Raccoons in your Sweet Corn?

GUNZABLAZIN · 08-01-2009, 11:43 PM

The best way that I have found to keep those little bandits out of your sweet corn patch is an electric fence around the perimeter of your patch! My sweet corn is in the field with the "field corn" about 100 ft long 12 rows wide so it isn't just a small garden patch. The first pics show it in tassel, the field corn isn't tasseling yet.

This picture shows the electric unit that we used to use to keep our hogs in the pasture field, you can buy them at any farm supply store.

Make sure that all the weeds and vegetation is away from the electric wire, or it will ground out the wire.

Oh by the way, mine was pretty hot!!! I found one of our tomcats tangled in it,dead!!!
This works for me, I have lots of family, and it only takes about a half hour to plant, and a little longer to put up the fence. Before I put up the fence, the raccoons would really tear into the corn,not an ear lost now!!!

Dakoma · 08-02-2009, 12:12 AM

Grandpa used to study where they were going into the field and put a tub of water out for them.Then he would sprinkle a little Lye on the trail into the field.They always would stick their paws (hands) into the water then step on the lye,it burns so they lick it and one dead coon or more,they can strip a field in a matter of 2 or 3 knights.Yea I know it sounds crule,but nothing or no one messed with Grandpa's sweet corn.

troy2000 · 08-02-2009, 12:16 AM

Sweet corn and coon. Yum....

Oxford · 08-02-2009, 10:37 AM

GUNZABLAZIN...Good solution! My brother did the same thing...put up an electric fence. However, he said that sometimes those critters would get shocked badly and still head on to the corn.

I don't grow corn in my small garden, and probably because of the coons it's a good reason. They do pull off tomatos, though.

Sooner Shooter · 08-02-2009, 01:34 PM

My neighbor is battling coons and possums with his corn. I think he'd be interested in this idea. How high off the ground seems to be the best?

GUNZABLAZIN · 08-02-2009, 03:23 PM

I try to keep it about 4''-6'' off the ground, low enough so they can't crawl under, but high enough the can't step over.

Sooner Shooter · 08-02-2009, 03:50 PM

Thanks! I trapped another coon for my neighbor last night. This was the third one. I'm guessing he gives them a chewing out, explains why it's wrong to eat his corn and then relocates them!

Cross Hair · 08-02-2009, 11:06 PM

We got some BIG coons living up in the old chicken operation roof system. guess with all the field corn they never have bothered my sweet corn. I think they avoid the garden area behind the house since the dog is right there.

338RUM · 08-02-2009, 11:15 PM

I have had the same problem with my gardens in the past... I sat out on my nights off and shoot the coons as they tried to enter my garden.... I got about 7 this way then they stopped coming around... or I killed all in the area.

mr mom · 08-02-2009, 11:23 PM

i had a problem with coon 1 time ... i fond this stuff called fly bait .. you put some in a small can and mix coke in it . and then you put out a pan with water. no more problem ...

Gray Wolf · 08-02-2009, 11:38 PM

The last time we had a problem with Raccoons, they were coming up on the back porch in broad daylight and eating the food we put out for the cats. And snarling at family members when they open the back door.
I went outside with a friend, and between the two of us, 5 Raccoons did not have a good day! Haven't seen one since.

Oxford · 08-10-2009, 09:41 PM

I finally caught medium sized racoon with a live animal trap, baited with tuna fish that was using my chimney flue to sleep in during days. Darned thing infested my family room floor carpet with fleas is how I finally knew something was funny. Used a strong light to look down the flue and saw those two eyes looking back up to me.

So...next morning I found it really unhappy trapped inside an animal trap on top of my bedroom dorm which was next to the flue. Called my local animal control officer who picked it up and "relocated" it somewhere, supposedly far enough that it wouldn't come back.

With that happening I immediately installed two flue caps...which have solved the problem.

