The Annual Racoon Challenge

Our backyard has been designed to intentionally create an outdoor room that is comfortable, welcoming and connected to nature.  My husband designed and built our deck, then integrated a small pond into one corner of the space.  This mini-pond, with lily pads in the summer, miniature cattails all fall, and two very hardy goldfish who have just recently surfaced from their winter hibernation, is our respite in the middle of suburbia.  While we can see other houses, most times they blur into the background and the plants, pond, and comfy seating allow us to escape a little. 

Recently, though, our backyard and the pond, in particular, have become a warzone - it's us against the raccoon, who seems to also enjoy the plants and other interesting things to be found in this tiny water habitat.  This morning, my husband growled as he glanced out the window, seeing the water splashed around the pond, lily pad roots dug up and chewed, and the pond filter completely submerged

In past years we have tried many (some creative) ways to deter the raccoon from enjoying our pond. My favorite has been the water sprayer on a motion sensor - except I regularly forget to turn it off and get sprayed as I head to the porch with my morning coffee.  None have been permanent though.  This evening, my husband headed to Home Depot with an idea for another strategy.  Returning home with a confident smile on his face, he showed me his purchase, and I'm hopeful it might work. 

Right now, the pond is surrounded by bird spikes, you know, those things to keep birds out of your gutters or off of the roof spaces where you don't want them to sit.  The spikes, attached to a plastic anchor, will need to be attached to some wood to truly deter the raccoon.  For right now, having them sitting there makes us both feel like the pond is protected, even just a little bit better. 

If this doesn't work...I may have to resort to drastic measures...

How's your aim?