Raccoons are definitely some of the coolest and most interesting animals out there, but only if they aren’t causing problems on your property.

They are relentless break-in artists when it comes to garbage cans, pet food, chicken coops, and more and if you get a large troop of them hanging around you’re bound to have issues. Those issues will turn into a legitimate nightmare if they get inside your attic or elsewhere in your home.

And when it comes to home invasion, raccoons typically find their way in off of the roof, sneaking in through soffits, attic vents, chimneys, and more. Accordingly, if you have one on your roof you need to get it down from there and scare it away, and hopefully not break your neck in the process.

To help you do that I’m bringing you a list of tips that will help you scare raccoons off of your roof easily, in addition to using baits and traps which I’ve already covered. Keep reading and we will get right to it…

How Do Raccoons Get On Roofs?

Watch this video on YouTube

It’s not unheard of to see a raccoon in the daytime, but they’re predominantly nocturnal. Being prey animals, being illuminated and exposed raises their levels of anxiety, and might cause them to retreat to cover wherever they are.

You can use this quirk of psychology against them by employing motion lighting around your home and, if necessary, up on your roof that will activate when raccoons come near. Lacking that, spotlight them with a powerful flashlight if you are out on “patrol.”

Even though raccoons are often urbanized, a term meaning that they have learned to live near and alongside human habitation and activity, they’re still startled and unnerved by loud noises. Raise enough ruckus, and a raccoon might decide that discretion is the better part of valor and hit the trail.

To do this, you can yell, bang sticks or boards together, rattle a trash can lid, or use a pail full of gravel. Anything that will create a sharp, loud sound might be enough to spook them away.

Just pay attention, because if they duck inside your house, you’ll have to try a new tactic to get them out!

Garden twirlers are those wind-powered decorations that take the form of pinwheels, spirals, or concentric rings of reflective discs.

Whatever they are and whatever they look like, if you get some that are a bright, shiny reflective metal you might be able to rely on them to keep raccoons and other mammals away.

There’s something about the glint and movement of these things that just unsettles most animals.

Being so unsure of what they are, most raccoons will choose to take their chances elsewhere. Hang these up strategically around your home and especially near the known approaches that raccoons use to scamper up to your roof. Hopefully it will deter them!

One of the oldest and best-known methods for deterring raccoons, mice, rats and other varmints is the use of mothballs. Chances are this is what your great-granddad did to keep pesky critters at bay, and if it’s good enough for him it’s good enough for us…

Mothballs have that strong, nose-stinging odor because of a compound called naphthalene. It’s deadly to moths, but merely a strong deterrent to animals with sensitive noses. Animals like raccoons!

All you need to do is place mothballs at strategic points around the foundation of your property, especially near spots where raccoons like to climb up to the roof.

Placing a few up at the roof line by tucking them under shingles is also a good idea, as is putting them inside the attic near vents and other potential entrances. They don’t last forever, and you’ll have to replace them occasionally (and sooner after it rains), but this is one of the cheapest and best options.

This is another one of my favorite and time-tested raccoon repellents, and one that I didn’t know about until just recently.

To us humans, Epsom salt doesn’t really have any odor at all, but for whatever reason the chemical composition of the stuff is intolerable to many mammals. I can guarantee you that raccoons positively hate it!

Even better, the smell seems to drift for quite a long distance, so putting rings of Epsom salt around your home and elsewhere on your property might keep raccoons off of your land entirely.

The best part is Epsom salt is cheap, freely available, and pretty friendly, environmentally speaking- though you don’t want it to get into the soil where you plan on growing anything!

Remember to refresh it periodically as it degrades and washes away.

Raccoons, as mentioned, have incredibly sensitive noses. They are sensitive both in terms of overall efficiency at sniffing out food, mates, and threats, but also in their vulnerability to irritants.

Pepper is delicious on our own food, but if you’ve ever gotten a nose full of the stuff you know how unpleasant it can be! Imagine how much worse it’ll be for a raccoon.

Grind this stuff up fresh and then sprinkle it literally wherever you know raccoons go and move around.

Once they get a good snoutful of stuff it is going to send them into a coughing and sneezing fit, and after one or two close encounters they will probably associate your home and roof with pain, and leave you alone.

Red pepper flakes work very much like black pepper and white pepper when it comes to repelling raccoons from your roof. Any raccoon that runs into the stuff and either tries a taste or gets a good whiff of it is going to be in for a searing surprise.

