Set a raccoon-sized cage trap—roughly 10 × 12 × 32 or 12 × 12 × 36 inches—on level ground beside the animal’s entry point or damage site, bait behind the trigger pan, anchor it, and check it every day.
A raccoon that keeps returning to the same porch, attic vent, or trash bin follows a routine, and a trap set anywhere else just feeds the neighborhood. The catch is that most of the rules that decide whether this works are legal, not mechanical—Connecticut, New York City, and Pennsylvania all publish requirements that trip people up after the raccoon is already in the cage.
Placement, Baiting, And Mechanism Checks
Position the trap tight against the opening, den entrance, or damage site where the raccoon already travels, because coverage from a wall, woodpile, or fence line is what makes the cage look safe to enter. Trapping at night and closing down in the morning cuts down on cats, opossums, and skunks wandering in.
- Trap size: The cage must be long enough for a full-grown raccoon to enter, turn around, and stay contained. Common dimensions run about 10 × 12 × 32 inches and 12 × 12 × 36 inches.
- Position: Level ground, immediately beside the entry hole or damage spot—never an open lawn or a random corner of the yard.
- Stability: Anchor or weight the cage so the animal can’t tip or drag it. Clear vegetation around the door so it can swing fully shut.
- Bait: Put the main bait at the very back, past the trigger pan. Scatter small pieces toward the entrance—not on the pan—so the raccoon commits before it steps. Fishy or fruity smells work, along with marshmallows, sunflower seeds, white bread, and watermelon.
- Testing: Trip the pan by hand before you walk away. The door should close and lock, and the pan shouldn’t fire from wind, leaves, or a light touch.
- Timing: Refresh bait every two days if nothing has entered.
If you’d rather compare models before spending money, this roundup of the best raccoon trap cages covers size and door-latch differences that matter for a full-grown animal.
Check Your State’s Rules Before You Set Anything
Trapping a raccoon is regulated almost everywhere, and the restrictions that matter most are about what you’re allowed to do with the animal after it’s caught. Connecticut prohibits relocating a trapped raccoon and requires either on-site release or humane euthanasia by specified means, plus daily trap checks and an identification tag bearing the trapper’s name. New York City requires licensed trappers to humanely euthanize trapped raccoons and bans releasing them into parks or other public property. Pennsylvania’s wildlife agency advises contacting the regional wildlife office before trapping and requires daily inspections.
The pattern holds across most states: moving a raccoon to a park, a farm, or “the woods” is often illegal without written authorization, even though it feels like the kind thing to do. Decide your disposition plan before the trap is set, not while a raccoon is staring at you through the wire. Two more rules worth locking in first: check for dependent young before trapping, since removing a nursing mother orphans the litter, and confirm every animal has left before sealing an entry hole—loosely covering the opening and waiting until the cover sits undisturbed for three to four days is a reasonable test, except in the dead of winter.
| Step | What Goes Wrong | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cage size | Too small for a full-grown raccoon to turn or stand | Use a cage around 10 × 12 × 32 or 12 × 12 × 36 inches |
| Location | Set away from the active route or opening | Set right beside the damage site, den entrance, or travel lane |
| Bait position | Bait in front of the trigger pan | Main bait behind the pan, small trail pieces toward the door |
| Cage stability | Animal tips or drags the unsecured cage | Anchor or weight it; clear the door swing |
| Check schedule | Left unchecked for days | Inspect at least once daily; Connecticut and Pennsylvania require it |
| Disposition | Relocating the raccoon to a park or rural land | Confirm local law first—relocation is widely prohibited |
| Young present | Trapping a mother with kits nearby | Check for dependent young before setting the cage |
Handling A Captive Raccoon Without Getting Hurt
Raccoons are a rabies-vector species, so hands, face, and limbs stay away from the cage—no petting, no casual lifting, no ungloved reach toward the door. Public health and animal-control authorities are the people to call if a person or pet gets bitten or scratched, and the animal may need rabies testing.
When a lawful on-site release is the plan, draping a towel over the cage creates a visual barrier that calms the animal, heavy gloves protect your hands, and opening the door without shaking or tilting the cage keeps the raccoon moving away instead of toward you. Never release an obviously sick, injured, or unusually aggressive raccoon without professional direction. Transport, if it’s allowed at all, exposes you to bites and scratches—another reason the disposition question belongs at the front of this project, not the end.
Common Questions
Does the trap have to kill the raccoon?
No. A live cage trap holds the animal unharmed, which is why it’s the common choice for homeowners. What happens next is the legal question: many states require on-site release or humane euthanasia by an approved method, and some, including Connecticut and New York City, prohibit relocation outright.
How often should I check a set trap?
At least once every day, ideally each morning. Connecticut requires daily checks and a tag with the trapper’s name, and Pennsylvania requires daily inspections as well. Daily checks also protect the animal from heat, cold, rain, and stress, and let you release non-target animals quickly.
What food works best as raccoon bait?
Place the main bait at the rear of the cage, past the trigger pan, so the raccoon steps on the pan to reach it.
Sources
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. “Problems with Raccoons” Covers cage placement beside the damage site, daily checks, identification tags, and the state’s ban on relocation.
- NYC WildlifeNYC. “Raccoons” States that licensed trappers must humanely euthanize trapped raccoons and cannot release them on public property.
- Pennsylvania Game Commission. “Nuisance Wildlife” Advises contacting the regional wildlife office before trapping and requires daily trap inspection.