Pet food and garbage cans offer plentiful and tasty meals. Decks, attics, garages, basements and woodpiles provide housing. Secure vent screens when the animal is out at night. Always check for babies. If there are babies, place them outside the entrance.
Raccoons enter through open doors or pet doors.
Close the door when the raccoon has left. Keep your pets in for a few nights and secure the pet door. Put cayenne pepper or Clorox soaked rags around the entrance to discourage the raccoon. Do not leave pet food down at night. If the raccoon is digging in your lawn, check with a nursery near you for a fungus and insect control treatment.