Dumpsters and garbage cans are very easy to access for raccoons who have the strength to lift the lids. They are desperate and willing to struggle and even get injured in the pursuit of food. raccoons and other wildlife are so hungry, especially in the winter that they will search for any morsel of food and even the smell of food that is gone will attract them. If you have noticed them accessing your garbage you should lock it and put it in the garage or a shed. If they learn your property has lots of accessible food they may decide to stay. That means living in your attic or under your deck. Removing the open garbage cans from the property is a great start but there are other things raccoons are attracted to. They are also looking for water and that tends to be common on human properties. birdbaths and dirty barbeque, dog food left outside or leftovers from an outdoor meal. You need to take precautions and make your property wildlife-proof. That does not mean fencing it off, that means removing what the animals are trying to access. Your home is a good place to start. While wildlife can wander on your property for as long as they want if there is nothing to eat or drink they will have to leave. And they will not come back. This is only possible if you are careful with food and water on your property. If you have a hot tub it’s accessible water, the raccoon also does not know it’s hot so may fall in and die. The same with a chlorinated pool. This requires professional draining and sterilization before you can use it again. Any food and water on your property must be removed, nothing can be accessible. If you do this you will see far fewer animals and will see them for much less time. Even a beloved fruit tree must go. Raspberry bushes and vegetable gardens and compost piles will all attract raccoons to your property.
Do not panic when you see an animal on your property, watch it through the window and see where it goes. When it leaves go there and see if there is anything there it can eat or drink. If it’s a puddle you can fill it with soil. If it’s a dead animal you can have it removed or remove it yourself. It may be garbage or leftover food or even feces of another animal. Whatever it is clearing your yard of detritus and controlling water sources will keep animals away.