The raccoon diet consists of a variety of insects, nuts, berries, plants, and fruits.  You might find it surprising to learn that they will also eat small rodents, frogs, fish, squirrels, rabbits, and bird eggs. Raccoons eat both plants and animals! They are known as opportunistic eaters which simply means they will eat whatever they can get their tiny paws on including whatever leftover food stuff that has been thrown into the trash.

Pick up any trash that has fallen around your trashcan or dumpster that is easily seen or accessible. Smells and the sight of food will attract wildlife and provide them with a ready meal. Raccoons will continue to return to an area where food is readily accessible.

Also, check with neighbors to determine if anyone happens to be is feeding raccoons or other wildlife.  There is a chance that they do not realize the impact this is having on others in the neighborhood.

Once the area around the trashcan has been cleaned up, make certain the lid on your trash receptacle is tightened securely. Raccoons are extremely smart and can figure out how to open most lids, jars, and other objects with their hand-like paws so it is no effort at all for them to open a trashcan lid. Bungee cords can be placed around the trash lid in an effort to prevent raccoons from accessing the trash. These are just a few simple suggestions for you to try that can prevent raccoons from getting into your trash, making a mess, and creating more work for you.

Also, consider keeping your trashcan in your garage until the morning the trash is scheduled for collection. We also advise clients to purchase trashcans with a locking mechanism that is considered “bear-proof” thus removing any opportunity for raccoons to access your garbage in their quest for food. Hopefully, the raccoons will move to another area once they determine that there are no easy meals to be found at your place.

If you happen upon a raccoon that has gotten stuck in a trashcan, gently tip the receptacle over on its side, and quickly back away.  They are not generally in an attack mode. The raccoon will be happy it has been freed and should scurry away quickly.

Raccoons that have become trapped in a dumpster can be a little trickier. Open any side doors to the dumpster if there are any. If the raccoon is still unable to get out you can try placing a board or something they can use as a ladder to climb out by themselves.

For adolescent raccoons stuck in a dumpster and the mother is not around, call us immediately. These young raccoons will require a different approach. Small babies are harmless, and all we need are protective gloves to handle it. Whenever a young raccoon is found without a mother we generally send it to a wildlife rehabilitator to assist with its care and feeding. The rehabilitator will help the baby become stronger and healthier through a proper diet and then reintroduce it into the wild at the appropriate age for their best chances at survival.

For dumpster rescues our technicians are sent out with a net and noose. The technicians assess the situation to determine the best course of action to take. Sometimes the raccoon has tired itself out in its struggle to escape to a point that they can easily be scooped up and removed. At other times the animals are afraid and defensive so we have to use a noose. The proper way to use a noose is to wrap the noose around the raccoons body under/behind its front legs. The noose does not go around the raccoon's neck and should never be used this way. To do so could cause severe harm the raccoon.  There is also a chance the raccoon could break free and harm the technician or other people standing close by.

When you call, let us know everything you have tried on our own up to that point and provide us with a head count if you have seen several raccoons together. We prefer to trap and relocate families together because raccoon families have a much greater chance for survival when they are released to a new area together. to Most areas where raccoons are released are already occupied by other raccoons. The new raccoons will either have to fight for their new territory or hideout to avoid the local wildlife or other predator animals until they can find a new home. Raccoon families relocated together protect each other and forage for food together, and that provides them with the highest chance to survive.

At Apex Wildlife Control, we do not use “kill” traps for raccoons. Once we trap these little fellows, we will take them about twenty-five miles out and relocate them. This is far enough away that they will not find their way back to your home and dumpster.  Fortunately, the reserve they will be located to will have plenty of food, water and shelter.  Just maybe not as much garbage, but they'll live.

So if you have a little trash panda who has gotten stuck in a dumpster or trash can, give us a call.  We will be happy to remove your unwanted guest and handle the situation for you!