Why are Raccoons in Your Garbage?

Are you outside refilling your trashcans because some pesky raccoons pillaged your garbage again last night? Well, there is a very good reason why this continues to happen. In fact, there are several. Read on to learn why you have raccoons in your garbage, and what you can do to put a stop to their nuisance behaviors.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622

▷ Raccoons are Omnivorous

Raccoons are omnivores, like us, which means they eat all food groups, including meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, legumes, and more. Informally, raccoons are what we call “opportunistic feeders”, which means they will basically eat anything, as well as, do whatever it takes to gain access to discovered food sources. This includes your garbage.

▷ Raccoons are Bad at Hunting

Although raccoons are incredibly intelligent mammals with excellent memory, dexterous paws, and excellent climbing abilities, they are actually very bad at hunting. So when they find a worthy and reliable food source, they stick with it for as long as they can, or until it is gone. When raccoons know your garbage cans are a free, nightly buffet, they will remember and revisit for as long as the garbage is there.

▷ Raccoons Can Open Lids

As mentioned, raccoons have dexterous paws and claws, which give them the ability to grasp, pull, and pry. So when you think your trashcans are safe because they have lids, think again. Raccoons can easily climb trashcans, open them up, and pull out as much garbage as they can reach. They can even open latches and locks, untie ropes, and achieve other simple feats that only require a little tampering.

What You Need to Do

All you have to do is stop leaving your garbage cans outside. Furthermore, wait to put your garbage cans at the curb for pickup on the morning of trash collection day. Raccoons are nocturnal, so you are handing over your trash by putting out your garbage the night before. If you must leave your trash receptacles outside, invest in some quality lid locks. You can find these at your local home improvement store or online.

Still Have Raccoon Activity Around the House?

If you are experiencing raccoon problems, let us help. We offer 24 hour raccoon removal, as well as, raccoon proofing and prevention, minor restorations for raccoon damages, raccoon cleanup, and much more. We are DNR licensed and insured, and provide both residential and commercial raccoon control services in Louisville, Kentucky and throughout its surrounding areas. Call us directly at 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate or advice, today.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

How to Stop Raccoons From Harming Your Property

Wild raccoons can pose a threat to humans and pets if paths are crossed at the wrong times. This is because raccoons, along with other wild animals, can carry infectious diseases. These diseases and infections can be quickly passed along through a possible bite, scratch, or attack. A raccoon will attack out of self-defense or to protect it’s young. Even if raccoon bites and confrontation are avoided, there are other ways raccoons can be dangerous for us and our pets.

You see, raccoon urine and droppings can also carry infections and bacteria that are harmful if accidentally or unknowingly ingested. Dogs and cats are known to track traces of raccoon droppings into the house where it can come in contact with everyone and spread quickly among the family. Illnesses such as roundworm, Rabies, Leptospirosis, and more are commonly spread by raccoons. So how can you protect your home from wild raccoons and avoid potential dangers? 

Continue reading and learn some simple and full-proof methods to protecting your home from raccoons and other wild animals.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control
Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622

Raccoon Prevention 101

There are several quick tips on how to stop raccoons from entering your property.  Things like everyday chores, pet care routines, and simple handy work can all be a good place to start making changes.  For example, one way to keep raccoons away from your property is to thwart their desire to come in the first place. This means stop doing things that make raccoons interesting in visiting your house.  Don’t leave garbage cans outside and easily accessible to raccoons.  They are scavengers at heart and can smell food scraps from miles away. 

If you are in the habit of taking your garbage out the night before trash day, it is good idea to stop. Raccoons will come and they will remember your home as a dependable source of food; so they will return night after night seeking more opportunities you are giving away.  Leaving pet food dishes outdoors is like feeding raccoons directly, night after night.  Raccoons love the taste of pet food and will come back every night for it.  It is always recommended to leave pet food inside in a secure place.

