Terrorized...

Ok, its no secret.  I am scared shitless of raccoons.  Most people think they're the cutest little things.  Adorable.  How could anyone be scared of them?

Well, when you come face-to-face with one the size of a small german shepherd, with fangs ready to bite, hissing at you (which I have), then you'd understand my fear. Also, I've read too many stories of vicious raccoon attacks to know they are NOT nice creatures. 

It just so happens that they are ALL over the place in Berkeley.  I have yet to actually SEE one, but evidence is everywhere that they've been in my yard, on my roof, and I suspect, living under my house.  

The other night I heard a cat screech a blood-curdling sound, clearly being attacked.  

I hear footsteps all around my house and they sound HEAVY (not a rat, not a cat, not even a dog).  

I blocked a hole between my front steps and my crawlspace with a very large concrete block.  The next morning, that block was pushed to the side. 

I'm scared every night I come home from work that I'll run into one waiting for me.

I'm scared every night when I go to bed that one will find its way into my home.

I'm scared every night that they're under my house gnawing away at my electrical wires.

When I first starting hearing the sounds, I used to be afraid that it was a burglar, an attacker, or even a ghost.  But now that I know its a raccoon, I have to say, nothing compares to the fear of the mutha-f'ing raccoon.  

Seriously...how do raccoon-proof my home?  Any ideas?