How to Keep Raccoons Out of the Vegetable Garden

Overview

If you have a vegetable garden and a raccoon finds it, you are in big trouble. Raccoons are one of the worst pests because they will eat almost anything, including cat food. Take measures immediately to protect your garden and keep the raccoons out.

Step 1

Place tight fitting lids on your trash cans and compost bins or buckets. These attract raccoons. Once they are finished with your leftovers, it won't be long until they find your vegetable garden.

Step 2

Use a motion sensor that shines bright lights when triggered. According to Seattle PI, raccoons are scared away when lights shine on them. They prefer the cover of the dark night. Place the motion sensors in front of your vegetable garden.

Step 3

Plant cucumbers around the perimeter of your vegetable garden. Not only do raccoons hate the smell of cucumbers, but the vines that the cucumbers grow on bother raccoons' paws. A raccoon won't want to step on the vines to get to the other vegetables.

Step 4

Turn a radio to a hard rock station and set it in front of your vegetable garden at night when raccoons go hunting for food. Raccoons hate loud noises and will not venture near the radio.

Step 5

Set up a fence. Fences are the only sure way to keep raccoons and other critters out of your vegetable garden. A good choice for a fence is either an electric fence, or a fence made of chicken wire. If you keep the top of the fence loose, it will fold over toward the raccoon when the raccoon climbs on it. This prevents the raccoon from being able to climb up and over the fence.