Another factor that attracts raccoons to residential areas is shelter availability.  Loose shingles in the roof, cracks in the attic window seals, and unlocked sheds or garages become a raccoon colonies dream come true in poor weather.  They will seek out warm shelter anywhere around their food sources.  This means your house.  To prevent raccoons from squeezing their way inside your home, take out the old tool belt and implement a little home maintenance.  Secure locks, seal windows, fix any loose roof shingles, and more.  This can help protect your home and keep raccoons away for good.

The best way to prevent raccoons from entering your property is to make sure they do not already have access inside.  Call a professional raccoon control company to inspect your property for signs of raccoon infestations and damages. The sooner you find raccoon problems, the less expensive and extensive the damages and repairs will be.  A professional can also facilitate proper raccoon-proofing strategies that will eliminate raccoon invasions altogether.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 502-553-7622 for safe and humane Louisville raccoon removal and control services you can trust. We offer a wide range of services for residential and commercial properties, including raccoon removal, control, prevention, proofing, cleanup, attic restorations, and more. Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate or information about Louisville raccoon control, today.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

4 Ways to Keep Raccoons Out of Trashcans

Raccoons love a free meal. And your garbage provides them this privilege every night. To make matters worse, raccoons are smart, and will remember where all the good food spots are at. This means they will continue to rummage your trashcans, spreading garbage all over the place, unless you finally take matters into your own hands.

Continue reading to learn 4 safe and humane tricks to keep raccoons out of trashcans.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622


Keep in mind that raccoons are nocturnal, so they are most active between the hours of dusk and dawn. While you sleep is when they make their massive mess all over your lawn and driveway. So in order to combat their destruction, you must do something that will prevent them from accessing your garbage behind your back. T

he best method for this is to simply keep your trashcans in an enclosed space, like a garage or shed, and only take them out on the morning on trash collection day. If there are no trashcans to rummage, raccoons will move on to the next easily-accessible food source.

If keep your trashcans enclosed in a garage or shed is not an option, there are still some other things you can try. Here are 4 effective methods for protecting your trashcans from raccoons:

Bungee Cords and Lid Locks

Raccoons have human-like paws that are highly dexterous. Opening doors and lids is not a challenge for them at all, which is why you need to lock them down tight. Use some standard 24 inch bungee cords with hooks at each end to keep your trashcan lids secured overnight. You can also purchase trashcan lid locks, which may be available at your local home improvement store.

Ammonia

If you want to keep raccoons and other nuisance animals (like dogs) away from your trash, sprinkle each bag with a few dashes of ammonia. Ammonia is the common chemical found in urine. Raccoons will avoid the smell of ammonia because it will tell them that the area is soiled. It will trick them into thinking the area is ruined. Just be careful handling ammonia, and keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Talk Radio

Have you ever tried to approach a wild animal? They usually run away before you can get too close. Raccoons are just like most other animals; they avoid threats and potential predators, which would be us. If you place a boom box set on a talk radio station next to the garbage cans, it will trick raccoons into thinking there are humans nearby; so they will not come close. After a few nights or so, they will remember that your garbage is near humans, and will stop coming around.

String Lights

Another element that scares away raccoons is lack of privacy. You can install motion-detection lighting outside to flash on when animals scurry by, but this can sometimes be costly. As a cheaper alternative, try streaming string lights (i.e. Christmas lights) around the basin of the trashcans. The added lighting will turn raccoons off from your property because they do not have a safe place to rummage in the dark.

Nothing Work for You? Contact a Pro

Louisville Raccoon Removal

Louisville Raccoon Removal 502-553-7622

If you are experiencing raccoon problems, let us help. We offer 24 hour raccoon removal, as well as, raccoon proofing and prevention, minor restorations for raccoon damages, raccoon cleanup, and much more. We are DNR licensed and insured, and provide both residential and commercial raccoon control services in Louisville, Kentucky and throughout its surrounding areas. Call our office directly at 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate or advice, today.