Do Raccoons Eat Bird Seed? 15 Ways To Deter!

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Due to their opportunistic eating habits, raccoons will eat nearly anything they come upon. Raccoons eat bird seed, though. Raccoons will cheerfully eat bird seed if given the chance, despite the fact that they normally prefer fruits, nuts, and other small animals. In order to prevent raccoons from accessing your bird feeder, it is best to pick up any spilled seed and maintain a tidy environment.

It is well known that raccoons like to “wash” their fur. Before eating, they frequently dip their food in water. Raccoons may frequently be spotted close to your bird bath or other water features. It’s unclear why they do this, however some suggest that it might be to hydrate themselves or soften their food.

Do Raccoons Eat Bird Seed?

Yes, if given the opportunity, however they usually like fruits, nuts, and other small creatures. To stop raccoons from looting your bird feeder, it’s important to wipe up any spilled seed and maintain a tidy environment around it.

Raccoons often follow an opportunistic diet, meaning they’ll consume anything they come upon. These omnivores will eat anything, including seeds for birds, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and small animals. Raccoons are recognized for eating a wide variety of foods, although plants and animals make up the majority of their diet.

Because of the way raccoons “wash,” you might spot them close to your bird feeder. Raccoons frequently dip their food into water before eating, whether it comes from a river, stream, or even just a puddle. Although scientists don’t fully understand why they do this, one theory suggests that they may be attempting to either soften or add moisture to their feed.

In either case, it’s advisable to take precautions and clean up any spilt seed or food if you want to keep raccoons away from your bird feeder. Keeping the space tidy will aid in preventing their return.

Raccoons are opportunistic eaters, so bear that in mind. They’ll eat just about anything. Therefore, there is no assurance that they won’t attempt to rob your bird feeder even if you take these safeguards.

How To Keep Raccoons Away From Bird Seeds?

1.Refill Seed Daily:

It’s crucial to replenish the feeder each day since raccoons are more likely to rob one that has spilled seed on the ground. After each refill, examine the feeder for spills to help you decide how much seed to add. You can add more seeds if necessary in this manner.

2.Keep The Area Clean:

Raccoons are drawn to seeds on the ground, as was previously noted, thus it’s crucial to keep the area surrounding the feeder tidy. This entails cleaning up any spilt seed and getting rid of any waste or clutter that has developed.

3.Make It Harder For Raccoons To Climb Your Feeder Pole:

If you have a pole-style feeder, add a barrier around the base to make it challenging for raccoons to climb. This might be anything from PVC pipe to chicken wire. Just make sure it’s tied to the ground firmly and that it’s tall enough so that they can’t reach over it.

4.Install A Squirrel Baffle:

If raccoons can scale the pole or tree that your hanging feeder is tied to, they can get to it. Install a squirrel baffle on the pole or tree to stop this. Animals find it challenging to climb past the feeder because of this ring of metal or plastic that surrounds it.

5.Use A Motion-Activated Sprinkler:

A motion-activated sprinkler is another approach to keep raccoons away from your bird feeder. When the sensor is triggered, the sprinkler will activate, startling the raccoon. This will stop them from returning and prevent a raid on your feeder.

6.Check The Location Of Your Feeders:

Make sure the bird feeders are not too near to one another if you have several. It’s crucial to separate out your feeders because raccoons frequently raid many at once. This will make it harder for them to access all of the seeds and discourage them from returning.

7.Use A Raccoon-Proof Feeder:

If you’re truly committed to keeping raccoons away from your bird feeder, you can spend money on a raccoon-proof feeder. These are made to prevent raccoon entry while yet enabling bird feeding. They often have a weight-activated perch that, when a raccoon tries to sit on it, closes the entrance. Even while there is no assurance that a raccoon-proof feeder would deter raccoons from looting your feeder, it’s worth a shot if you’re experiencing problems with them.

8.Use A Repellent Spray:

You can use a variety of repellent sprays to prevent raccoons from approaching your bird feeder. These have components that repel raccoons, like citronella and spicy pepper. They won’t approach if they smell it, so far.

9.Remove Your Bird Feeders Before Night Fall:

You can deter raccoons from your bird feeders by taking them down before dusk. This will make it impossible for them to get the seed and discourage them from attempting.

10.Don’t Tempt Raccoons Into Your Yard:

Raccoons will come near your garbage can if the lid is left open. Make sure your trash can is covered and the lid is tightly fastened to avoid this. Leaving pet food outside should also be avoided because it will draw pests to your yard.

11.Consider Trapping The Raccoon:

Consider catching a raccoon if it is causing problems in your home. The easiest approach to get them off your property and keep them from returning is to do this. Just be sure to double-check with your neighborhood wildlife authorities beforehand, as there might be rules against it.

12.Use A Caged Feeder:

Try utilizing a caged feeder if you’re having issues with raccoons raiding your bird feeder. Raccoons will be kept out while birds can eat. The cage should be made of metal or wire, be easy for the birds to enter and exit, and be the right size so that raccoons cannot squeeze through.

13.Clean Up The Area Around Your Feeder:

Raccoons will be drawn to your bird feeder if there is a lot of rubbish present. Clean up any dropped seeds and keep the area surrounding your feeder clear of trash to avoid this.

14.Make Sure Your Bird Feeder Is Secure:

Raccoons are powerful and quick, so if a bird feeder is not firmly fixed, they can easily tip it over. To avoid this, make sure your feeder is tightly fastened to a pole or tree. Additionally, make sure that the pole or tree won’t fall over if the feeder is knocked off.

15.Call In The Professionals:

You might wish to hire experts if you’re having trouble with raccoons and can’t manage to control them. You can get rid of the raccoons on your property with the assistance of several businesses that specialize in nuisance wildlife removal.

Although there isn’t a foolproof strategy to prevent raccoons from stealing your bird feeder, using these suggestions will help.