Facial injury first night in RC

[Emssiee]

Hi everyone,

Yesterday was Adams first time outdoors after spending a year with me since she was a singleton baby. The transition to the RC went really well until two raccoons showed up and tried to get in the release cage (approx 10mins after being in there). She was terrified, holding on my back and continuously peering on me. They finally left and I tried to comfort her but she was trembling, which I've never experienced her doing before. She would stay in the opposite space of where they came from, where she has a hammock and where she also slept the night regardless of how chilly it was. I came to visit her later on she was still trembling and she looked petrified, she kept staring into the direction in which the raccoons appeared. They finally left. I stayed until sunrise. She calmed down and started to play around once there was light. I then noticed some marks on her face around her eye, with no fur anymore and a bit of blood.

First, i know these wonderful creatures heal so fast on their own but I was wondering if there anything I can do to help her scratch/wound?

Second, this is my first time, and I'm trying to reinsuring myself by telling myself it's normal that it's scary for her, especially as a singleton, and that she will quickly get used to it? (These raccoons came 3 times earlier in the day while I was in the RC prepping) And her injury was probably due to the panicking and in a new environment in the dark? I just need someone to reinsure me 😩🙏

[Emssiee]

Sorry I tried to take photos but she was way too agitated, so I took a video instead and took screenshots of the best images I could get of her injury.

291118
291119
291120

[HRT4SQRLS]

I think the face wound will be fine but I would watch it to make sure it doesn't get infected.

I am much MORE concerned about the raccoons. I'm sure Adam was terrified. Does your release cage have a floor in it? The reason I ask is because raccoons could dig under the RC and enter through the bottom if it doesn't have a wire floor. I don't think it's common but a rehabber in my area had a squirrel killed by a raccoon. I don't like the idea of them hanging around the release cage.
I'm not sure what your setup is like but I would really try to get the raccoons away from the RC.

Adam will be fine and she will settle down. The RC must be predator proof. If it is she will adapt to the sights and sounds of outdoors.

[Diggie's Friend]

I knew of a rehabber that lost their releasables in an outside cage in one attack by raccoons.

Even so the cage was very well built, and had a cement base, the raccoons were able to breach it.

These animals are much stronger than we realize!

When it comes to the raccoons, only a full chainlink surround, top bottom and sides, protecting the inner cage, can keep them out;

the same that is used in rehabbing raccoons to keep them in.

Same for badgers and coyotes.

I would have an Air horn on hand just in case you see them trying to get in again.

Aim the horn right at them, it will drive them off.

[Emssiee]

Thank you so much for your replies and help, this means a lot to me.

I just came back from visiting her and she was back to herself already, very playful and happy. She ate all her favourite foods, she didn't eat her blocks though. I was able to take better pictures of her wound, see below, and will definitely watch for any possible future infection.

The cage is wired with hardware cloth at the bottom yes. I added sod and grown some grass inside the cage and put big rocks in each corners and bricks or medium rocks along the walls on the ground. The raccoons were young and seemed harmless and curious. I think what attracted them is the smell of the food.. I sprayed them with water and they were trying to catch it in a playful way and also to drink it. Can raccoons chew wood as well? I live in the city of Toronto, we are surrounded by raccoons, I have no idea how I would be able to keep them away?

Here are some pictures..

I just added more bricks along the walls but I took this picture prior to do so
291125
291126
The cage is along my backyard fence (against my garage brick wall) so the raccoons come from the fence, underneath or on top.
291127
291131

Pictures of the wound
291128
291129
291130

[Emssiee]

Could I maybe add some sort of spikes on top of the cage and/or on top of the fence to discourage them? I woukdnt want any animal of any kind to get injured though..

[Mel1959]

I'm not sure how to deter the raccoons, but it's a beautiful release cage!

[HRT4SQRLS]

That IS a nice release cage. I like the natural elements.

I doubt you can keep them off but I would probably put a thin sheet of wood on top like Masonite or 1/4 plywood. They also sell tin or aluminum sheeting. Basically anything to keep them from sitting on top and looking down on your baby. Actually, squirrels like a top covering. It provides some privacy and security for them.

