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Do Raccoons Eat Bird Seed? 15 Ways To Deter!

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Raccoons are opportunistic eaters and will consume almost anything they come across. Do raccoons eat bird seed? While raccoons typically prefer fruits, nuts, and other small animals, they will happily munch on bird seed if given a chance. So, if you’re trying to keep raccoons away from your bird feeder, it’s best to remove any spilled seed and keep the area clean.

Raccoons are known for their “washing” habits. They will often dip their food in water before eating it. You may often see raccoons near your bird bath or other water sources. While it’s unclear why they do this, some believe that it could be to soften their food or add moisture to their diet.

Do Raccoons Eat Bird Seed?

Yes, they will if given a chance but typically prefer fruits, nuts, and other small animals. If you have a bird feeder, it’s best to remove any spilled seed and keep the area clean to prevent raccoons from raiding it.

Raccoons diet mostly opportunistically, which means they will eat anything they come across. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, small animals, and bird seed are all fair game for these omnivores. While most of their diet revolves around plants and animals, raccoons are known to eat just about anything.

do raccoons eat bird seed
Raccoons loves to eat sunflower seeds

You might see raccoons near your bird feeder because of their “washing” habits. Before eating, raccoons will often dip their food in water – whether it’s from a river, stream, or even just a puddle. Scientists aren’t sure why they do this, but one theory is that they’re either trying to soften their food or add moisture to their diet.

Either way, if you’re trying to keep raccoons away from your bird feeder, it’s best to take precautions and remove any spilled seed or food. Keeping the area clean will also help deter them from coming back.

However, keep in mind that raccoons are opportunistic eaters and will consume just about anything. So, even if you take these precautions, there’s no guarantee that they won’t still try to raid your bird feeder.

How To Keep Raccoons Away From Bird Seeds?

Raccoons will happily munch on bird seed if given a chance, so it’s best to take precautions to prevent them from raiding your feeder. Here are a few tips:

1.Refill Seed Daily:

Raccoons are more likely to raid a feeder with spilled seed on the ground, so it’s important to refill it daily. To help you determine how much seed to add, check the feeder for spills after each refill. This way, you can add more seeds as needed.

2.Keep The Area Clean:

As mentioned previously, raccoons are attracted to seeds on the ground, so it’s important to keep the area around the feeder clean. This means sweeping up any spilled seed and removing any accumulated debris or garbage.

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

If you have a pole-style feeder, make it difficult for raccoons to climb by adding a barrier around the base. This could be anything from chicken wire to PVC pipe. Just make sure that it’s tall enough that they can’t reach over it and that it’s securely attached to the ground.

4.Install A Squirrel Baffle:

If you have a hanging feeder, raccoons will be able to reach it if they can climb the pole or tree that it’s attached to. To prevent this, install a squirrel baffle on the pole or tree. This circular piece of metal or plastic surrounds the feeder and makes it difficult for animals to climb past.

5.Use A Motion-Activated Sprinkler:

Another way to keep raccoons away from your bird feeder is to use a motion-activated sprinkler. The sprinkler will turn on when the sensor is triggered and startle the raccoon. This will deter them from coming back and protect your feeder from being raided.

6.Check The Location Of Your Feeders:

If you have multiple bird feeders, make sure they’re not too close together. Raccoons will often raid several feeders at once, so it’s important to keep them spaced out. This will make it more difficult for them to get to all of the seeds and deter them from coming back.

7.Use A Raccoon-Proof Feeder:

You can invest in a raccoon-proof feeder if you’re really serious about keeping raccoons away from your bird feeder. These are designed to keep raccoons out while still allowing birds to eat. They typically have a weight-activated perch that closes the opening when a raccoon tries to sit on it. While there’s no guarantee that a raccoon-proof feeder will keep them away, it’s worth a try if you’re having trouble with them raiding your feeder.

8.Use A Repellent Spray:

There are a few different types of repellent sprays that you can use to keep raccoons away from your bird feeder. These contain ingredients that raccoons don’t like, such as hot pepper or citronella. When they smell it, it’ll deter them from coming near.

9.Remove Your Bird Feeders Before Night Fall:

One way to keep raccoons away from your bird feeders is to remove them before nightfall. This will prevent them from being able to access the seed and will deter them from trying.

10.Don’t Tempt Raccoons Into Your Yard:

If you have a garbage can with an open lid, it will attract raccoons. To prevent this, ensure that your garbage can is covered and that the lid is secure. You should also avoid leaving pet food outside, which will attract them to your yard.

do raccoons eat bird seed
A raccoon is looking for bird seeds.

11.Consider Trapping The Raccoon:

If you have a raccoon causing problems, you may want to consider trapping it. This is the best way to remove them from your property and prevent them from coming back. Just be sure to check with your local wildlife authorities before doing so, as there may be laws prohibiting it.

12.Use A Caged Feeder:

If you’re having trouble with raccoons raiding your bird feeder, you can try using a caged feeder. This will allow birds to eat while keeping raccoons out. The cage should be made of metal or wire and should be big enough for the birds to get in and out easily but small enough that raccoons can’t fit through.

13.Clean Up The Area Around Your Feeder:

If there’s a lot of debris around your bird feeder, it will attract raccoons. To prevent this, clean up any fallen seeds and keep the area around your feeder free of garbage.

14.Make Sure Your Bird Feeder Is Secure:

Raccoons are strong and agile, so they can easily knock over a bird feeder if it’s not securely attached. Ensure that your feeder is firmly attached to a pole or tree to prevent this. You should also check that the pole or tree is sturdy and won’t topple over if the feeder is knocked off.

15.Call In The Professionals:

If you’re having trouble with raccoons and can’t seem to get them under control, you may want to call in the professionals. Some companies specialize in nuisance wildlife control and will be able to help you get rid of the raccoons on your property.

While there’s no surefire way to keep raccoons away from your bird feeder, following these tips will help reduce the chances of raiding it.

Wrapping Up

The best way to keep raccoons away from your bird feeder is to take precautions and remove any spilled seed or food. Keeping the area clean will also help deter them from coming back. However, keep in mind that raccoons are opportunistic eaters and will consume just about anything, so even if you take these precautions, there’s no guarantee that they won’t still try to raid your feeder.

You can also read:

Do Rats Eat Bird Seed? Stop Attracting Rats!

Do Rabbits Eat Bird Seed? The Truth!

Can Ducks Eat Bird Seed? Facts To Know

Can Dogs Eat Bird Seed? Things To Know

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