Two of the past five mornings, I found turd-like deposits on the steps of my swimming pool. Internet says this is classic behavior of a raccoon. Pool guy agrees. Any thoughts/experience in stopping this???

Options I found or thought of:
A. Trap and relocate. Not interested. Don’t want to obtain a trap, and deal with transporting a wild animal in my car. Also, do not want to repeat the process every time a new raccoon visits my yard. ( South Florida, suburbia.)
B. Fake floating alligator head. Pool guy says that this works for some, but not all, of his clients. Not interested. Internet reviews say that sunlight and chlorine destroy these products pretty quickly. Don’t want to buy a replacement every three months. They run $35 and up, and are supposedly not well made.
C. Critter Pricker plastic spike pads. Internet reviews give me hope that these would work, but to create a barrier one foot deep, spanning the zone near the steps, I would need about fifteen square feet of these, which would run about $240. I prefer a cheaper solution.
D. Cat Scat Mat plastic spike mat. Internet reviews say that these work against cats, but not raccoons.
E. Bird spikes. Might take some trial and error to design and build some support structure that holds the bird spikes securely, and actually stops the raccoons from crossing the barrier. Not interested in a science project.
F. Motion activated light and/or sound. Don’t want to bother my neighbors. And not convinced that lights would deter all raccoons.
G. Safety net fence around pool. Have this in my shed. Pool guy says that a determined raccoon will readily climb these fences. And don’t want to compromise the ability of the lawn crew to blow the debris off my patio.

#C is looking like my best option unless someone has a better idea. Anyone?

Thanks.

 

Stewart, welcome to the forum. You're probably right about the raccoon, particularly since the activity seems to be at the steps. I have two suggestions for you to try in this order. First, put a tarp along the perimeter of the pool in the area of the steps so the raccoon must walk on the tarp to get to the steps. Lay the tarp loosely so it crinkles when the raccoon walks on it and secure the tarp with bricks or something similar. Try to cover the steps, as well.

If the tarp doesn't work, I suggest hiring a professional.

 

Raccoons are intelligent and resourceful. I'm skeptical that anything other than physical removal of a live/dead raccoon will be successful. We have friends in Florida areas and raccoons are prolific and problematic. It's not your or anyone's fault, but unfortunately it's your property and eventual responsibility. Trapping, by your effort or a pro, is probably the eventual, but on going solution. Here in PA, licensed trappers are required to euthanize raccoons due to the occurrence of rabies in them. If you or a friend/neighbor should try trapping, I'd learn if the regulations apply to homeowners as well.

 

I agree that the most likely way to get rid of this problem is just that.... you got to get rid of it.

You may be able to pick up a live trap at a pawn shop rather than buying a new one if investment is an issue. I actually borrowed one to trap a raccoon once. Maybe a buddy at work or a relative can trap it & remove it for you.
Just set the trap, put it down where he goes, put some peanut butter on a piece of cardboard or something small, all the way in the back so the coon will go all the way into the trap. Once it springs, it does not harm the animal in any way. He's simply contained.
You may want to throw an old blanket or something over it so he wont be a scared. He'll think he is hidden etc. The trap will have a handle on it & just tote it away & release him a few miles away in a wooded area, hopefully near a stream, creek or body of water of some sort.

 

A. Trap and relocate.

That's exactly what you'll need to do. I had to buy a trap and have relocated several from my pool.
They climb on the cover. Drag dirt all over.

I've never had this problem in 45 years.
Just bought a new cover too.

 

Thank you for all the help.

Before I trap and relocate, I am trying out a simple deterrent that the internet pretty consistently says is very effective against raccoons - Epsom salt. It is said that raccoons hate the odor. I placed two open containers filled with Epsom salt near the pool steps, in a makeshift weatherproof station. So far (three nights) it has been effective.

 

Status update, for the interested …

Another seven nights has gone by with the Epsom salt containers near the steps, and still no raccoon pooping.

 

Hmmmmm..... I may give that a try. Let you know if I do.

 

Here’s a disappointing update …

Found a deposit of poop this morning on the top step. I am abandoning the Epsom salt project. It is not effective enough for me.