By the way, your Adam is adorable. :grin2 Beautiful coloring.

[CritterMom]

Is that 1/2 inch hardware cloth? I can see that the top is 1 inch. I hate to say this but NOTHING larger than 1/2 inch should ever be used. To throw the fear of God into you, know that a raccoon WILL pull them through 1 inch bars...piece by piece. I have a friend who had a raccoon pry up a skylight, get into her HOUSE, and did this to her beloved parrot. I have known her for years and I can tell you that this has traumatized her for life - she is a different person now.

I have a bunch of wood frames I made that I stapled hardware cloth onto, and I put these in my windows when they are open - to keep the squirrels IN and to keep raccoons out. I don't EVER leave windows open without them - I also have parrots.

I hate telling people who have already built their cage this, but I have to think that if I keep even ONE person from knowing the feeling of losing their baby this way when they could have prevented it, it is worth it.

[TubeDriver]

Get a raccoon sized Hav-a-hart trap and catch the raccoons. Release them in a suitable place away (at least 2 miles) from your squirrel release cage.

I just would not trust that release cage to keep out a couple of bold, determined raccoons. You will probably catch one raccoon each night. Release them in the same area together again.

Tunafish in oil will be irresistible to the raccoons.

[UDoWhat]

This is a very beautiful RC but I have to tell you I am really worried about the raccoons on top of the cage. I don't want to alarm you but I must share an incident that happened out at one of our largest Rehab Centers here. The center put out 3 squirrels in their new release cage. They were overwintering in the new cage. A few weeks after being placed in the cage all 3 squirrels began to act very strange, lost use of their back legs, could not walk or sit up. All 3 died. The director of the center called me and asked if I had ever seen this in squirrels. The director had all three squirrels necropsied.

The squirrels all died from raccoon roundworm. (Baylisasacaris). It turned out that the raccoons were climbing on top of the RC and of course were pooping on top. The poo dropped down through the wire on top of the cage and the squirrels were eating the food on the floor of the cages and walking through the poo. The center immediately had a roof put on the RC so the raccoons could not get on top of the cage.

I would recommend that you bring your beautiful squirrel back inside the house until you can resolve the raccoon problem. At least until you can add a solid roof on top.
I don't mean to alarm you but the raccoons are concerning.

[island rehabber]

The same scenario happened about 20 years ago at a well-respected facility on Long Island.....raccoons pooping on top and the baylisascaris worms in the poop settled in the dirt on the cage floor. squirrels in the RC ate the food and became infected with roundworm....I believe they lost 10-12. :sad

For me, this kind of crap that raccoons do has overshadowed their obvious cuteness. I know, it is their nature. But for God'ssakes they can eat basically ANYthing...why do they have to eat our squirrels and family members? :shakehead

[Emssiee]

Thank you each and everyone for your generous compliments and help.

The hardware cloth on top is 3/4", and on the walls 1/2". Would a raccoon be able to pull on 3/4"? I'm thinking whichever size it may be, their fingers/nails can get through anything really.. and I really do appreciate you sharing your stories, it means a lot to me as I would do anything to protect my babygirl 🙏

I have seen those raccoons a few times times throughout the last months, they are a family of 5 babies..Capturing and relocating would be a hard task for me to do.. and raccoons are quite abondant in our city, others may come and go? This poop thing is quite scaring me. Would Adam be at risk with this poop factor when released?

What if I were to cover one part of the ceiling with something like a flat wood sheet to fully cover the area so that nothing pass trough like @PMHRT4SQRLS suggested, and the rest I could put a layer of heavy transparent plastic on top of the already existing ceiling of hardware cloth (3/4") and then on top of the plastic another layer of hardware cloth but 1/2" this time, so it would both protect from poop & break in? But she wouldn't get to feel the rain at all in that case? I could also put spikes along the whole top of the cage? And should I truly get her back inside? Would that not be too confusing with all the back and fourth? I could cover the cage as soon as tomorrow..

