Table of Contents
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) can generate 15 pounds of upward prying force with their dexterous forepaws, making flimsy fencing useless. The industry standard for stopping them is hardware cloth with 1/2 inch mesh combined with double-latch mechanisms on all access points. This guide covers the 7 best fencing and exclusion products that actually keep raccoons out, from ground barriers to chimney caps.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Content is AI assisted and expert verified. Product recommendations based on testing and research.
Key Takeaways
- 1/2 inch mesh is the raccoon proof standard: Raccoons can reach through larger mesh sizes. Hardware cloth with 1/2 inch openings blocks entry while allowing ventilation.
- Exclusion plus repellents delivers the best results: Physical barriers stop raccoons from entering, while scent and taste deterrents discourage testing and exploration.
- Chimney caps and vent covers prevent attic entry: Raccoons exploit roofline vulnerabilities. Properly installed chimney caps and vent covers seal the most common overhead access points.
- Galvanized hardware cloth lasts years outdoors: 12-gauge galvanized wire resists rust, UV damage, and chewing better than plastic or welded wire alternatives.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Material | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gartist Hardware Cloth 1/2 x 100 ft | Hardware Cloth | 19 GA Galvanized Steel | Best Hardware Cloth | Amazon |
| 19 Gauge Black Hardware Cloth 1/2 x 4 x 100 ft | Hardware Cloth | 19 GA Black Coated Steel | Best Value Mesh | Amazon |
| Anti-Climb Spikes 2 Pack | Anti-Climb Spikes | Stainless Steel | Best Anti-Climb | Amazon |
| OWDE 5 Inch One Way Door Excluder | Exclusion Door | Galvanized Steel | Best Exclusion Door | Amazon |
| Stanbroil 19 x 19 Inch Chimney Cap | Chimney Cap | Galvanized Steel | Best Chimney Cap | Amazon |
| 304 SS Mesh Vent Cap 1.97 Inch | Vent Cover | 304 Stainless Steel | Best Vent Cover | Amazon |
| Dig Defence Original Animal Barrier Fence 6 Pack | Ground Barrier | Heavy Duty Polymer | Best Ground Barrier | Amazon |
Best Raccoon Proof Fencing and Exclusion Products
1. Gartist 1/2 x 100 ft Hardware Cloth 19 GA (Best Hardware Cloth)
Material upgrade: Gartist hardware cloth adopts a double galvanizing process, which first uses galvanized steel wire to weld into a wire mesh, and then hot-dip galvanizing...
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) rely on their dexterous forepaws, which have four times the tactile sensitivity of human hands, to manipulate latches, pull at seams, and pry open gaps. The Gartist 1/2 inch x 100 ft hardware cloth is built specifically to defeat that ability. At 19-gauge galvanized steel with 1/2 inch mesh openings, it blocks raccoon entry while remaining flexible enough to cut and shape around foundations, vents, and rooflines. The galvanized coating prevents rust and corrosion in wet conditions, making it suitable for direct ground contact where moisture is constant.
This is the same material wildlife professionals recommend for sealing crawl spaces, garden beds, and shed perimeters. The 100 ft roll covers roughly 33 linear feet at 3 ft height, enough for a medium sized property or multiple smaller repair areas. Use it with fencing staples or exterior grade screws every 4 to 6 inches to prevent raccoons from rolling the mesh edge. Pair it with repellents at the base to exploit their natural neophobia and keep them from testing the barrier in the first place.
- Type: Hardware Cloth
- Material: 19 GA Galvanized Steel, 1/2 inch mesh
- Dimensions: 1/2 inch x 48 inch x 100 ft roll
- Best Used For: Garden beds, crawl spaces, shed bases, vent covers
- Pet Safe: Yes, smooth edges with no sharp points
What We Like
- 1/2 inch mesh blocks juvenile and adult raccoons
- Galvanized finish resists rust for outdoor longevity
- Flexible enough for corners and irregular openings
- Large 100 ft roll covers extensive areas
What We Don’t Like
- 19 GA can be bent with sustained pressure over time
- Requires cutting tool for sizing
2. 19 Gauge Black Hardware Cloth 1/2 x 4 x 100 ft (Best Value Mesh)
Coated Wire Cloth Specifications: 19 gauge 4 ft x 100 ft with 1/2 inch openings. Please pay attention to the length and mesh size before purchasing Durable Gopher Wire: Made...
