RACOONS IN THE BARN

[GENE DERRINGER]

I want to get rid of raccons in my barn. I have barn cats which have done a good job of riddance of rats and mice. I have set live traps, but the cats get in the traps.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. I am sure someone will suggest to burn down the barns. Not going to happen.

 

[Tgrasher]

Take the food supply they're after away and get/borrow a "cat friendly dog" that has some hunter in him.

 

[Gambles]

My brother used to hunt raccoons with his dogs. He participated in professional hunts. At one time when he was serious about his sport, I think he owned about 10 dogs. Their yelping is unmistakable. Do you know of anybody locally who hunts raccoons with dogs? I bet he would help you.

 

[Steve in VA]

I want to get rid of raccons in my barn. I have barn cats which have done a good job of riddance of rats and mice. I have set live traps, but the cats get in the traps.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. I am sure someone will suggest to burn down the barns. Not going to happen.

You don't say what you're using for bait but perhaps something the cats don't care for like apples or other fruit.

 

[Ed Fulton]

You might consider box traps using sardines for bait. You'll probably catch cats at first, but they should learn to stay away.

 

[PJH]

I want to get rid of raccons in my barn. I have barn cats which have done a good job of riddance of rats and mice. I have set live traps, but the cats get in the traps.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. I am sure someone will suggest to burn down the barns. Not going to happen.

Yes, cats will get in the live traps, but usually only once per cat. That's still aggravating if you have a dozen barn cats. I had one big old barn cat that didn't mind getting caught because he knew that I would release him in the morning. After four or five times catching him, I carried him and the cage out to the hydrant and gave him a five minute hose bath. Never caught him again.

An old CB antenna magnet attached to a fruit jar lid makes a good bait holder for a live trap. Stick it right on the trigger.

 

[Steve in VA]

I want to get rid of raccons in my barn. I have barn cats which have done a good job of riddance of rats and mice. I have set live traps, but the cats get in the traps.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. I am sure someone will suggest to burn down the barns. Not going to happen.

Avoid milkbones as bait.

 

[JWA]

A good flashlight and a .22 rifle, sort of like an old time rat killing.

 

[onefarmer]

I get coons all the time in my shed and have live traps I use. While I have caught cats they learn with the first catch and never go back. I use cat or dog food (dry) for bait. I now sometimes get a coon a day until they are thinned out.

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

My pitbull is quite proficient at eliminating larger critters like that. A coon would be done in a minute or two AND it's like watching Wild Kingdom. Just keep the pit away from the cats. Most, even with tempering to cats, can still go after a cat when they are in "pitbull mode" & their brain shuts down to focus on whatever they are after.

Mike

 

[560Dennis]

Interesting issue : I would suggest using peanut butter under the trip plates that way they have to use their little hands to release the trap so the door will latch . Just a suggestion .
Try that and get back to us.

 

[Farmall M 248]

How big are they? I know where some are that are about four feet long from head to tail.

 

[joeysmith]

Grandfather finally gave up on trapping an just put electric fence around the feed

He lived between 2 creeks an there was always a steady supply of coons

 

[560Dennis]

My pitbull is quite proficient at eliminating larger critters like that. A coon would be done in a minute or two AND it's like watching Wild Kingdom. Just keep the pit away from the cats. Most, even with tempering to cats, can still go after a cat when they are in "pitbull mode" & their brain shuts down to focus on whatever they are after.

Mike

Over kill ️I think

 

[Roger in Iowa]

I want to get rid of raccons in my barn. I have barn cats which have done a good job of riddance of rats and mice. I have set live traps, but the cats get in the traps.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. I am sure someone will suggest to burn down the barns. Not going to happen.

 

[ole fred]

I used marshmellows for bait. Cats don't like them, but coons do.

 

[Roger in Iowa]

Over kill ️I think

Use a foot trap found via Google or TSC or Boomgaars. Looks like a short piece of pipe. Catches raccoons only as the have to reach down into to get bait and trips trap.
Won't catch anything else.
Use cat or dog food from a can for bait.

 

[Roger in Iowa]

 

[joeysmith]

Tie it off really really well
They are crafty especially when trapped

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

Over kill ️I think

Quick & free entertainment.

Mike