[Emssiee]

@Udowhat - May I please see a picture of the roof they have put on the release cages at your center, or perhaps a similar one just to give me a quick idea?

[Emssiee]

If I were to cover the top with those, would this work to keep the raccoons from going on the cage? https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00EJXVMUQ/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A1K11818W2YCX6&psc=1

[SammysMom]

My release cage is totally wired in 1/2" hardware cloth and then has plastic corrugated roof panels that are readily available at home depot and lowes. It will prevent raccoon poop frtom dropping into the cage as well as too much sun and rain.

[Diggie's Friend]

Good about the poop prevention from above, which also protects them from hawks from above.


There was a rehabber from the upper mid west I helped with a diet for a litter of red squirrels some years ago in preparation for their release back to the wild. When the squirrels were ready I recommended using a full chainlink surround top to bottom to protect the inner release cage from predators for reason of what another longtime rehabber had told me happened to their squirrels that were placed in a sturdy wire fabric reinforced release cage.

At first they didn't think the extra support was needed it, but then one day while bringing out food to the squirrels they arrived just as a badger was working on opening the cage. They scared off the badger and decided then to added the surround. Then they moved the cage into the wood, away from the edge of the woods where badgers and coyotes hang out. From there all the squirrels made it to release.

As the other member here noted, if there is no bottom on the cage it can be breached, badgers can do this quite quickly, and coyotes can as well.

In anycase I hope things go well from here on out.

[TubeDriver]

I used 3/4 plywood sheet for the roof (covered with a sheet of plastic), it was bolted on over 1/2" hardware cloth.

[Gray Squirrel]

I have bought nesting boxes and I think they have holes in them about 3 inches in diameter and some have a plate inside the hole to keep raccoons from reaching down and in in. People on this post are saying that raccoons can get though a 1 inch square hole. Does this mean that nesting boxes do not keep squirrels safe from raccoons? Is it only young raccoons that can get thought a 1 inch square hole? How small a hole can a full grown raccoon get though? I wonder if making the entrance way that is long with curves in it that a raccoon cannot bend its body enough to get though could stop them. It seems strange that a 1 inch openings would keep a squirrel in a release cage but not stop a raccoon, a raccoon is so much larger than a squirrel.
There was a young squirrel that visited my porch. She had balancing problems and I no longer see this squirrel. I think balance problems can be caused by round worm and I have also seen raccoons on my pouch at night and once in day light in the early morning. Could this squirrel have gotten round worm from raccoons coming too my pouch? I have chased the raccoons away and try to make sure there is nothing to eat on the porch when it gets dark. The raccoons will also go after food in bird feeders so I have started bringing in the bird feeders in at night. It is not just meat that raccoons will eat. They eat the food I put out for the Squirrels and birds, nuts and seeds etc. Raccoons may also smell what you cook in your house or what is in your garbage pail.
One morning I saw some fairly large animals in a tree and when I looked at them thought my binoculars I saw they were raccoons. I think it was a mother and her young. There was a bunch of leave hanging on a vine. I have to wonder if the leaves were the remains of a dray and some young squirrels lost their life that day.
I know that rehabbers are meant to be getting squirrel use to the outside, but leaving a single frightened squirrel in a release cage with raccoons around does not seem like the right thing to do. I once had a squirrel on me and there where strange people around and I could feel him shaking, but this shaking was nothing compared the way I felt him shaking later. Once I was sitting in a chair next to an open sliding door. The squirrel was on the arm rest and I had my hand lightly on him all the sudden he started to shaking more violently than I could imagine. He ran up the curtain and started giving his alarm call. I think he saw a bird of prey. If you think about it how would you feel if you were alone and on the bottom of the food chain and saw a predator prowling around?

[Lighten-Up]

Gray Squirrel,
It is my understanding that the raccoons can't get through a 1 inch hole, they can get their hands in to kill and shred the animal that sits in the cage, if they are close enough to the wire mesh, and it seems that raccoons do this a lot. So if lots of raccoons are around, it is advisable to build a cage around the cage, that way, the innermost cage is free from raccoons grabbing, because the outer cage stops their hands from getting anywhere close.

