I have very cute young raccoons coming around & eating my birdseed, which I don't mind at all - but I don't want them getting into my vegetable garden! However, I don't want to hurt them - any ideas?

There is a product I used that is called Ropel. It is a liquid that you can spray on the bird seed, it has a bitter taste and generally raccoons do not like it. The birds will not be affected. Ropel should be available at your local Garden Centre.

a 303!!! If you aim right it won't hurt them a bit!!LOL

Cayenne or red pepper.

Please do not use the pepper suggestion. I have heard it gets in animals eyes and hurts like hell! Stories have circulated about animals scratching their eyes out because of the pain. It is a very nasty remedy!

Check out scarecrowinfo.com. Information on a motion-activated sprinkler. I bought mine at Lee Valley Tools in Edmonton. Works like a charm to keep cats from under my bird feeders.

I have found that if they have food, they don't really go other places. i use to have problems with opposums getting into my garage to eat the dog and cat food and when i kept the bird feeders full, they never went to look for more food. i have read that hanging chirstmas lights, the blinking kind, will keep them out of your garden. also, you can lay crumbled newspaper on the ground between the rows. Good Luck. you are lucky to be able to see these beauties! also...there is a great book out that helps with all garden problems. "Backyard Problem Solver" by Jerry Baker. it has tons of solutions to a lot of different problems, including other critters!

Our paper had an article saying amonia poured on cat litter interfered with their sense of smell - so if they can't smell food they won't come visiting.....

Try connecting a radio to a motion detector. Every time the racoon goes by the garden, the radio will start and hopefully scare it away.