While standard galvanized hardware cloth does the job, this black coated 19-gauge alternative adds a layer of visual discretion that matters for visible fencing around decks, porches, and raised garden beds. The 1/2 inch mesh size is the raccoon exclusion standard, and the black vinyl coating helps the mesh blend into shadows and dark surfaces so your property does not look like a construction site. The coating also adds minor corrosion resistance beyond the underlying steel, making it a good choice for damp climates or areas with frequent rain.
At 4 ft x 100 ft, this roll gives you more height than the standard 48 inch width, which is useful when you need to clear the reach of a raccoons forepaws or protect taller fence sections. The material cuts cleanly with tin snips and holds its shape when stapled to wooden frames. While raccoons can generate 15 pounds of prying force, the 1/2 inch grid prevents them from getting a toe hold on the mesh itself, and the black finish minimizes the visual impact of your exclusion work.
- Type: Hardware Cloth
- Material: 19 GA Steel with Black PVC Coating
- Dimensions: 1/2 inch mesh x 4 ft x 100 ft roll
- Best Used For: Visible fencing, garden borders, porch skirting
- Pet Safe: Yes, coated edges reduce abrasion risk
What We Like
- Black coating blends into dark surfaces and shadows
- 4 ft height is taller than most standard rolls
- Coated finish adds weather and UV resistance
- Budget friendly option for large coverage areas
What We Don’t Like
- Coating can chip if cut with dull blades
- 19 GA still requires sturdy framing for structural use
3. Anti-Climb Spikes 2 Pack (Best Anti-Climb)
Ethical Deterrence: The sharp stainless steel spikes create a harmless barrier to intimidate raccoons, squirrels, pigeons, crows, and rodents without causing injury....
Raccoons are exceptional climbers, capable of scaling brick, wood, vinyl siding, and downspouts using their dexterous forepaws and strong hind legs. The Anti-Climb Spikes 2 Pack creates an uncomfortable but harmless surface that prevents raccoons from gripping fence tops, rooflines, and ledges. Made from stainless steel with blunt tipped spikes, these strips attach to any flat surface and create a physical barrier that raccoons cannot grip or climb over. The 2 pack covers roughly 6 ft of linear fence top space.
Installation is straightforward with included screws or heavy duty adhesive, depending on your mounting surface. Place them along the top rail of existing fences, above ground level barriers, or on downspout brackets where raccoons use the corner as a climbing route. These spikes target the raccoons climbing drive rather than trying to block entry at ground level, which makes them a smart complement to hardware cloth exclusion. Their observational learning means a raccoon that fails to climb once will likely avoid that route in the future.
- Type: Anti-Climb Spikes
- Material: Stainless Steel with Blunt Tips
- Dimensions: 2 pack, each strip approximately 36 x 4 inches
- Best Used For: Fence tops, rooflines, downspouts, ledges
- Pet Safe: Yes, blunt tips prevent injury
What We Like
- Blunt tip design is effective without causing harm
- Works on multiple surface types with screws or adhesive
- Targets climbing behavior directly
- Stainless steel resists rust and weather damage
What We Don’t Like
- Limited to linear top edge coverage
- May need multiple packs for full perimeter protection
4. OWDE 5 Inch One Way Door Excluder (Best Exclusion Door)
SPRING-LOADED ONE-WAY EXIT - Animals push through the angled mesh door to leave - but cannot push back in. Unlike simple cones, the spring-loaded mechanism actively closes...