As for nest boxes, the hole for the squirrel must be 3 inches for the squirrel to get in, then there is a predator guard which you mention, this is so that a raccoon if he reaches in, will hit a board, and his paw won't be able to reach around the board to get into the innermost chamber where the squirrel is. Since the raccoon is bigger than a squirrel, it won't be able to get into the box through the three inch hole.

Maybe others can answer more of your questions, this was a start. :-)

[Emssiee]

Thank you everyone for your support and fast replies, this means a lot to me, I don't think I can thank you all enough ��

So does that mean your cages do not receive any rain at all inside? I've read on one of the sticky notes of how to build a RC on this forum that most of the cage must be uncovered so that squirrels feel the rain - I am confused to how this would be possible now that I'm correctly being informed of this raccoon poop problem?

Thank gosh I decided to post this thread?! My little Adam could have died. This is quite important information and I think it would be mentioned on that sticky note ASAP!!

[TubeDriver]

Just a note, I made my release cage portal hole 2" in dimeter and my male and female squirrel had no difficulty getting in or out of the cage. 2" will prevent a raccoon or small cat from getting in regardless of whether there is a door or not (however I still used a flip down mesh door at night).

[TubeDriver]

Mine could not get directly rained on because of the roof but probably got very sticky and damp during rainy days.



Thank you everyone for your support and fast replies, this means a lot to me, I don't think I can thank you all enough ��

So does that mean your cages do not receive any rain at all inside? I've read on one of the sticky notes of how to build a RC on this forum that most of the cage must be uncovered so that squirrels feel the rain - I am confused to how this would be possible now that I'm correctly being informed of this raccoon poop problem?

Thank gosh I decided to post this thread?! My little Adam could have died. This is quite important information and I think it would be mentioned on that sticky note ASAP!!

[Lighten-Up]

For my RC, I used an existing shed, and took some sides off, this meant the entire top had a roof. They only got wet when a wind blew the rain in sideways. I think it's nice to have an open top, but my releases did just fine without it. That part won't make or break their transition. Since you have such an immediate concern with the poop/virus, I wouldn't think twice about covering the top.

[Diggie's Friend]

Get one of those plastic hand held bottle sprayers with a nozzle that adjusts to long stream; then you can hit the raccoons with the spray from up to 12 to 15 ft away.

Use a mixture of vinegar and water for the sprayer, for vinegar is like unto urine from another animal to them. That will make a point out of not coming back so soon.

I agree, a raccoon cannot reach through half inch wire fabric to grab a squirrel, yet if the framing of the cage isn't reinforce with metal strips, and the wire fabric isn't on the outside

they can chew through the wood on the outside to get into the cage.

[Gray Squirrel]

Gray Squirrel,
It is my understanding that the raccoons can't get through a 1 inch hole, they can get their hands in to kill and shred the animal that sits in the cage, if they are close enough to the wire mesh, and it seems that raccoons do this a lot. So if lots of raccoons are around, it is advisable to build a cage around the cage, that way, the innermost cage is free from raccoons grabbing, because the outer cage stops their hands from getting anywhere close.

As for nest boxes, the hole for the squirrel must be 3 inches for the squirrel to get in, then there is a predator guard which you mention, this is so that a raccoon if he reaches in, will hit a board, and his paw won't be able to reach around the board to get into the innermost chamber where the squirrel is. Since the raccoon is bigger than a squirrel, it won't be able to get into the box through the three inch hole.

Maybe others can answer more of your questions, this was a start. :-)
What about weasels and ferrets? I have not seen them at my house but maybe that is because they are small. I think weasels can fit thought a very small hole. Someone that I know that lives within a few miles of me had chicken and said that weasels kill them but did not eat (?any of?) them. If there are weasels and the holes in the mesh are big enough for weasels to go through but not squirrels I think it would make the release cage a death trap for the squirrels. I do not think there are pine martins where I live but what about them?
Does anyone know how high a fox can jump and how small a hole or bar a fox can get though? Foxes can climb so bars may be better than mesh because they would not be able to use the cross bars as steps, but I have been told that they can use there nails to climb. If I cannot stop foxes I at least want to slow them down to give the squirrels a better chance to escape.

