[lynn P.]

Wasn't sure if this should be in Pets but they're not pets. We just realized there's a family of raccoons in our backyard. Saw the mom and 3 younger ones and luckily saw where the nest is. I went out and saw a gap under the cement sidewalk which surrounds the pool. Animal removal is very expensive so can't afford that - $100 for the 1st and $50 for each one after. I also can't be sure they won't hurt the animals. I called our local Wildlife Society and she offered some tips that might deter the mom and make her move elsewhere.

She said play music, put a bright light and put a rag soaked with ammonia near the nest. I'll try the 1st 2 for now and give it a week. If my property was large I wouldn't mind, but I'm worried about my dog getting in a confrontation. There's also Possums but the lady said they're beneficial. There are too many hiding spots for animals back there.

[seeker1950]

Those raccoons can get aggressive! Where I lived previously, they were getting into the garage and also into the trash cans. One night I sealed everything up so they couldn't get to it, and my dog (inside) was going crazy in the middle of the night. I went to the front door, and the mother and her babies were literally crawling up the bricks around the front door!
I hope you can get rid of yours!

Come on Lynn... you have room for more pets Maybe you can keep one and have it spayed/neutered and get it shots for rabies etc. Bella might like a playmate
BTW I don't know about Canadian possums but Texas possums are predators. A possum got into the neighbors chicken cage and had just about killed one of the birds before the neighbor got out there. I had to kill one last year that got after some very young kittens in the garage. I hated killing it but it was very persistent.

[lynn P.]

Thanks Seeker and George. Yes I know both of these can be viscous if cornered so I'll be sure not to let Bella in the backyard. I'll put some spot lights tomorrow and the ammonia rags. I also won't be going in the backyard at night.

No thanks George...don't think Bella would like that. I had a pet squirrel when I was a kid - raised it from a baby because it fell out of tree during a storm. Funny story - one night we had a guest who had too much to drink, so we let him crash on the sofa. He woke up with the squirrel on his chest.

Hmmm... better for the squirrel than waking up with the man on his chest

[lynn P.]

Lol I think the man must have thought he was still drunk and dreaming. I really enjoyed having that squirrel. He drank a mix of baby cereal and milk out of squirt bottle. My neighborhood isn't far from a lake and used to be a wooded area a while ago. There's also a fair amount of new home development in the surrounding areas, which means more wildlife scrambling to live. I saw a red fox across the neighbors lawn one night when I was walking Bella. I was mesmerized and surprised at the same time. Even if I had the money, I wouldn't want to call a trapper because then the babies would be alone. The Wildlife Society said there's Coyote's too - a little concerning.

[seeker1950]

The neighbors have grapes growing along my adjoining wall. One night a possum was having a nighttime snack. My daughter's Jack Russell managed to get hold of him, and he was dust after that. If felt sorry for the little possum. Those grapes are bulging right now, but the Jack Russell passed away, and my two other dogs don't seem to have the hunting instinct! I'm happy to let the little possums have a sweet snack. Thankfully, no raccoons here for now!

[spondiferous]

Good luck with the raccoon situation. I used to think they were adorable - and I still do - but I always run into them on dark nights in back alleys - what gives??? Haha...most people would be worried about muggers. I accidentally corner a raccoon by a garbage can and I'm curling up in a ball and playing dead...