Rex in OTZ · 08-18-2009, 02:01 PM

As a youngster we did the same thing and used the planter to run a strip of sweet corn on the back side the corn field ran sixteen rows just to get a taste of corn (passer's by could tell the different tassles and raid the patch by the road) we did live trap and re-located the coon (marked with orange spraypaint) the critters came back when moved 7 miles away to a different creek bottom, if your trapping them dont kill em (pelt isant prime and a shame to waste) they have to be moved further than 7 miles for shure!

Another thing is white tail deer love corn too, might want to run a top the post wire. them deer are smart and have seen them clear the top wire on a 3 strand barbed wire fence.

also ran 2 rows of popcorn as I remember.

Between the corn smutt,corn bores, possums, coon and deer and grass hoppers that corn had it tough.

JimBob · 08-18-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cross Hair

We got some BIG coons living up in the old chicken operation roof system. guess with all the field corn they never have bothered my sweet corn. I think they avoid the garden area behind the house since the dog is right there.

Coons seem to be a problem around here this year for some reason.A friend is having problems with them getting his chickens and this hasn't happened to him in ages.

hay1 · 09-03-2009, 10:53 AM

sevin dust on the ear silks will keep them off. they don't like the taste. 20 gauge shotgun works great also. they don't like the taste of buckshot, either. a big dog is a great detterant.

Clark · 09-12-2009, 09:15 AM

I have had problems with raccoons when I lived out in the sticks:
1) Getting into the hen house in the middle of the night and dragging off a hen.

Defending the hens with a flashlight and a shotgun kept me on high alert 24-7. The electric fence is better.

I have problems with raccoons now in the suburbs:
1) Nesting in a chimney. I have Stainless raccoon chimney guards now.
2) Raccoons come into the house for cat food. I put the cat food in big metal can with a tight lid. The cat is only fed as much as she can eat in a few minutes. I put a live trap on the porch, baited with a few pieces of cat food. There is no safe way to release a raccoon. Put dead raccoons in a plastic bag and put bag in the garbage can.

08-01-2009, 11:43 PM	#1
GUNZABLAZIN Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Blufton,Indiana Posts: 430	Raccoons in your Sweet Corn? The best way that I have found to keep those little bandits out of your sweet corn patch is an electric fence around the perimeter of your patch! My sweet corn is in the field with the "field corn" about 100 ft long 12 rows wide so it isn't just a small garden patch. The first pics show it in tassel, the field corn isn't tasseling yet. This picture shows the electric unit that we used to use to keep our hogs in the pasture field, you can buy them at any farm supply store. Make sure that all the weeds and vegetation is away from the electric wire, or it will ground out the wire. Oh by the way, mine was pretty hot!!! I found one of our tomcats tangled in it,dead!!! This works for me, I have lots of family, and it only takes about a half hour to plant, and a little longer to put up the fence. Before I put up the fence, the raccoons would really tear into the corn,not an ear lost now!!! __________________ Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to Fight, he'll just kill you.

08-02-2009, 12:12 AM	#2
Dakoma Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southeast Tennessee Posts: 1,135	Grandpa used to study where they were going into the field and put a tub of water out for them.Then he would sprinkle a little Lye on the trail into the field.They always would stick their paws (hands) into the water then step on the lye,it burns so they lick it and one dead coon or more,they can strip a field in a matter of 2 or 3 knights.Yea I know it sounds crule,but nothing or no one messed with Grandpa's sweet corn. Last edited by Dakoma; 08-02-2009 at 12:36 AM.

08-02-2009, 10:37 AM	#4
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 14,098 Images: 18 Blog Entries: 4	GUNZABLAZIN...Good solution! My brother did the same thing...put up an electric fence. However, he said that sometimes those critters would get shocked badly and still head on to the corn. I don't grow corn in my small garden, and probably because of the coons it's a good reason. They do pull off tomatos, though. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

08-02-2009, 01:34 PM	#5
Sooner Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,361	My neighbor is battling coons and possums with his corn. I think he'd be interested in this idea. How high off the ground seems to be the best? __________________ Save the drama for your mama!

08-02-2009, 03:23 PM	#6
GUNZABLAZIN Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Blufton,Indiana Posts: 430	I try to keep it about 4''-6'' off the ground, low enough so they can't crawl under, but high enough the can't step over. __________________ Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to Fight, he'll just kill you.