[Lighten-Up]

What about weasels and ferrets? I have not seen them at my house but maybe that is because they are small. I think weasels can fit thought a very small hole. Someone that I know that lives within a few miles of me had chicken and said that weasels kill them but did not eat (?any of?) them. If there are weasels and the holes in the mesh are big enough for weasels to go through but not squirrels I think it would make the release cage a death trap for the squirrels. I do not think there are pine martins where I live but what about them?
Does anyone know how high a fox can jump and how small a hole or bar a fox can get though? Foxes can climb so bars may be better than mesh because they would not be able to use the cross bars as steps, but I have been told that they can use there nails to climb. If I cannot stop foxes I at least want to slow them down to give the squirrels a better chance to escape.

Gray Squirrel,
I do not know all the answers to your questions, because do not have weasels ferrets and foxes. I respect your questions, they are valid.

Many of us use 1/2 inch hardware cloth, not much of anything will get through that. But for making nest boxes, and opening the RC at the release time, both of those will all have an opening of three inches, so as you say, a weasel might be able to get in, I don't know. I have had both birds and mice enter the RC when I opened the portal for the squirrels, neither was a problem.

As for your big questions, these are simply my thoughts that I offer.

If there is one thing I have learned through the process of raising squirrels, it is that my fears can run away with me, and if I let them, I'm done for. I have learned that there is not enough of me to go around to control every facet of everything that can happen during a days time. And therefore, I am learning to let go of these things, but it has been a process.

Therefore, the best that I can do, is become aware of what is around me, if I know that I have weasels, and that they could get in the RC, then I might not choose to build an RC at my place and thus risk a squirrels chance to survive while it is still captive in my care; in that instance, I might find someone else to release them who has conditions suitable for success.

Everyone of us, who loves our squirrels, fears for their safety at one time or another, some more than others because of personality etc. If we are to maintain our sanity, we must hand over the control to the squirrels we release to take care of themselves, and let nature handle it. We must do our job to make sure we are releasing them in a relatively safe place, but ALL places have either cars, hawks, or nasty neighbors; if not all the others things that you mention.

All I am trying to say, is that there is no way any of us can guarantee to do enough things to keep them safe. I'm sure most of us would want to, but all we can do is meet life halfway and let Nature run it's course. Most of the time, we are rewarded with lovely experiences, and that is why we do this. Occasionally, we have experienced not so nice things. That is all included in the mix of life.

I don't know if that helped, it's the best I could do. Maybe others have thoughts.

[UDoWhat]

@Udowhat - May I please see a picture of the roof they have put on the release cages at your center, or perhaps a similar one just to give me a quick idea?

Hi Emssiee, sorry I just caught up with this thread and didn't see your request. I live about am hour away from the center I mentioned but will try to get someone out there to send me a picture. I work and wouldn't be able to get out until the weekend.

I beleve the roof that either SammysMom or TubeDriver described is adaquate and will work well. I agree, you must have a wire cage bottom. Raccoons, fox and other predators WILL dig under the cage. They can do it quickly and will kill your squirrel. I am not trying to scare you. These are the facts. I would not let any of my squirrels stay another unsupervised minute in that cage. Yes, raccoons can reach through 1/2x1/2 inch wire and grab squirrels. I had one squirrel lose 2/3rds of her tail when a raccoon grabbed her. My cages are also screened now on top of the wire and have solid roofs. (I am not a fan of raccoons.... sorry) Raccoons can find gaps where the wire is attached to the cage. They will work until they get it open and work their way in. I have seen it happen.

The raccoon poop worry is very real. I am not an alarmist but this is serious. You only need to make some modifications to your beautiful RC to make it safe and predictor proof. :Love_Icon

[Lighten-Up]

Many of us use 1/2 inch hardware cloth, not much of anything will get through that.

