Skip to content

Blog: Raccoon - Procyon lotor – Dumpster Diver

Procyon lotor, or the raccoon, is well-known for its nocturnal exploits, specifically its love affair with garbage cans. Most home owners are forced to take protective measures so their garbage isn’t scattered nightly.
raccoon

Procyon lotor, or the raccoon, is well-known for its nocturnal exploits, specifically its love affair with garbage cans. Most home owners are forced to take protective measures so their garbage isn’t scattered nightly. In fact, this single event has made it into many movies and has earned it both our indignation and fondness. The smell of food coming from human garbage, compost, and recycling is irresistible to raccoons. But, it is possible to prevent raccoons from getting into garbage cans. Keep your garbage inside until the morning of pick-up day, organic waste can be kept in a freezer to reduce smells. If garbage cans must be kept outside, store them in a shed or garage, or build a wooden lock-box with a padlock to hold the cans. Bungee cords can keep bins closed, but make sure to take them off the morning of garbage pickup. Raccoons can get into garbage cans by tipping them over and knocking open the lids. Bins with handles can be hung from a wall with a bicycle hook or a bungee cord.