Racoons tearing apart garbage - Village contact to get rid of them?

[dadspet]

Our neighborhood has several racoons (caught on Security Cam) that come out at night when the garbage is put out and tear it apart leaving a mess. This has been happening for several months and is really getting old. Garbage cans would solve the problem but aren't allowed in The Villages. We have tried double and triple bagging, ammonia, mint, black extra strong bags, putting garbage out in the early morning and nothing works.

Is there any group in The Villages that has the responsibility for wildlife removal we could contact?

[Velvet]

I buy scented garbage bags, and when next door renter puts garbage out with food I spray their bag with Lysol, or cleaning vinegar. No food smell means no birds or creatures. Garbage cans would mean noise, diesel truck emptying and crushing like in the city… yuk.

[Bill14564]

Our neighborhood has several racoons (caught on Security Cam) that come out at night when the garbage is put out and tear it apart leaving a mess. This has been happening for several months and is really getting old. Garbage cans would solve the problem but aren't allowed in The Villages. We have tried double and triple bagging, ammonia, mint, black extra strong bags, putting garbage out in the early morning and nothing works.

Is there any group in The Villages that has the responsibility for wildlife removal we could contact?

Which area are you in? Haven't seen any problems near Hillsborough .... yet.

[Arctic Fox]

Our neighborhood has several racoons (caught on Security Cam) that come out at night when the garbage is put out and tear it apart leaving a mess.

Garbage is not meant to be left out overnight but should be put out the morning of collection. This can be tricky as collection is not always at the same time (or may be very early in your area) but realistically there is no way of eliminating wild animals in an area with so many preserves and golf courses.

[dadspet]

I buy scented garbage bags, and when next door renter puts garbage out with food I spray their bag with Lysol, or cleaning vinegar. No food smell means no birds or creatures. Garbage cans would mean noise, diesel truck emptying and crushing like in the city… yuk.

I've tried scented mint bag, spraying with Ammonia and triple bagging. Which hasn't worked against Racoons !

[dadspet]

Garbage is not meant to be left out overnight but should be put out the morning of collection. This can be tricky as collection is not always at the same time (or may be very early in your area) but realistically there is no way of eliminating wild animals in an area with so many preserves and golf courses.

One neighbor puts out their garbage at about 5AM and the racoons still get into it. Our collection is before 6AM and not many are willing to get up before this and put out garbage especially since one neighbor does and it doesn't stop the racoons.

[dewilson58]

Is there any group in The Villages that has the responsibility for wildlife removal we could contact?

Do you live in a city or in the county..............that is who you contact.

[Stu from NYC]

Garbage is not meant to be left out overnight but should be put out the morning of collection. This can be tricky as collection is not always at the same time (or may be very early in your area) but realistically there is no way of eliminating wild animals in an area with so many preserves and golf courses.

No raccons but our garbage is usually picked up by 6 30 and who is going to get out that early to put it out?

[JSR22]

No raccons but our garbage is usually picked up by 6 30 and who is going to get out that early to put it out?

We put it out in the morning. We are up before 6:30

[Bill14564]

Garbage is not meant to be left out overnight but should be put out the morning of collection. This can be tricky as collection is not always at the same time (or may be very early in your area) but realistically there is no way of eliminating wild animals in an area with so many preserves and golf courses.

Garbage is not meant to be put out before 5PM of the evening before it is picked up. For me, this means leaving out overnight. As others have posted, not many are likely to get up before 6:30AM to beat the truck.

[Kenswing]

Call Animal Control for whatever county you’re in and see if they’ll come out and set some traps and relocate the critters.

[ThirdOfFive]

Garbage is not meant to be put out before 5PM of the evening before it is picked up. For me, this means leaving out overnight. As others have posted, not many are likely to get up before 6:30AM to beat the truck.
True. I usually put ours out by about 9:00 PM or so the night before.

We freeze waste items that could cause problems if the scent gets out (meat and fat scraps, bones, cantaloupe rinds, banana peels, etc.), and double-bag the lot just before I put out the garbage. It stays frozen at least to the point where it doesn't begin to smell by morning. We've only had a couple of issues (crows) and that was some time back.