UDoWhat just posted that raccoons can get their hands through 1/2 x 1/2 inch wire, so I stand corrected per my previous post. I don't have first hand experience with raccoons. I might have known that, I just was thinking more on other things, so thanks!

[UDoWhat]

I will say that 1/2 x 1/2 inch hardware cloth (wire) is about as safe as you can get but I have seen attacks through even that size wire. As someone said, it is hard to make them 100% safe but we all try to do our best. That is all we can do.

Mostly I am saying that raccoons are a problem. They are pretty vicious killers of squirrels and they carry diseases that we have to guard against. We just have to be as careful as we can to protect our squirrels. :Love_Icon

[Emssiee]

Thank you SO MUCH everyone!! I have spent every single free minute of my time on this situation, so my sincerest apologies for the delay in my reply.

Questions:

- I have read on the board at many intervals that racoons do not kill/eat adult squirrels, but only squirrel babies. So is that not true?

- If the bottom of the cage is covered with 1/2 cloth (from the inside) with heavy stones at each corners and a few bricks along the sides (inside), and going to add 10" trim hardboard along the outside bottom edges, would this be ok? I mean if they can get through this, they will be able to go through a small wooden nestbox hung on a tree even with a guard :/

UPDATE:

- I have blocked all ground access through the fence where they were able to pass under. I drilled lumber into the bottom of the fence as well as metal wire shelves from a stackable storage unit, i even left the screws coming out on the other side, and added bricks too.

- I have purchased corrugated clear plastic roofing panels at lowes (thank you again) as well as hardboard, and those fancy flat screws with integrated bolts. The only thing is that my release portal is located on the roof, so I'll need to figure this one out. I also put some fairy lights due to being dark in that corner at night. Tomorrow I will install the roof, and as for now I don't sleep at night and guard from my balcony.

- @Diggie's friend - I have squirted water at them on Saturday with a succulent watering bottle and it amused them more than anything. Yesterday (Wednesday) I heard them coming back in the middle of the night and I remembered your suggestion about using vinegar. I filled my bottle half way with Apple cider vinegar (the only thing I had) mixed with half water and ran to the RC. I waited silently for them to arrive while reinsuring Adam and BOOM! The second i see one walking on the fence towards us I squirted it straight at him and he ran away immediately. I could sense that another one was on the ground where I have blocked the passage and squirted at him too through the fence panels. WOW!!! He got reaaalllll pissed off this one! I've never heard a raccoon literally GROWLING like an angry cat before, its quite terrifying 😱 They ran away and then came back within a minute, I sprayed again at them and they left immediately and never tried to come back afterwards! Adam was not scared neither, she was very chill and sleepy, she went back in her nestbox and let me dealt with it. Tonight as I'm writing this post, I saw them 3 times across the street and at my neighbours, but they didn't come over (to my knowledge). The bottle is sitting right by my entrance door if they ever decide to come back. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this amazing idea, I don't think I could thank you enough!! :thankyou

[Emssiee]

@lightenup - That was very well said and I totally agree.

@udowhat - Wow that is incredible, thank you so much for sharing these experiences of yours!! I'm starting to dislike them too now 😩 And no worries at all in regards to the picture, that is so kind of you! I purchased what @sammysmom and @tubedriver suggested and was able to visualize how to build my roof. When you get the chance (no rush) you are most welcomed to share a picture, that would help me and I'm sure other members to get ideas :) thank you again for the support, i am very appreciative.

[Gray Squirrel]

UDoWhat just posted that raccoons can get their hands through 1/2 x 1/2 inch wire, so I stand corrected per my previous post. I don't have first hand experience with raccoons. I might have known that, I just was thinking more on other things, so thanks!

What about ¼ inch hard wire cloth?

