over 30 years. It was torn up twice, consecutive years. Both times by a Black crowned Night Heron, not raccoons.

Deer and rabbits can be repelled or discouraged because they won't eat certain plants. If I go to a buffet, I won't be kept away by huge salads, I am after the prime rib!!!! Yummy!!!

That makes sense, CatPaw.

So maybe I should plant catfish...they have poisonous spines on the dorsal fin, yes? Raccoons will eat fish. A spine in the gut might dissuade their style.

But spiny catfish are hard to come by, I've heard. At least around here.

I do not think that there is anything you can do really. Nothing you can do in terms of plants or fish.
Check out some type of full chain link style enclosure around the pond. But that would destroy the ambiance of a pond!

Then your target has to be the Raccoons!

This past summer, I was plagued by woodchucks! They finally ate my container grown tomato's. They ate the fruit one night, the whole plant the next.
So this year I hired a Wildlife renewal service. I bought a Hav-a-Heart trap from them. $40 When I caught an animal, they came and relocated it for $80 each. 5 woodchucks, one possum and a squirrel later, I beat back the woodchucks. I ate my tomato's! But I just saw one back in my yard the other day. I assume I will do this dance again next year!? Either that or no tomato's.

Was this cheap? No! But it provided relief. Maybe this is your solution???
Good luck!

greenriverfs said: Once, I asked a pest control company that question.
The lady recommended a 22 rifle.

At my house, Havahart trap, 22, shovel.

death by acute heavy metals

The hot wire seems least intrusive and most effective.
Unless you can screen the entire pond surface- dark wire not TOO intrusive looking.

Free-roaming dogs help once the raccoons are on the ground, but the ones who travel on tree branches, fence rails, roof tops, and rafters are safe. My problem is with barn invaders who can go where my dogs can't. If they can't get to any food, they have a tantrum and trash the place. They quickly became trap shy.

There are no good deterrents for any animal other than trapping or shooting. I trap them on my property, you are allowed if they cause problems on your own property. Check your county DNR or DEC web site for the laws/rules. Raccoons are very destructive and can cause a lot of damage to your house, garage, shed, etc.

Friend had to put nail boards up to keep the raccoons out of his swimming pool, it worked

Catpaworchids said:
When I caught an animal, they came and relocated it for $80 each.

You do know that's code for they took it off sight and euphanized it.

A euphemism for 'euthanized?" in a way?

I don't know that for sure. But to bottom line it, I could not care less. As long as they are not here, I am good.

sallyg said: A euphemism for 'euthanized?" in a way?

Same thought popped into my brain! because in many jurisdictions it's illegal to relocate wildlife. If it's humane euthanasia, probably kinder that relocation, which is often known to result in unhappy demise due to unfamiliar surroundings and predators. Especially urbanized animals being dropped into wild areas.

Yeah, there is no easy solution. I can see that from you alls' comments and from my personal experience. We might control a pest's population one way or another for a year or two, but turn our back and that lust for life rushes back unabated. I have to give raccoons credit (and squirrels, rats, mosquitoes ...) for spunk.

I'll just adjust my perspective. Let them be.

(Maybe the County will grant us a property tax exemption if we claim Wildlife Sanctuary Status. Tourists will come visit our ravaged muddy pond. I'll put up an interpretive sign saying, "Exhibit of Urban Interface between Human and Varmint species.")

It was in an old gardening tv show where the foxes were the main cause of the problem. The solution as far I remember it was quite simple where human hair or other strong sources of "human smell" was placed along the fences. Yes the smell fades away as time passes but there might be similar simple solution for your problem.

According to anther forum they don't like the following plants or sources of smell.
Hot pepper, garlic, peppermint oil, onion, maybe you can grow these along the shore.
It depends on the type of raccoon which lives near in the cities they don't really care about anything.

Most of the time like scarecrows it depends on the source of the negative "experience" and if you find one make sure it stays fresh in their mind or it will fade away by time.

Unfortunately the only similar animals We had to face were european polecat and mice.

sallyg said: death by acute heavy metal

sallyg said: A euphemism for 'euthanized?"

No need for baking any pun rolls here... maybe a punt cake.

We keep netting over our pond! In our backyard it is the only way to keep out Raccoons, and also keep the Cats from sitting on the edges with their cute little paws in the water.