Question
I live in a suburb of Chicago, IL. I have an above ground swimming pool with a deck that surrounds the entire pool. I noticed that I have raccoon paw prints around one side of the pool (on the top rail of the pool). I have a mulberry tree and I know this is the problem, but until I can have it cut down, I was wondering if I could keep them away from the pool. I keep garbage cans inside the garage so that isn't a problem and I don't have a garden. I realize they want the water, so I put out two bowls of water on the ground by the entrance (or what I believe to be the entrance) of where they are living in the hopes that they would drink that water and stay away from the pool (maybe this is making things worse). Each morning the water is gone, and there aren't prints around the entire edge like there used to be, but they are still there. I was outside last night just before dark and I saw 4 babies in the mulberry tree but have yet to see the mother. I tried the coyote urine route, but it obviously didn't work too well.

Because I live in the suburbs (houses are relatively close together), blasting a radio or having a bright light on all night really isn't possible. I'm not willing to trap them on my own.

My biggest fear is they will fall into the pool, claw their way out, and the pool is destroyed. I've had a pool for years and it's never happened but there is a first time for everything.

Is there anything I can do?  

Answer
With the restrictions you have placed on what I can tell you, you have precious few options. Short of electric fencing, dog, or hiring a wildlife control operator, you really don't have any options that will work (unless you want to empty the pool or keep it covered. Shocking the pool with chlorine may help.  Radio and lights would be useless anyway. A suburban raccoon that was afraid of noise and lights would have starved a long time ago. Don't waste your money or time with repellents. They can help in the way a rabbits foot help because they make the owner feel like he/she is doing something. But beyond the placebo effect they are worthless in your situation.

I do not recommend your putting water out. When a raccoon discovers food/water, other raccoons tend to follow. If you are worried about the pool, perhaps placing logs in the pool various places so the raccoon can climb out if he falls in.

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Sorry. If you decide to reduce the number of restrictions on your request, let me know.

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