[EastCoastDawg]

Garbage is not meant to be put out before 5PM of the evening before it is picked up.

Per DistrictGov it is "not before 9pm".

We put all of our vegetal waste in our composter and double-bag any animal waste (meat, bones etc.) in the plastic "Daily Sun" bags. We back onto a preserve where there are raccoons, bobcats, possums and coyotes (and the occasional feral hog) and have never had our trash bag ripped open.

[Bill14564]

Per DistrictGov it is "not before 9pm".

We put all of our vegetal waste in our composter and double-bag any animal waste (meat, bones etc.) in the plastic "Daily Sun" bags. We back onto a preserve where there are raccoons, bobcats, possums and coyotes (and the occasional feral hog) and have never had our trash bag ripped open.

Here’s mine:
From the Curbside Residential Collection Information: Bags must be placed for collection before 6AM on your collection day or the night before (no sooner than 5PM)

From my District Rules: The day before scheduled pickup shall mean garbage/trash shall not be placed curbside earlier than 5:00 p.m.

Now you show me yours

[Bogie Shooter]

Seems understandable.....................Village Community Development Districts (http://www.districtgov.org)


All household waste should be placed in a sealed
tall kitchen trash bag or a 20-30 gallon trash bag
(any color). All materials can be placed in the
same bag, no need to sort! The trash bags should
be placed together at the end of your driveway,
no garbage cans/bins are allowed (they will be
disposed of with household waste). Each bag
should weigh no more than forty (40) pounds. Bags
must be placed for collection before 6AM on your
collection day or the night before (no sooner than
5PM) Collection times may vary. Deed Restrictions
do not permit leaving trash out on undesignated
days. Wrap broken glass or other sharp objects in
newspaper and place them where they cannot cause
injury. For a list of holidays that may affect your
normal collection day, please visit DistrictGov.org.

[Stu from NYC]

We put it out in the morning. We are up before 6:30

Figured there was an early riser out there somewhere. Luckily for us in our neighborhood there seems to be no hungry raccoons

[maggie1]

Call Animal Control for whatever county you’re in and see if they’ll come out and set some traps and relocate the critters.

I'd make book on it that if a raccoon is trapped, that it will not be relocated - it must be killed. Smart, but destructive little buggers who carry with it all kinds of diseases including rabies.

[gweisheipl]

Put your garbage out in the morning like the rest of us and your problem is solved!

Our neighborhood has several racoons (caught on Security Cam) that come out at night when the garbage is put out and tear it apart leaving a mess. This has been happening for several months and is really getting old. Garbage cans would solve the problem but aren't allowed in The Villages. We have tried double and triple bagging, ammonia, mint, black extra strong bags, putting garbage out in the early morning and nothing works.

Is there any group in The Villages that has the responsibility for wildlife removal we could contact?

[DeeCee Dubya]

Pellet rifle

[JSR22]

Figured there was an early riser out there somewhere. Luckily for us in our neighborhood there seems to be no hungry raccoons

I live around the corner from you.

[Stu from NYC]

I live around the corner from you.

Oopos maybe we are uphill and the little critters do not want to run uphill.:undecided:

[Rzepecki]

Our neighborhood has several racoons (caught on Security Cam) that come out at night when the garbage is put out and tear it apart leaving a mess. This has been happening for several months and is really getting old. Garbage cans would solve the problem but aren't allowed in The Villages. We have tried double and triple bagging, ammonia, mint, black extra strong bags, putting garbage out in the early morning and nothing works.

Is there any group in The Villages that has the responsibility for wildlife removal we could contact?

Try vinegar instead of ammonia. Ammonia may be attracting animals.

[pauld315]

Per DistrictGov it is "not before 9pm".

We put all of our vegetal waste in our composter and double-bag any animal waste (meat, bones etc.) in the plastic "Daily Sun" bags. We back onto a preserve where there are raccoons, bobcats, possums and coyotes (and the occasional feral hog) and have never had our trash bag ripped open.

Everybody is asleep by 9, especially if you want to be able to put your garbage out before the truck comes !