Even though the compound contained in red pepper flakes, and all other spicy peppers, causes mammals significant pain when it comes into contact with skin, mucous membranes, taste buds, or eyes, it isn’t overtly harmful.

This is really going to knock any trespassing raccoon for a loop, but it will leave them no worse for the wear after the effects subside in half an hour or so.

Best of all, this is another extremely cheap and environmentally friendly option: you won’t have to worry about this hurting the environment, your land, or any materials on your home. Just don’t get it in your own eyes!

Another raccoon repellent that you’ve probably got in your own pantry right now. Sure, it makes our desserts taste wonderful, but this stuff is ferociously irritating to many mammals. Indeed, that flavor we love so much is actually a defense mechanism developed by the plant to prevent it from being eaten!

You probably don’t need me to tell you how to use cinnamon at this point: scatter it liberally anywhere that you know the raccoons will go and be sure to coat all of their approaches and climbing points that they use to get up on your roof.

Grab yourself a big economy jug if you want to, and don’t hesitate to lay a thick perimeter around the edge of your roof so the raccoons will run into it nose-first as they climb.

Raccoons might be notorious predators of chicken and duck coops, but they themselves are prey for larger and more capable animals like wolves, coyotes, bobcats, and more.

Accordingly, they are always alert to any indication that a predator might be nearby, and the number one tool they use to figure that out is their nose.

If a raccoon can physically smell the predator, or even evidence of their passage in the form of urine or droppings, they will be a lot more fearful and more prone to head the other way.

Exploit this predator nervousness by acquiring predator scent from a hunting supply retailer or a pest control outlet.

Note that this stuff can be pretty stinky, obviously, and you probably don’t want to smell it yourself but it works wonderfully for repelling raccoons especially if they are already setting up a nest inside your home.

Most mommy raccoons that are looking for a safe place to nest, like inside your attic for instance, will avoid male, or boar, raccoons because they have a tendency to kill little babies.

Just like we used predator scent above, you can acquire specialty male raccoon scent and use it to scare off any adventurous, exploring females and younger, nervous males from your property and roof.

As usual, spray liberally and reapply often as it wears out. Once you know the raccoons are long gone, you can stop.

Today I’ve got something I’m very excited to share…

A Complete Guide To The Best Portable Stoves In An Emergency

Because a portable stove is both lightweight and compact.

We’re talking light enough to transport from place to place with ease.

The critical word here is; “ease.”

Sure, “technically,” you can move your kitchen stove, but not with ease.

Portable stoves are the kind you can pick up, pack, and store in a vehicle or backpack.

The best ones function nearly as well as your standard kitchen stove.

TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE…    ↓(click to jump)

• Best Portable Stoves Today
• Stoves vs. Grills vs. Skillets
• Different Types Of Stoves
• Best Portable Stove Features 
• Reasons To Invest In One
• A Few Stove Safety Tips

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Want a free 54 item survival gear checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Best Portable Stoves On The Market Today

Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to test many different stove models across various designs.

Each type has great features, but no stove can be the best for all situations.

Here are a few of our favorites for some of the most common stoves on the market today.

↓ Coleman Triton Series 2 Burner Stove Review

↓ GasOne Mini Stove Gs-800 Review

↓ Jetboil Flash Cooking System Review

↓ Gear Review: Snow Peak Gigapower Lite Max Stove

↓ Solo Stove Titan Review (Cool Wood Burning Camping Stove)

↓ BioLite Camp Stove 2 Charging With Fire!!

↓ Alcohol Stove Review

Today I’ve got something important to share…

A Review Of The Best Solar Phone Chargers For Your Money

Because I’ll bet you a ham sandwich, you’re reading this on your phone.

OR you have a phone within arm’s reach.

Now, I may be wrong once and a while.

But I’m pretty sure I won’t be going hungry anytime soon.

Why? Because in 2021, 85% of the US population owned a cell phone.

The day is coming fast when everyone owns a solar phone charger to keep their phones topped off.

Because there’s nothing more annoying and frustrating than running out of power midday!

This quickly makes the portable solar-powered phone charger the new “must-own” tech device.

TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE…    ↓(click to jump)

• Why Invest In A Solar Phone Charger
• 3 Types Of Solar Phone Chargers
  • Direct Chargers
  • Indirect Chargers
  • Phone Case Chargers

Want a free 54 item survival gear checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Why You Should Invest In A Solar Phone Charger

The Perfect Plan B

As I pointed out already, nearly everyone owns a cell phone or smartphone.