[Shewhosweptforest]

Emssiee I love your cage :great I think the changes you've made will serve you well....some of my cages have 1/2 in hardware cloth....some have 1/4 in. Two of my cages have hardware cloth bottoms...my opossum release cages are dirt bottom with cemented trenches around the bottom. My newest cage is on the ground with a 4 feet chainlink fence staked around the perimeter and attached to the 4x4's at the base of the cage. So far I've never had an issue with raccoons...and I have raccoons. I feed raccoons, foxes and opossums on my property. I'm amazed that your coons came up to the cage with you in it. I feed my raccoons daily and if they see me they break their necks trying to get away. Only thing I can think is maybe living in town the raccoons are use to humans :dono

As far as raccoons reaching through the fence and pulling animals through...I've only heard of this happening to chickens. I've been told chickens will freeze and not move :dono I can't imagine any of my squirrels getting near the fence a raccoon is near, much less sit there and be torn apart :( Adam may have hit her face while darting around panicked. I just love that you sat out there until sunrise with her...you are a very good momma :Love_Icon

Oh and if your portal is the right size...you don't have to worry about the raccoons getting in....they can't fit through 👍🏻

Adam is very lucky to have such a devoted momma :please and I know you understand that you're blessed to have the love of a squirrel :Love_Icon

Oh and the raccoon poop (don't mind my squirrel attention span :grin3) is very scary...so far I haven't had any issues with them pooping in the yard...I have had to reroute my trail in the woods...because they have established a latrine on it :tap but after a week or two they move on :dono it's not always easy dealing with nature :thinking

[Gray Squirrel]

Emssiee I love your cage :great I think the changes you've made will serve you well....some of my cages have 1/2 in hardware cloth....some have 1/4 in. Two of my cages have hardware cloth bottoms...my opossum release cages are dirt bottom with cemented trenches around the bottom. My newest cage is on the ground with a 4 feet chainlink fence staked around the perimeter and attached to the 4x4's at the base of the cage. So far I've never had an issue with raccoons...and I have raccoons. I feed raccoons, foxes and opossums on my property. I'm amazed that your coons came up to the cage with you in it. I feed my raccoons daily and if they see me they break their necks trying to get away. Only thing I can think is maybe living in town the raccoons are use to humans :dono

As far as raccoons reaching through the fence and pulling animals through...I've only heard of this happening to chickens. I've been told chickens will freeze and not move :dono I can't imagine any of my squirrels getting near the fence a raccoon is near, much less sit there and be torn apart :( Adam may have hit her face while darting around panicked. I just love that you sat out there until sunrise with her...you are a very good momma :Love_Icon

Oh and if your portal is the right size...you don't have to worry about the raccoons getting in....they can't fit through ����

Adam is very lucky to have such a devoted momma :please and I know you understand that you're blessed to have the love of a squirrel :Love_Icon

Oh and the raccoon poop (don't mind my squirrel attention span :grin3) is very scary...so far I haven't had any issues with them pooping in the yard...I have had to reroute my trail in the woods...because they have established a latrine on it :tap but after a week or two they move on :dono it's not always easy dealing with nature :thinking
When I have seen raccoons on my porch they do not seem very afraid of me. They look at me for a while and then slowly go away. If you use vinegar, which I have not tried there are some that are stronger than others. I think cleaning vinegar is stronger than regular if regular if regular vinegar does not work. I am thinking of trying vinegar if I see raccoons on my porch again. I do not feed foxes but I have had problems with them. I think I have l have lost two or more squirrels that have visited my porch to foxes. When a Fox takes a squirrel you may not be there to witness it .

[Diggie's Friend]

Diggie's friend - I have squirted water at them on Saturday with a succulent watering bottle and it amused them more than anything. Yesterday (Wednesday) I heard them coming back in the middle of the night and I remembered your suggestion about using vinegar.

Of course they would love the water, but the vinegar is like spraying urine in their faces!

Here's another thing that may help keep the raccoons out of your yard. If you have happen to have the support of male volunteers, have them give you a few large donations of their urine; this preferably from their first urine in the morning that is the greatest in amount and the strongest, for diluted urine after drinking water may not do much good. Put the urine in another spray bottle with the nozzle half way not full stream or mist, and spray the perimeter of your yard with it.