When raccoons have already taken up residence in an attic, shed, or crawl space, a one-way exclusion door is the most humane and effective removal method. The OWDE 5 Inch One Way Door Excluder attaches over the entry point and allows raccoons to exit on their own but prevents re-entry. The design relies on a spring loaded door flap that raccoons can push outward but cannot pull inward, taking advantage of their forward movement pattern. This eliminates the need for trapping, relocation, or direct handling of the animal.
The 5 inch diameter fits standard raccoon entry holes and exclusion zones. Installation requires securing the unit over the identified exit point so the flap opens outward, then sealing all other entry holes with hardware cloth and 1/2 inch mesh. Check the door after 48 to 72 hours and once you confirm no raccoons remain, seal the hole permanently with hardware cloth and double-latch mechanisms. This method respects their neophobia: raccoons are cautious about new objects, so the door should be pre-baited or installed at dusk when they naturally leave to forage.
- Type: One Way Exclusion Door
- Material: Galvanized Steel
- Dimensions: 5 inch diameter opening
- Best Used For: Attic vents, crawl space entries, shed holes
- Pet Safe: Yes, raccoons exit without harm
What We Like
- Humane removal without trapping or handling
- Simple spring loaded design with few failure points
- Works with existing entry holes
- Galvanized steel withstands outdoor exposure
What We Don’t Like
- Raccoons may take several days to exit
- Only works for one entry point at a time
5. Stanbroil 19 x 19 Inch Adjustable Chimney Cap (Best Chimney Cap)
【Chimney Protection】The tight grid design can prevent birds, animals, and leaves from entering the chimney, and at the same time avoid rainwater from flowing back into...
Chimneys are one of the most common entry points for urban raccoons looking for den sites. The Stanbroil 19 x 19 Inch Adjustable Chimney Cap covers standard flue openings and includes a heavy duty mesh barrier that blocks raccoons while allowing smoke and exhaust to vent properly. The adjustable design fits a range of flue sizes, and the galvanized steel construction holds up against rain, snow, and temperature swings. The included stainless steel mesh is sized small enough that raccoons cannot reach through with their dexterous forepaws.
Installation requires cleaning the flue area, measuring your chimney opening, and securing the cap with the provided mounting hardware. The adjustable side panels create a snug fit that prevents raccoons from leveraging the cap loose with their 15 pounds of prying force. Once installed, the cap also keeps out leaves, branches, and nesting material from birds and squirrels. This is a permanent solution that eliminates the need for repeated chimney inspections or emergency raccoon removal calls.
- Type: Chimney Cap
- Material: Galvanized Steel with Stainless Steel Mesh
- Dimensions: 19 x 19 inches, adjustable panels
- Best Used For: Masonry chimneys, flue openings
- Pet Safe: Yes, no moving parts or sharp edges
What We Like
- Adjustable panels fit multiple chimney sizes
- Heavy duty mesh blocks raccoons and debris
- Galvanized steel with stainless steel mesh for longevity
- Permanent install with no ongoing maintenance
What We Don’t Like
- Installation requires roof access and basic tools
- Limited to standard chimney flue dimensions
6. 304 Stainless Steel Mesh Vent Cap 1.97 Inch (Best Vent Cover)
Attic vents, soffit vents, and dryer exhaust openings are small but critical entry points that raccoons exploit by expanding with their forepaws and teeth. The 304 Stainless Steel Mesh Vent Cap covers standard 1.97 inch vent openings with a fine mesh that raccoons cannot tear or chew through. Unlike plastic vent covers that degrade in sunlight or aluminum screens that bend under pressure, this 304 stainless steel cap provides exceptional durability against both weather and raccoon prying attempts.
The fine mesh density blocks entry while maintaining adequate airflow for attic ventilation and appliance exhaust. Installation takes minutes with the included mounting screws and requires no specialized tools. The stainless steel construction will not rust or corrode, making it a true one time installation. For complete protection, install these caps on every exterior vent in your home including bathroom exhaust, kitchen vents, and crawl space air intakes. Pair them with hardware cloth barriers on larger openings for a full exclusion system.