Everyone (from teenagers to grandparents) is getting in on the act.

And as we know, smartphones are so much more than “traditional phones.”

They are a:

• Camera
• GPS device
• Internet browser
• Video game console
• Recording device
• Music player
• Etc.

But these technical devices require copious amounts of power to operate – all while on the go.

So they’re designed with a rechargeable battery.

But those batteries run out way too fast – often at inconvenient times and locations.

You know, those remote places without access to electrical outlets.

In the past, you just had to accept that and deal with the consequences.

For example:

• Maybe you lost your GPS mid-travel and had no map. Oops.
• Or perhaps you wanted to capture a special moment only to find your phone dead – missing out on the perfect picture.
• Or worse yet, what about if you got lost in the wilderness with no way to call for help...

But with a solar charger, you can get that phone back up and running – ANYWHERE.

So a solar phone charger act as a power backup for normal times and a lifesaver device in times of dire emergency.

Save Some Money

If you use your solar phone charger often, it will save you some money over an extended period of time.

Now, it depends on how much you spend upfront on the solar charger.

Using the sun’s “free” energy is great, but it’s not “savings” if the cost of the device is prohibitive.

But, as solar phone charger prices fall and your electric rates rise, you can save real money.

We’re not quite there yet to fully offset the device’s original cost (at least not quickly).

However, a solar charger can still help offset much of your initial investment.

For example, let’s say it costs you $25 for the charger, and you use it often (daily).

Let’s say you saved $1 in electricity each month by using a solar phone charger often instead of plugging it into your home’s outlet.

That math would add up to $12 per year.

No, $12 won’t make you rich. But the device you buy today slowly pays for itself little by little over time.

This is what I like to call a B.T.N. investment = Better Than Nothing

Environmentally Friendly

If you’re someone who wants to reduce your carbon footprint, then this is a no-brainer.

Harnessing the sun’s power to keep your phone charged helps offset your carbon footprint.

Now, there is a carbon cost to manufacture the device in the first place – so it might not be 100% “carbon” friendly.

However, it’s better at offsetting carbon than all the other survival gadgets you buy yearly.

↓ Do Portable Solar Power Chargers Really Work?

Want a free 54 item survival gear checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

3 Types Of Solar Phone Chargers On The Market

There are hundreds of solar charging solutions on the market today.

They are designed to keep your phone powered – whether at the beach, while camping, or in an emergency.

And while each design has its own small twist. Solar-powered phone chargers tend to fall into one of three categories.

1. Direct (no battery bank)
2. Indirect (has a battery bank)
3. Case Chargers (no battery bank)

Choosing the right one depends on how you plan to use it – and how you use your phone.

A direct charger makes things simple and efficient.

They are the best solution if you plan to be in one place during the day and aren’t on your phone all the time.

A battery bank charger is best if you need to be on the go.

For example, if you can’t stop to charge your phone until you’re back home.

And if you can’t be bothered with packing extra gear, you might want a case charger.

It automatically extends your phone’s battery life when you’re not using it.

↓ Solar Power Banks Vs. 28 Watt Solar Power Chargers

But that’s just a quick rundown.

Let’s now deep dive into each solution a bit more.

That way, you can zero in on the solution that will work best for you.

Direct Chargers

Direct solar phone chargers are often called solar panel phone chargers.

They connect straight from a solar panel directly to your phone via a USB cable.

The USB connection offers a simple way to connect your phone to the panel with the charging cable.

A solar panel phone charger is also the most efficient form of solar charging.

That’s because you lose some efficiency whenever electricity is transferred between components.

Each transfer step has a small efficiency cost due to resistance.

These transfers add up and erode the total charge available to your phone.

So, if you choose a direct panel solution, you remove these transfer losses.

Helping you maximize the amount of charge reaching your phone.

Direct panel chargers also include only a few internal parts and minimal, delicate circuitry.

Helping to make them far more robust and weather-resistant compared to other options.

This comes in handy when you can’t always count on the weather to be clear.

Of course, direct charging from a solar panel also has a few drawbacks.

First, solar panels have difficulty producing a consistent flow of electricity.

Variables (such as clouds, shadows, etc.) create stronger and weaker signals over time.

This translates to slower charging and longer wait times as your devices charge.

During this time, your phone must stay connected to the solar charger for longer to reach a full charge.