08-02-2009, 12:16 AM	#3
troy2000 Banned Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 14,554 Images: 9	Sweet corn and coon. Yum....

08-02-2009, 03:50 PM	#7
Sooner Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,361	Thanks! I trapped another coon for my neighbor last night. This was the third one. I'm guessing he gives them a chewing out, explains why it's wrong to eat his corn and then relocates them! __________________ Save the drama for your mama!

08-02-2009, 11:06 PM	#8
Cross Hair Long Tail Squirrel Hunter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Central Illinois... Middle of Nowhere Posts: 1,305	We got some BIG coons living up in the old chicken operation roof system. guess with all the field corn they never have bothered my sweet corn. I think they avoid the garden area behind the house since the dog is right there. __________________ *Most of my life I've spent hunting,... the rest of it I've just wasted*

08-02-2009, 11:15 PM	#9
338RUM Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lonaconing, MD Posts: 1,025	I have had the same problem with my gardens in the past... I sat out on my nights off and shoot the coons as they tried to enter my garden.... I got about 7 this way then they stopped coming around... or I killed all in the area.

08-02-2009, 11:23 PM	#10
mr mom Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 302	i had a problem with coon 1 time ... i fond this stuff called fly bait .. you put some in a small can and mix coke in it . and then you put out a pan with water. no more problem ...

08-02-2009, 11:38 PM	#11
Gray Wolf Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 202	The last time we had a problem with Raccoons, they were coming up on the back porch in broad daylight and eating the food we put out for the cats. And snarling at family members when they open the back door. I went outside with a friend, and between the two of us, 5 Raccoons did not have a good day! Haven't seen one since.

08-10-2009, 09:41 PM	#12
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 14,098 Images: 18 Blog Entries: 4	I finally caught medium sized racoon with a live animal trap, baited with tuna fish that was using my chimney flue to sleep in during days. Darned thing infested my family room floor carpet with fleas is how I finally knew something was funny. Used a strong light to look down the flue and saw those two eyes looking back up to me. So...next morning I found it really unhappy trapped inside an animal trap on top of my bedroom dorm which was next to the flue. Called my local animal control officer who picked it up and "relocated" it somewhere, supposedly far enough that it wouldn't come back. With that happening I immediately installed two flue caps...which have solved the problem. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

08-18-2009, 02:01 PM	#13
Rex in OTZ Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NorthWest Alaska Posts: 975	trapping coon As a youngster we did the same thing and used the planter to run a strip of sweet corn on the back side the corn field ran sixteen rows just to get a taste of corn (passer's by could tell the different tassles and raid the patch by the road) we did live trap and re-located the coon (marked with orange spraypaint) the critters came back when moved 7 miles away to a different creek bottom, if your trapping them dont kill em (pelt isant prime and a shame to waste) they have to be moved further than 7 miles for shure! Another thing is white tail deer love corn too, might want to run a top the post wire. them deer are smart and have seen them clear the top wire on a 3 strand barbed wire fence. also ran 2 rows of popcorn as I remember. Between the corn smutt,corn bores, possums, coon and deer and grass hoppers that corn had it tough.

09-03-2009, 10:53 AM	#15
hay1 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: republic of Texas Posts: 50	sevin dust on the ear silks will keep them off. they don't like the taste. 20 gauge shotgun works great also. they don't like the taste of buckshot, either. a big dog is a great detterant.

09-12-2009, 09:15 AM	#16
Clark Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 45	I have had problems with raccoons when I lived out in the sticks: 1) Getting into the hen house in the middle of the night and dragging off a hen. Defending the hens with a flashlight and a shotgun kept me on high alert 24-7. The electric fence is better. I have problems with raccoons now in the suburbs: 1) Nesting in a chimney. I have Stainless raccoon chimney guards now. 2) Raccoons come into the house for cat food. I put the cat food in big metal can with a tight lid. The cat is only fed as much as she can eat in a few minutes. I put a live trap on the porch, baited with a few pieces of cat food. There is no safe way to release a raccoon. Put dead raccoons in a plastic bag and put bag in the garbage can.