- Type: Vent Cover
- Material: 304 Stainless Steel Mesh
- Dimensions: 1.97 inch diameter
- Best Used For: Attic vents, soffit vents, dryer vents, exhaust openings
- Pet Safe: Yes, fixed mesh with smooth edges
What We Like
- 304 stainless steel will not rust or corrode
- Fine mesh blocks young raccoons and even squirrels
- Simple screw in installation
- Maximum airflow with minimum opening size
What We Don’t Like
- Fixed 1.97 inch size limits large vent compatibility
- May need additional caps for multiple vents
7. Dig Defence Original Animal Barrier Fence 6 Pack (Best Ground Barrier)
The Original Animal Barrier Fence - Our animal fence barrier makes sure that your pets are securely and humanely contained while also keeping critters and pests out of your...
Raccoons are persistent diggers that will tunnel under fences, deck skirting, and shed foundations if the above ground barrier is secure. The Dig Defence Original Animal Barrier Fence 6 Pack solves this by creating a rigid ground level shield that raccoons cannot dig through. Each panel stakes into the ground and attaches to existing fencing, creating a continuous underground barrier. The heavy duty polymer construction resists chewing and weather damage while remaining flexible enough to contour to uneven ground.
Each pack covers roughly 6 ft of linear fence line, and the panels connect to extend the barrier as needed. The L shaped design extends horizontally underground, stopping raccoons from creating burrows at the base of your fence. This is especially effective in gardens, chicken runs, and around shed perimeters where raccoons have a clear target. The barrier works alongside hardware cloth exclusion to create a complete underground and above ground defense. Raccoons that encounter the barrier during their nightly foraging will hit a solid surface they cannot dig through.
- Type: Ground Barrier Fence
- Material: Heavy Duty UV Resistant Polymer
- Dimensions: 6 pack, each panel approximately 12 x 12 inches
- Best Used For: Fence bases, garden beds, deck perimeters, shed foundations
- Pet Safe: Yes, no sharp edges or toxic materials
What We Like
- Stops digging at the ground line before it starts
- Connecting panels extend coverage as needed
- UV resistant polymer lasts in direct sunlight
- Easy stake in installation without digging a trench
What We Don’t Like
- Limited to fence base and ground level
- May need heavy objects on top in soft soil
How to Raccoon Proof Your Property
Raccoon proofing is a systematic process. Following these steps in order will give you the best chance of keeping raccoons out for good.
Inspect All Entry Points
Start with a thorough inspection of your property during daylight. Look for gaps around rooflines, soffits, attic vents, chimney flues, crawl space openings, and foundation cracks. Raccoons can squeeze through gaps as small as 3 to 4 inches. Look for signs of previous entry including droppings, tracks, rub marks on siding, and disturbed insulation. Pay special attention to areas near garbage storage, pet food bowls, and bird feeders since food sources draw raccoons from their home range.
Seal With Hardware Cloth and 1/2 Inch Mesh
For any structural openings, cut hardware cloth to size using tin snips and secure it with exterior grade screws or fencing staples every 4 to 6 inches. The 1/2 inch mesh is tight enough that raccoons cannot reach through with their dexterous forepaws. Overlap seams by at least 2 inches and use double-latch mechanisms on any access panels you need to keep. For crawl spaces, run the hardware cloth at least 12 inches below grade and more if you are in an area with sandy or loose soil.
Install Chimney Caps and Vent Covers
Secure a properly sized chimney cap over your flue opening with stainless steel hardware. Measure your flue dimensions before purchasing to ensure a snug fit. For exterior vents, replace any plastic or aluminum covers with stainless steel mesh vent caps that resist chewing and prying. Check attic gable vents and soffit vents for loose screens or gaps around the frame. Any opening larger than 1/2 inch is a potential raccoon entry point.
