10 Things You’re Leaving Outside That Attract Raccoons Fast

Raccoons are opportunists through and through. If you’ve got food, shelter, or anything remotely interesting in your yard, they’re going to find it—and fast. These little bandits are more clever than you think, and once they know your place is a buffet, they’ll keep coming back. If you’re trying to keep them off your property, here’s what you might be leaving out that’s basically an open invitation.

Pet Food

Leaving pet food outside—even overnight—is one of the fastest ways to bring raccoons in. They have a strong sense of smell and no problem climbing or tearing into containers.

Even if your dog or cat doesn’t finish their bowl, raccoons will. And once they know it’s there, they’ll start checking every night. Bring it in when your pets are done eating, and store the rest in a sealed container inside.

Bird Seed

You might think bird feeders are harmless, but raccoons love them. Bird seed is high-calorie and easy to get into, especially the suet kind or anything with nuts.

Raccoons will knock over feeders, climb poles, and even chew through plastic to get what they want. If you’ve got raccoons showing up, pull the feeders in at night or switch to ones labeled as raccoon-resistant.

Unsecured Trash Cans

Trash is like a raccoon magnet. Leftover food scraps, meat packaging, and even greasy paper towels all smell like a five-star meal to them.

Flimsy lids or open bags are basically asking for a mess. Use cans with locking lids or secure the tops with bungee cords. Keep them in a garage or shed when possible, especially overnight.

Compost Piles

If you’re tossing fruit peels, eggshells, or other kitchen scraps into your compost pile without securing it, you’re handing raccoons a free dinner.

They’ll dig right through it and won’t care how neatly you layered everything. Use a closed compost bin, especially if you compost food waste. Open piles are a lost cause when raccoons are around.

Outdoor Grills

Even if you’ve already cooked and the lid is down, raccoons can smell leftover grease and food bits. They’ll climb onto your grill and try to lick every inch.

If they knock it over or chew at the cover, they can damage it pretty quickly. Always clean your grill after use, and if you can, store it in a garage or use a heavy-duty cover with straps.

Fruit Trees or Dropped Produce

If you’ve got fruit trees or a garden and don’t clean up what falls, raccoons will handle it for you—messily. They’ll go after anything from apples and figs to tomatoes and squash.

Even fallen produce that’s starting to rot still smells good to them. Clean up under fruit trees regularly and harvest ripe produce as soon as you can.

Chicken Feed

Backyard chickens are becoming more common, and so is the problem of raccoons sniffing out their feed. It smells sweet and grainy—perfect for a raccoon snack.

Leaving it in open containers or tossing it around the coop floor keeps raccoons coming back. Store feed in metal bins with tight lids, and don’t leave scoops or feed bags lying around.

Dirty Outdoor Bowls

Water bowls, leftover broth from grilling, or any container with food residue can draw raccoons in. They’ll drink, lick, and even carry the bowls off if they can.

Even dirty pet bowls can smell like food to them. Make it a habit to rinse out bowls after use and bring them inside before dark.

Open Garage or Shed Doors

If you leave your garage or shed open overnight, you might wake up to a raccoon party. They’ll sneak in, snoop around, and nest in dark corners if it’s quiet.

If there’s dog food, trash, or even old coolers in there, they’ll find something to mess with. Always close doors at night, and patch any gaps or broken seals they might squeeze through.

Backyard Toys or Pools

Raccoons are curious and love water. If you’ve got kiddie pools, buckets, or sandboxes left uncovered, they’ll dip their paws in and make a mess.

They’re also known for digging around toys, chewing on plastic, and tipping over small things that smell like food or sunscreen. Dump standing water and stash toys in a bin with a lid when you’re done with them.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.