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Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

Racoons living under the house. Actually under the bath tub in that little area at the slanted end. They seem to have set up residence in the area under the end of the tub. I added on to the house and was slow to put the screens in. I put them in now but left one open where I put newspaper in the hole so I know they leave each night. I looked under there and saw one baby about the size of a football. They don't smell (yet) and aren't really causing any problems except my wife can hear them. I want them gone but excluding the mother will lead to a stinky dead baby and a very angry mother. I know trapping would work but since the baby is not mobile that is an issue. Would repellent work to move them both out? Will they leave once the baby is able? If they will leave and not come back, I guess I can wait.

I put a crumpled newspaper in the hole each night and they push it out each night. Hopefully one day the paper will stop being pushed out for several days in a row and that will tell me they are gone and I can put in the last screen and exclude them for good.

Lastly (I guess it should have been firstly), are they bad for pumpkins? Haven't seen any action and know they like grubs better (none in the patch due to Merit and Bifenthrin) but....

Anyone been through this or have the answer?

Thanks

6/30/2006 7:53:26 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I think we just found the cause of the Springtail issue. LOL

We don't need an exterminator so much as a crawl space expert to seal your living space from that damp Raccoon & Springtail harboring crawl space. This is more important than some troublesome critters might suggest. Sooner or later, mold spores will infiltrate the living space & then the real trouble begins.

6/30/2006 10:02:26 PM

Western NY

i'm not sure how it is out in CA, but coons are a major rabies vector here in NY. i'd trap and get them out of the area soon. a kid gets nipped and someone is getting post exposure shots if you can't immediately capture the coon.

6/30/2006 10:07:35 PM

Eau Claire, WI

Coons are easy to trap (live trap or otherwise). They love marshmellows for bait (a little mollasses on the marshmellow for an atractant is even better). One time we discovered a whole family living under our deck. I went in the upstairs bedroom and tossed marshmellows out into the yard and one by one they ran out only to find themselves in my .22 caliber rifle sights. It was a little messy but I got rid of the whole clan in about 5 minutes. I agree with Andy, these are dangerous animals around kids and they have no fear.

6/30/2006 10:46:25 PM

Wichita, KS

I have driven them and possums out of my crawlspace in years with a simple method;

fill several cereal bowls with ammonia in the crawlspace. The odor drives them out, never to return... unless you forget to permanently block your hole. Also, I have had some return and pull the screen back with their blasted paws. You might want to make sure you either reinforce your screen with another layer or get really heavy screen.

7/1/2006 12:47:13 AM

Wichita, KS

in years past. years past. I always forget to proof read my text.

7/1/2006 12:48:19 AM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

Oh don't worry, holes are all blocked except that one. Ammonia is a good idea and I will try it out. I can put bowls of it under there and it is easy to get to sort of. WIll keep doing the paper in the hole to see if they leave for "good" or keep coming in and out. Once I see no activity for several days, I will seal it up too.

Tremor - Does it really encourage springtails?

7/1/2006 2:35:36 AM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

Just put the ammonia under the tub and whew! what a stench. and I may have "spilled" a bit of it around as well. Can't hurt I suppose.

7/1/2006 2:58:34 AM

ENGLAND

Just get Alun J to come over and deal with your Racoon problem, he is real good at killing them, he just drives a car right at them. LOL

7/1/2006 10:21:18 AM

Northern California/Coastal/Bay Area

They eat the tips of the vines.
Put flour outside the hole at night. See which way the footprints lead and you will know if they are gone or inside.
Good luck!

7/1/2006 11:10:38 PM