Trapping raccoons is challenging if you don’t use the right bait. Whether you’re dealing with a backyard nuisance or preparing traps for winter, the right attractant can make all the difference. In this guide, we break down the best raccoon bait options—including sweet treats, meats, and pantry items—and include top-rated Amazon products for easy shopping.
✅ Quick List: Best Raccoon Baits (2025)
| Bait | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Tuna in oil | Strong-smelling and oily—perfect attractant |
| Cat food | Fishy scent raccoons can’t resist |
| Marshmallows | Sweet smell, especially effective in cold |
| Sardines | Overpowering aroma—works fast |
| Peanut Butter | Sticky, sweet, and long-lasting |
| Fruits (e.g., watermelon, apple) | Natural sugars raccoons love |
| Bacon | Greasy and irresistible |
| Eggs | Familiar and tempting |
| Sweet Corn | Best for summer/fall trapping |
| Kitchen scraps | Easy and effective with strong odors |
🎯 Top 10 Baits for Raccoons (Detailed)
1. Tuna in Oil – 🥇 Best Overall
Tuna packed in oil is a powerhouse bait due to its strong scent. Perfect for use in live traps.
🛒 Buy Starkist Chunk Light Tuna in Oil (Amazon)
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Works in all seasons
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Extremely aromatic
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Budget-friendly
2. Cheap Dry or Wet Cat Food
Raccoons are naturally drawn to fish-based cat food—especially the cheap, smelly kind.
🛒 Friskies Seafood Sensations Dry Cat Food (Amazon)
🛒 Purina Fancy Feast Wet Cat Food Variety Pack (Amazon)
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Long shelf life
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Mess-free
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Great for backyard and cages
3. Marshmallows – 🧊 Best for Winter Traps
These sugary confections are surprisingly effective—especially in cold weather when strong-smelling foods can freeze.
🛒 Jet-Puffed Jumbo Marshmallows (Amazon)
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Doesn’t attract cats or dogs
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Visible and sweet
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Great for dog-proof traps
4. Sardines (in oil)
Few baits can rival the pungent scent of sardines. They’re oily, messy, and highly effective.
🛒 King Oscar Sardines in Olive Oil (Amazon)
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Great for quick results
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Can smear around trap for trail scent
5. Peanut Butter
Sticky and aromatic, peanut butter is ideal for use on trap triggers. Raccoons will struggle to remove it without springing the trap.
🛒 Jif Creamy Peanut Butter (Amazon)
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Lasts in wet conditions
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Doesn’t attract neighborhood cats
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Easy to apply
6. Fruit (Watermelon, Apples, Grapes)
Fruits provide natural sugars and fresh smells raccoons love.
🛒 Dried Fruit Sampler (Amazon) – Long-lasting bait option.
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Best for warm months
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Clean and easy
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Combine with peanut butter for max effect
7. Bacon or Grease Drippings
Cooked bacon or its drippings leave an aroma trail raccoons will follow from afar.
🛒 Hormel Black Label Bacon (Amazon)
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Oily and potent
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Irresistible to raccoons
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Messy but powerful
8. Eggs
Fresh or hard-boiled eggs mimic natural prey raccoons raid from bird nests.
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Easy to get
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Crush slightly to release scent
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Use with peanut butter or corn for extra pull
9. Sweet Corn
Best used in fall and early winter, corn appeals to raccoons’ foraging instincts.
🛒 Libby’s Whole Kernel Sweet Corn (Amazon)
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Works well in repeat trap setups
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Combine with eggs or marshmallows
10. Kitchen Scraps
Leftover chicken skin, bread, or fruit peels can attract raccoons. Avoid meat bones that dogs may try to reach.
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Free and effective
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Works in rural or wooded areas
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High smell factor
📦 Recommended Raccoon Traps (Amazon)
Pair your bait with effective traps:
🪤 Havahart 1079 Large 1-Door Live Animal Trap
🪤 Duke Traps Heavy Duty Cage Trap
🪤 OxGord Live Animal Trap for Raccoons and Strays
🌦️ Best Raccoon Baits by Season
| Season | Best Baits |
|---|---|
| Winter | Marshmallows, peanut butter, sardines |
| Summer | Fruit, corn, tuna |
| Fall | Eggs, bacon, wet cat food |
| Spring | Kitchen scraps, tuna, peanut butter |
📍 Best Raccoon Bait by Use Case
| Use Case | Top Bait |
|---|---|
| Live trap | Tuna, peanut butter, marshmallows |
| Backyard | Cat food, fruit, eggs |
| Cages | Marshmallows, peanut butter |
| Winter | Sardines, marshmallows, corn |
| Hunting | Bacon, fish, eggs |
| Garden | Fruit, peanut butter, corn |
🧠 Expert Tip: Combine Baits for Stronger Pull
Try placing tuna near the entrance, with peanut butter deep inside to force the raccoon to trigger the trap. Sprinkle marshmallows or corn around as visual lures.
🧭 Final Thoughts
The best raccoon bait depends on your location, season, and trap type. For most situations, tuna in oil, cat food, and marshmallows are your most reliable options.
Pair with a high-quality live trap, position it strategically, and you’ll significantly improve your odds of catching those sneaky night visitors.