This creates an invisible barrier that sends a KEEP OUT! message to the raccoons. The problem is that you will need to renew it in a few days.
Coyote urine could be used for this purpose also; believe it or not it is sold online to use as a deterrent.
And though perhaps more effective, it might also upset your squirrel.

[Shewhosweptforest]

This is true...what happens in the woods...stays in the woods. But, I do feed them in 7 places in my woods every evening, dog food and diced apples. I feed the opossums I released on my front porch, a couple of times each evening, dog food and peanut butter sandwiches, and raccoons do come up there also :dono when I shine the light out to see if anyone's eating...or if I need to replenish the plates...the raccoons usually start heading off the porch....when I open the door, they take off. Of course, I live in the country and I'm sure a lot of people shoot them on the front porch :facepalm so that might be why they are so afraid. I love all my wildlife, and I try very hard to help them live in peace with each other. I've never found any remnants of a squirrel around my nest boxes...as others have talked about. I've watched many families grow up and leave the nest boxes. My releases have all survived...except for Sweet P, and she was hit by a car. Another release, Nougie, was injured by a squirrel attack.

The only animals I've trapped have been cats...and I take them to our no kill shelter. To me they are not part of the natural food chain...and will kill for the sport of it...like humans :sadness

[Diggie's Friend]

You can always up the strength, using 3/4 vinegar to 1/4 water.

There is a product called Critter Ridder, that won't harm the raccoons. It comes not just in a spray, but in pellets that last longer.


Critter Ridder by Havahart

It’s effective raccoon repellent with all natural organic formula that is effectively used to keep raccoons away from your property.

Cost: $16.05 Where to buy: available on Amazon

Ingredients: The product consists of all natural ingredients including piperine, capsaicin and black pepper.

How it works: This irritation sensation sends raccoons running. After a couple of visits, raccoons associate it with your garden and learn to stay away.

[Shewhosweptforest]

I do agree that predators can find weak spots and work their way in...my husband uses stainless steel screws and washers to attach the wire to the wood....and he is very generous in the amount....sometimes too much...but you can never lose being over cautious. They are at the mercy of the predator once in the cage. That's why I predator proof my boxes inside the cage....just in case. Better safe than sorry! :great

[MyBushyTail]

Questions:

- I have read on the board at many intervals that racoons do not kill/eat adult squirrels, but only squirrel babies. So is that not true?



Raccoons kill squirrels of ALL ages - happens way more often than most people think - especially to adults. Have had it happen overnights to many many of my yard squirrels - adults - juveniles - babies. The Raccoons pulled them right out of their nests or nest boxes overnight and killed them. Sometimes leaving bloody body parts or carcasses behind and other times either eating the entire squirrel or carrying it off of my property.

[Gray Squirrel]

This is true...what happens in the woods...stays in the woods. But, I do feed them in 7 places in my woods every evening, dog food and diced apples. I feed the opossums I released on my front porch, a couple of times each evening, dog food and peanut butter sandwiches, and raccoons do come up there also :dono when I shine the light out to see if anyone's eating...or if I need to replenish the plates...the raccoons usually start heading off the porch....when I open the door, they take off. Of course, I live in the country and I'm sure a lot of people shoot them on the front porch :facepalm so that might be why they are so afraid. I love all my wildlife, and I try very hard to help them live in peace with each other. I've never found any remnants of a squirrel around my nest boxes...as others have talked about. I've watched many families grow up and leave the nest boxes. My releases have all survived...except for Sweet P, and she was hit by a car. Another release, Nougie, was injured by a squirrel attack.

The only animals I've trapped have been cats...and I take them to our no kill shelter. To me they are not part of the natural food chain...and will kill for the sport of it...like humans :sadness
Sometime do not see foxes for a while but sometimes they seem to show up so fast that you do not know where they came from they hide then they charge after a squirrel. I think when it has snowed foxes may be more likely to go after squirrels. They may usually be in the woods but they do not stay there. It only takes the a sort time for foxes t to dash in and out.