## Will Raccoons Eat My Vegetable Garden?
Raccoons are common pests in many parts of the world, and they can cause extensive damage to gardens. They are attracted to a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and pet food. Raccoons are also known to dig up plants and eat the roots.
If you have a vegetable garden, it is important to take steps to protect it from raccoons. There are a number of things you can do to keep raccoons out of your garden, including:
Use fencing. A fence is the most effective way to keep raccoons out of your garden. The fence should be at least 6 feet tall and made of a sturdy material, such as wire or wood.
Remove attractants. Raccoons are attracted to food, so it is important to keep your garden free of food debris. This includes cleaning up fallen fruit and vegetables, and removing pet food from the area.
Use repellents. There are a number of commercial repellents available that can be used to keep raccoons away. These repellents typically contain ingredients that are offensive to raccoons, such as ammonia or capsaicin.
Trap and remove raccoons. If you have a raccoon problem, you can trap and remove them from your property. There are a number of different types of traps available, so it is important to choose one that is appropriate for the size of the raccoon.
## What Vegetables Do Raccoons Eat?
Raccoons are omnivorous, which means that they eat both plants and animals. They are attracted to a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and pet food. Some of the vegetables that raccoons are known to eat include:
Corn
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Squash
Beans
Peas
Carrots
Potatoes
Onions
Garlic
## How to Protect Your Vegetable Garden from Raccoons
There are a number of things you can do to protect your vegetable garden from raccoons, including:
Use fencing. A fence is the most effective way to keep raccoons out of your garden. The fence should be at least 6 feet tall and made of a sturdy material, such as wire or wood.
Remove attractants. Raccoons are attracted to food, so it is important to keep your garden free of food debris. This includes cleaning up fallen fruit and vegetables, and removing pet food from the area.
Use repellents. There are a number of commercial repellents available that can be used to keep raccoons away. These repellents typically contain ingredients that are offensive to raccoons, such as ammonia or capsaicin.
Trap and remove raccoons. If you have a raccoon problem, you can trap and remove them from your property. There are a number of different types of traps available, so it is important to choose one that is appropriate for the size of the raccoon.
### Additional Tips for Protecting Your Vegetable Garden from Raccoons
Plant radishes or marigolds around your garden. Raccoons dislike the smell of these plants, so they may be less likely to enter your garden if they are present.
Cover your compost pile. Raccoons are attracted to compost piles, so it is important to keep them covered.
Keep your trash cans closed. Raccoons can easily get into trash cans, so it is important to keep them closed.
Be aware of raccoon activity in your area. If you see raccoons in your area, it is important to take steps to protect your garden.
By following these tips, you can help to protect your vegetable garden from raccoons.