So if you have a large solar panel, you’re basically tethered to one location.

This makes it harder and less convenient to use.

For example, a single full charge could take up to 5 hours of full sun.

This means re-aiming the panel often to collect the most energetic rays throughout the day.

Second, the power output of a solar panel is directly related to the amount of incoming sunlight.

This means that the voltage levels will fluctuate throughout the day – and even in passing clouds.

Clearly, this means more power in full, bright sunlight, and your phone will charge faster.

But, in low light conditions, your charger may not charge enough to register on your phone.

Modern phones may stop charging if it senses electrical variations in the voltage.

They do this to protect the phone when power surges at home.

But it can also prevent you from charging via solar panels if the output is too unpredictable.

Have you ever seen the “This device is not supported” message when using a cheap charger?

This is because the cheap chargers are too variable, and some phones don’t like them.

Finally, the old criticism of “what about when it’s dark out?” applies here.

With a direct charger, you can only charge during daylight hours.

If you’re on the move or have bad weather during the day, this can damage your charging capabilities.

↓ Solar Panel Comparison: What To Consider Before Buying

Direct Solar Phone Charger Examples

↓ Goal Zero Boulder 100 Watt Briefcase Solar Panel Review and Unboxing

↓ GoalZero Nomad Portable Solar Panel Review

↓ Unboxing NekTeck 28W Solar Charger

Solar Battery Banks

If the headaches of direct charging are too much to deal with, a solar charger with a battery bank solar charger may be the better bet.

Adding a high-capacity external battery solves several flaws of direct charging solar systems.

Battery banks are commonplace these days, with capacities of up to 20,000mAh.

This is more than enough to charge your phone several times over.

This can really be a lifesaver when you only have opportunities to collect a solar charge every few days.

They also allow you to leave home at full charge.

In addition to high-capacity batteries, they also have high-quality charging circuits.

Circuitry that’s far less sensitive to voltage fluctuations.

This means they will charge far better in partly cloudy conditions and at low light.

Allowing you to collect more power than a direct system.

Maybe most importantly, battery banks mean you can charge where and when it’s convenient.

You can charge the battery bank all day while going about your business.

Then later, use it to charge your phone overnight (or whenever is most convenient).

Meaning you can wake up to a full phone battery and get more done throughout the day.

On the other hand, a battery bank DOES mean one more device added between the sun and your phone.

As we mentioned earlier, this also means suffering a bit more transfer loss along the way.

A quality battery bank will minimize that loss and more than makeup for it in available power.

↓ EVERY SOLAR PANEL Type Compared – Mini Solar Panel Reviews

Solar Battery Bank Examples

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Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far into the article, you are apparently very interested in this new technology.

I carry a solar phone charger with me every single day.

I take it camping, I take it to work, and I use it at home.

It’s one of those devices you’ll probably use every day.

And it may just save your butt every once in a while.

It’s one of my favorite pieces of survival gear.

It’s one of the better purchases I’ve made recently, with no regrets!

And if you want to take solar technology to an even larger scale – check out our article on the best solar generators.

Why Trust Skilled Survival…

Go here now to review a full breakdown of:

Who We Are

Our Credentials

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& Product Recommendations…

Here are a few highlights of our teams credentials & certifications:

• Certified Member of a Mountain Search & Rescue Organization
• Plant Emergency & Safety Leader for a Major Food Manufacturer
• Member of the 10TH Mountain Division Hut Association
• Certifications: Avalanche 1, WFR, CPR
• Official Gear Tester for Numerous Outdoor Gear Companies
• Countless Multiday Backpacking trips into Remote Wilderness
• Bachelor’s Degree In Mechanical Engineering 
• Bachelor’s Degree In Civil Engineering
• Bachelor’s Degree In Biomedical Engineering

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” – Warren Buffett

We’re fully aware that TRUST is NOT something you GET but is EARNED.

And we’ll continue to earn YOUR trust through our forthright and honest approach with each new Blog Post, Guide & Product we create…

Jason K.

Born & Raised In The Remote Woods Of Michigan

Engineering Degree From A Major University

Long Standing Member Of Mountain Search & Rescue

Offical Gear Tester For Several Outdoor Companies

Avid Outdoorsman: Backpacking, Camping, Fishing

Years Researching & Writing About Survival & Gear

P.s. Do You Live In A ‘Danger Zone’ County?

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In minutes you’ll know EXACTLY where you stand and if you should be worried or not..

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