Raccoon defecated in vegetable bed - Ask Extension
A raccoon defecated in a raised vegetable bed. I removed the feces. I plan on solarising but find conflicting information about clear ur black plastic...
Knowledgebase
Raccoon defecated in vegetable bed #871349
Asked June 03, 2024, 3:17 PM EDT
A raccoon defecated in a raised vegetable bed. I removed the feces. I plan on solarising but find conflicting information about clear ur black plastic. Many years ago I worked on a project that said black was more effective but have read recently that it is claimed clear is better.
Should I use black or clear.
I poured straight bleach onto the patch of soil. Could undiluted bleach kill the eggs or should I have used boiling water?
Thank you.
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
To the question of solarization, clear plastic has been found to work better than black.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/solarization-occultation
To the question of sanitation, boiling water would have been better both to kill and eggs and it’s better for the environment than bleach.
It’s good that you are being thorough.
https://www.crittercontrol.com/wildlife/raccoons/raccoon-droppings/
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/livingwith_wildlife/raccoons/index.html
