By Matt Brown
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Updated: Saturday, September 29, 2007 2:33 AM PDT
Three masked intruders with sharp objects broke into a Lodi backyard on Thursday and were about to take over the place. That's when Diane Barney and her team stepped in.
Barney trapped the invaders and sent them back to where they came from — the raccoon habitat at the Lodi Lake nature area.
Just an average day for Lodi Animal Control's animal service supervisor.
Barney's lighweight metal trap helped to ensnare the family of three furry raccoons that had overrun the resident's Orange Avenue property.
"They tore up her lawn and were swimming in her pool," Barney said. "It was like they were having a pool party."
Raccoons are becoming more of a problem in Lodi. They infest neighborhoods, terrorize pets and keep animal control officers busy.
Ed Shoup, a volunteer at the Lodi Animal Shelter, said he answers an average of two calls per day from people complaining of raccoons on their property.
"They are coming more and more into the city limits," he said.
Randy Thomas, who lives near Blakely Park in east Lodi, has a family of raccoons that visits his house a couple of times per month. Thomas said the beasts eat all the expensive koi out of his fish pond.
"They're messy eaters," he said.
Thomas, who works at Robinson's Feed in Lodi selling raccoon traps and repellents, said raccoons are more active this time of year as the weather cools down and the days are shorter.
Besides tearing up gardens and strewing garbage around yards, raccoons can be dangerous to household pets. Lodi resident John Johnson's dog recently had a run in with an aggressive raccoon on Locust Street, resulting in some nasty wounds and a $150 veterinarian bill.
"They can be pretty feisty when they feel threatened," Barney said. "They can hold their own."
She added that she has never heard of a raccoon killing a pet.
If you have a raccoon problem, the best thing to do is get a raccoon trap, put some meat inside and catch the creatures, Barney said. Then, call animal control, which will dispatch officers to transport the raccoons to their natural habitat in the Lodi Lake nature area.
"It's nice when we drop them off out there," Barney said. "You know they're going to have a good life there."
Thomas said Robinson's Feed sells quite a few traps. The small metal cages go for $64 or $3 per day to rent.
The store also has other products to keep the critters at bay. The K-9 Pet and Garden Fence Kit is a quick and easy electric fence that keeps small animals out of your yard.
Critter Ridder, a product that can be sprinkled on a yard, smells bad to raccoons and keeps them away.
Then there is the Scarecrow — a sprinkler on a stake with a motion detector. When raccoons trip the sensor, they get doused with an unpleasant spray of water and take off.
Of course, some people have told Thomas that they would rather use their shotgun next time they have a raccoon run in. But besides being illegal in the city limits, Thomas discourages weapons, preferring more humane means of dealing with the pests.
"We are in their territory," he said. "They were here first."
Raccoon problem? Some solutions
Zebra K-9 Pet and Garden Fence Kit: The kit contains everything you need to install a quick and easy electric fence around your yard. The 115-volt shocker will keep raccoons and small animals out. $49.99 at Robinson's Feed.
Contech Scarecrow: The sprinkler on a stake is connected to a motion detector. When raccoons trip the sensor, they get blasted with water and scram. $79 at Robinson's Feed.
Havahart Critter Ridder: Spray or sprinkle this product on your yard and rac coons and other pests will stay away. The product's smell and taste is irritating to animals. At Robinson's Feed.
Havahart Raccoon Trap: The lightweight metal cage allows critters to climb in, but they can't leave. Bait the trap with meat. At Robinson's Feed.
If you catch a raccoon or spot one in a neighborhood, call Lodi Animal Control: 333-6741.
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