[EastCoastDawg]

Here’s mine: From the Curbside Residential Collection Information: Bags must be placed for collection before 6AM on your collection day or the night before (no sooner than 5PM) ; From my District Rules: The day before scheduled pickup shall mean garbage/trash shall not be placed curbside earlier than 5:00 p.m.

Now you show me yours


More than happy to, Bill:

https://www.districtgov.org/community/PDFs/Sanitation%20QA%20Tri%20County.pdf?v=20220225

"What time can I put out the garbage?
Garbage bags must be placed at the curb no sooner than 9 p.m. the day before your scheduled pick up and no later than 6:00 a.m. the day of pickup."

[blueash]

Put your garbage out in the morning like the rest of us and your problem is solved!

Why can some people here absolutely not have any reading comprehension then bloviate erroneously? See example above... in response to this extremely clear OP message


Originally Posted by dadspet View Post
.... We have tried...., putting garbage out in the early morning and nothing works.

[Bill14564]

More than happy to, Bill:

https://www.districtgov.org/community/PDFs/Sanitation%20QA%20Tri%20County.pdf?v=20220225

"What time can I put out the garbage?
Garbage bags must be placed at the curb no sooner than 9 p.m. the day before your scheduled pick up and no later than 6:00 a.m. the day of pickup."

Yep, that's an issue. Seems that site has an inconsistency.

Here are the External Deed restrictions for District 12 (https://www.districtgov.org/departments/community-standards/images/compliance-standards/District12_Rules.pdf?v=202203) effective October 1, 2021. Under Garbage/Trash:
The day before scheduled pickup shall mean garbage/trash shall not be placed curbside earlier than 5:00 p.m.

[EastCoastDawg]

Yep, that's an issue. Seems that site has an inconsistency.

My thinking is that any time after it gets dark(ish) should be fine - don't want the neighborhood looking unsightly, but have to take into account that a lot of we oldies go to bed quite early.

[EastCoastDawg]

Garbage is not meant to be left out overnight but should be put out the morning of collection. This can be tricky as collection is not always at the same time (or may be very early in your area) but realistically there is no way of eliminating wild animals in an area with so many preserves and golf courses.

I'm sure the critter in our neighborhood had white fur and a bushy tail

Now, I'm not saying that it's Arctic Fox getting into the trash, but...

[Worldseries27]

i've tried scented mint bag, spraying with ammonia and triple bagging. Which hasn't worked against racoons !
long term rates available they eat what they shoot .

[Arctic Fox]

I'm sure the critter in our neighborhood had white fur and a bushy tail

Now, I'm not saying that it's Arctic Fox getting into the trash, but...

A scurrilous accusation, Mr Dawg - just for that I'm sending my friends the raccoons over to you this evening :icon_wink:

[Kennybmd]

Same problem, call animal control. $500 to trap and remove one racoon.. LOL
:bigbow:

[DaleDivine]

Garbage is not meant to be put out before 5PM of the evening before it is picked up. For me, this means leaving out overnight. As others have posted, not many are likely to get up before 6:30AM to beat the truck.

I don't usually go to bed until after 10 or 11. Always up between 4:15 and 5 every day. Our trash pickup is around 7 Monday and Thursday, soooo when I go out to get my paper I always take my trash out then. NOOO issues in 8 years...
:bowdown::bowdown:

[Stu from NYC]

A scurrilous accusation, Mr Dawg - just for that I'm sending my friends the raccoons over to you this evening :icon_wink:

Anyone want to rent a bb gun for a day or two?

[wamley]

Garbage cans don't work unless you tie the lids down, than the garbagemen complain, it takes too much time.

[MillerD]

Our neighborhood has several racoons (caught on Security Cam) that come out at night when the garbage is put out and tear it apart leaving a mess. This has been happening for several months and is really getting old. Garbage cans would solve the problem but aren't allowed in The Villages. We have tried double and triple bagging, ammonia, mint, black extra strong bags, putting garbage out in the early morning and nothing works.

Is there any group in The Villages that has the responsibility for wildlife removal we could contact?
We agree. Not using garbage cans is seriously unsanitary and dangerous. We have 1 in the garage but aren't allowed to put it out. This is strange for a supposed upscale community.