Use One Way Exclusion Doors for Active Infestations
If raccoons are already inside, install a one-way exclusion door over the primary entry point after sealing all other openings. The raccoons will exit on their own schedule, usually within 48 to 72 hours. Check the door daily and once you confirm no animals remain inside, seal the hole permanently with hardware cloth. Never seal raccoons inside intentionally, as they will cause significant damage trying to escape.
Reinforce Fence Lines With Anti-Climb and Ground Barriers
For existing fences, add anti-climb spikes along the top rail to prevent raccoons from scaling the structure. Install ground barriers at the base to stop digging attempts. Overhanging branches and vines near fence lines provide raccoons with easy climbing access, so trim back any vegetation that touches or overhangs your fence. Motion activated lights and sprinklers can add an extra layer of deterrence, taking advantage of the raccoons neophobia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size mesh keeps raccoons out?
1/2 inch mesh is the raccoon exclusion standard. Raccoons can reach through 1 inch mesh with their dexterous forepaws and pull it open. They can also fit their snouts through 3/4 inch openings. Stick with 1/2 inch hardware cloth for all exclusion work around foundations, vents, and crawl spaces. Smaller 1/4 inch mesh is also effective but restricts airflow more.
Can raccoons climb over fencing?
Yes, raccoons are strong climbers capable of scaling wood, brick, vinyl siding, chain link, and even metal downspouts. Smooth surfaces like sheet metal or PVC can deter climbing if angled outward. For existing fences, add anti-climb spikes or a roller bar along the top edge to prevent raccoons from getting a grip. Trimming overhanging branches also removes their overhead access routes.
How do you raccoon proof a chimney?
Install a correctly sized chimney cap with stainless steel mesh over the flue opening. Measure your chimney dimensions and choose an adjustable cap if your flue is nonstandard. The cap should have mesh small enough that raccoons cannot reach through but large enough for proper smoke venting. Secure the cap with stainless steel hardware that resists rust and cannot be pried loose by a raccoons 15 pounds of upward force.
Will a one way door work for raccoons?
Yes, one way exclusion doors are highly effective for removing raccoons that have already entered a structure. The spring loaded flap allows raccoons to push outward but prevents re-entry. Install the door over the identified exit point after sealing all other openings. Most raccoons exit within 48 to 72 hours. Do not use one way doors during baby season (spring) when juvenile raccoons may be trapped inside.
How deep should you bury hardware cloth for raccoons?
Bury hardware cloth at least 12 to 18 inches deep for raccoon exclusion. Angle the bottom 6 inches outward at 45 degrees to create an underground barrier that raccoons cannot dig past. In sandy or loose soil, go 24 inches deep. Use 12-gauge galvanized hardware cloth for underground use since thinner gauges can rust faster in soil contact.
What material is best for raccoon exclusion?
Galvanized hardware cloth with 1/2 inch mesh is the best all around material for raccoon exclusion. It resists rust, cuts easily, holds its shape, and blocks raccoons at every common entry point. For vent covers and chimney caps, 304 stainless steel mesh offers superior corrosion resistance and chewing resistance. Avoid plastic mesh, chicken wire, and welded wire with larger openings since raccoons can tear or squeeze through these materials.
Why Trust WildAnimalsCentral
Our team researches wildlife behavior, exclusion methods, and pest control products full time. We evaluate each product against specific criteria including mesh size, material durability, installation complexity, and proven raccoon exclusion results. We track user reviews, expert recommendations from wildlife control professionals, and regulatory standards for humane animal removal.
Every product recommendation is grounded in the biology of Procyon lotor: their 15 pounds of prying force, dexterous forepaws with four times the tactile sensitivity of human hands, neophobia, observational learning, and instinct to exploit structural weaknesses. We do not recommend products that cannot withstand these specific raccoon behaviors.
This guide was last updated in August 2026. Product availability and pricing may change. Always check local wildlife regulations before installing exclusion devices, especially one way doors and traps.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Content is AI assisted and expert verified. Product recommendations based on testing and research.
