Don’t Feed the Problem: How Trash Attracts Raccoons in Urban Areas

Raccoons are intelligent, adaptable, and opportunistic—traits that make them thrive in urban environments. While they may seem harmless or even cute, raccoons can cause serious problems when they’re drawn to neighborhoods by an easily accessible food source: trash.

Why Trash Is a Magnet for Raccoons

Raccoons have a highly developed sense of smell and a reputation for problem-solving. When garbage is left out in unsecured bins or bags, raccoons interpret it as a buffet. Leftovers, pet food, greasy containers, and even compost piles provide more than enough incentive for raccoons to return night after night. Once they find a reliable food source, they often share it with others and make themselves at home.

The Real Risks of Raccoon Activity

When raccoons become regular visitors to your property, they bring more than just a mess. They can:

• Rip into rooflines or soffits to nest in attics.

• Tear up gardens or dig through mulch beds.

• Leave behind droppings that pose health risks such as raccoon roundworm.

• Threaten pets, especially if cornered or protecting their young.

• Transmit diseases, including rabies and leptospirosis.

Their nighttime raids also lead to scattered trash, which attracts even more pests like rats, ants, and stray cats.

Stop the Cycle: How to Raccoon-Proof Your Trash

Preventing raccoon problems starts with securing trash cans using tight-fitting or locking lids—adding bungee cords can help keep them sealed. Put garbage out in the morning rather than the night before to reduce nighttime scavenging. Avoid leaving pet food or bird seed outdoors, especially overnight, and store them in sealed containers. Rinse trash bins regularly to minimize food odors that attract raccoons. Installing motion-sensor lights or noise deterrents near your trash area can also help keep these nighttime visitors away.

When to Call a Professional

If raccoons have already taken up residence in your attic or crawlspace, or if you’re dealing with persistent activity despite prevention, it’s time to call Wildlife X Team Fort Worth. Our trained technicians safely and humanely remove raccoons, seal entry points, and offer long-term solutions to protect your home.

Cut Off the Invitation

Feeding raccoons may not be intentional, but unsecured trash sends a clear invitation. By taking proactive steps to manage waste and eliminate attractants, you protect your property, your health, and Fort Worth’s urban ecosystem. Don’t feed the problem! Partner with Wildlife X Team Fort Worth to keep raccoons where they belong, in the wild.