Racoons
Okay- this does not have to do with home renovation, but a hammer is involved. I heard a ruckus on the front porch and I know that the raccoons have been having some late night parties on our porch so I went to look out the window. I saw a couple of raccoons checking to see if there was any left over cat food for them. So I opened the front door hoping to scare them away, but instead I saw three raccoons staring right back at me so I closed the door, went downstairs and got Nick. He said, "I'll get them!" and grabbed a hammer from the shop. I told him he couldn't hurt them, and to not get hurt himself as he headed out to the porch. (I don't know why, but I'm a bit afraid of raccoons, unless there's a window or door between them and me- I think it has to do from when they killed two kittens that I had once.) Anyways, Nick also grabbed a broom on his way out and there were at least five raccoons on the porch. He started swinging the broom at them and had to swat a couple to get them to leave. He didn't use the hammer. Then they climbed the large cedar tree in the front yard (I didn't know they climbed trees!) and Nick proceeded to spray them with the hose. I then let the cats in the house from the back door, even though they do just fine protecting themselves, and I brought in their food and water bowls. I guess it's past time to start using the cat door that Nick's dad re-installed for us a long time ago. It is a magnetic door, so the raccoons wouldn't be able to get in. Do you think if I keep the food inside they'll stay away? Anything other ideas that you have that might work to keep them away? I think they're cute animals, but I really don't like them except in pictures. And if they figure out how to get from the tree to our roof, I'll be really mad!