Raccoon Under the Deck: How to Get It Out Before Winter

To get a raccoon out from under a deck, confirm it is a raccoon, make the space uncomfortable with light and noise for a few nights, and seal the opening only after you are sure it has left. Late fall is the time to act, before it settles in for winter.

A deck is one of the most popular den sites around a house. It is dry, dark, close to the back door, and usually surrounded by lattice or skirting that a raccoon can pull apart with its front paws. The good news is that most raccoons under a deck can be moved along without ever touching them.

How do you know it is a raccoon under the deck?

Start with what it leaves behind. Raccoons tend to make a large, torn-up gap in lattice or skirting rather than a neat round hole. In soft soil near the opening you may see tracks that look like small human hands, with five long toes on the front feet. Droppings near the entrance, or a raccoon latrine on top of the deck boards, are another clue.

Other animals use decks too. A skunk usually digs a clean burrow under the edge and leaves a musky smell. An opossum tends to slip in through an existing gap and leaves little sign at all. If you are not sure, sprinkle a thin layer of flour in front of the opening at dusk and read the tracks in the morning.

Why do raccoons pick decks in fall?

In fall, raccoons are eating heavily and looking for a place to spend the colder months. A deck checks every box: shelter from wind and rain, a quiet dark space, and food close by. Trash cans by the garage, a pet bowl on the patio, spilled bird seed, and grill drippings all make your yard a convenient stop. Once a raccoon finds a weak spot in the skirting, it can widen a small gap in a single night.

How do you get it to leave?

The goal is to make the space less comfortable than its other options, then close the door behind it.

• Remove the food nearby: Bring in pet food, secure trash with tight lids, and clean up seed and grease. Without a food reason to stay, the den is less attractive.
• Add light under the deck at night: A work light or outdoor lamp aimed into the space makes it feel exposed.
• Add noise during the evening: A radio tuned to a talk station near the opening adds human sounds that raccoons avoid.
• Loosely block the hole: Stuff crumpled newspaper or leaves into the opening. If it is pushed out overnight, something is still going in and out.
• Seal only after two quiet nights: When the plug stays in place for two nights in a row, the animal has likely moved on.

Be patient. It can take several nights of disruption before a raccoon decides another spot is better. Never seal an opening while an animal may still be inside.

How do you seal the deck so it stays out?

Once the space is empty, seal it properly. Sturdy hardware cloth along the skirting works far better than lattice alone. Bury the bottom edge a short way into the ground and bend it outward in an L shape so anything that tries to dig at the base runs into mesh. Check every side of the deck, including the stairs and the side against the house, not just the hole you found. Raccoons are persistent and will test the next weak spot.

When should you trap instead?

Trapping makes sense when the raccoon will not leave, keeps returning after you seal one gap, or is damaging the house itself. Check local regulations first, since rules on trapping and relocating raccoons vary by state and city. If you trap, keep in mind that a trap set by a deck is easy to forget. It sits out of sight, and a neighbor's cat may find the bait before the raccoon does. You need to know right away when the door closes, both for the animal's sake and so you can reset quickly.

How does OcuTrap help with a raccoon under the deck?

OcuTrap sends a real-time photo alert the moment an animal is caught, so you know immediately whether you caught the raccoon or a neighbor's cat. If it is a non-target, you can release it from the app without walking out to the trap. Because OcuTrap uses cellular connectivity, it works at the far end of the deck or the back fence even where your home Wi-Fi does not reach.

Get the deck back before winter and never leave a caught animal waiting under the boards. See how it works at ocutrap.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a raccoon leave from under a deck on its own?

Often, yes. Raccoons use several den sites, and if the space under your deck becomes noisy, bright, and far from easy food, many will move to another spot within a few nights. The key is removing food around the yard and confirming the animal is gone before sealing the opening, so nothing gets trapped inside.

What is the best material to keep raccoons out from under a deck?

Sturdy galvanized hardware cloth is the most common choice because raccoons can tear through thin lattice and plastic mesh. Attach it along the skirting, bury the bottom edge, and bend it outward in an L shape to stop digging. Cover every side of the deck, including the stairs and the side against the house.

How can I tell if a raccoon or a skunk is under my deck?

Raccoons usually tear a large, ragged gap in lattice or skirting and leave hand-like tracks with long toes. Skunks tend to dig a neat burrow at the edge and leave a musky smell. A thin layer of flour in front of the opening at dusk will show you clear tracks by morning.

Is it safe to put a light under the deck to scare a raccoon?

A standard outdoor work light or lamp rated for outdoor use is a common, low-cost way to make the space feel exposed. Keep cords and fixtures away from dry leaves and debris, and use it alongside other steps like removing food and adding noise, rather than relying on light alone.