Raccoons are nasty and carry rabies. They will bite and the Villages is just attracting them. It's not the animals fault.

[MillerD]

I don't usually go to bed until after 10 or 11. Always up between 4:15 and 5 every day. Our trash pickup is around 7 Monday and Thursday, soooo when I go out to get my paper I always take my trash out then. NOOO issues in 8 years...
:bowdown::bowdown:

Raccoons are nocturnal. Not everyone is up at 5. Am.

[MillerD]

Btw. I have seen crows too ripping open bags.

[Bonanza]

Pellet rifle

The thought of harming wildlife is atrocious when they are only trying to survive in an area where mankind has infringed upon their territory!

Like it or not, it is the fault of the developer because he is too cheap to mandate trash cans, and the residents who don't want them are equally at fault. Our landfills are overcome with plastic bags from 125,000+ residents who put out their trash twice a week. These bags will take hundreds of years to disintegrate. Do you have any idea of the disaster you have planned for future generations and your grandchildren???

The first thing you can do is stop putting garbage in the trash. Everyone has a garbage disposal. Use it! And yes -- you CAN put chicken bones down them. Garbage disposals need roughage to run properly. And if you're really concerned, yes -- get up early and put your trash out then. Otherwise, you can sleep all day and stay up all night and be on watch outside for the hungry critters and scare them away!

Guess whose fault this "problem" really is?????

[Kenswing]

The thought of harming wildlife is atrocious when they are only trying to survive in an area where mankind has infringed upon their territory!

Like it or not, it is the fault of the developer because he is too cheap to mandate trash cans, and the residents who don't want them are equally at fault. Our landfills are overcome with plastic bags from 125,000+ residents who put out their trash twice a week. These bags will take hundreds of years to disintegrate. Do you have any idea of the disaster you have planned for future generations and your grandchildren???

The first thing you can do is stop putting garbage in the trash. Everyone has a garbage disposal. Use it! And yes -- you CAN put chicken bones down them. Garbage disposals need roughage to run properly. And if you're really concerned, yes -- get up early and put your trash out then. Otherwise, you can sleep all day and stay up all night and be on watch outside for the hungry critters and scare them away!

Guess whose fault this "problem" really is?????

Not sure how many times you’ll need to be told before it’ll sink in but our trash doesn’t go to a landfill. It’s incinerated. As far as trash cans go, with twice a week collection there would always be cans in the street. Lids all over the place. No thanks. I’ll deal with the occasional critter getting into someone’s bag.

[Bonanza]

Not sure how many times you’ll need to be told before it’ll sink in but our trash doesn’t go to a landfill. It’s incinerated. As far as trash cans go, with twice a week collection there would always be cans in the street. Lids all over the place. No thanks. I’ll deal with the occasional critter getting into someone’s bag.

I'm not a five-year-old child and don't have to be spoken to like one.

Yeah, you'll deal with it because it isn't in your driveway!

Since you're so smart, what about the air pollution incineration causes, and then what becomes of the remains from the incineration which is still a pollutant?

There are many more "real" reasons for having trash cans and not using plastic bags for trash! Why don't other communities have a problem with trash cans or is it limited to enabled residents who are simply lazy and make up non-excuses for having a trash can?

Huh???

[twoplanekid]

The thought of harming wildlife is atrocious when they are only trying to survive in an area where mankind has infringed upon their territory!

Like it or not, it is the fault of the developer because he is too cheap to mandate trash cans, and the residents who don't want them are equally at fault. Our landfills are overcome with plastic bags from 125,000+ residents who put out their trash twice a week. These bags will take hundreds of years to disintegrate. Do you have any idea of the disaster you have planned for future generations and your grandchildren???

The first thing you can do is stop putting garbage in the trash. Everyone has a garbage disposal. Use it! And yes -- you CAN put chicken bones down them. Garbage disposals need roughage to run properly. And if you're really concerned, yes -- get up early and put your trash out then. Otherwise, you can sleep all day and stay up all night and be on watch outside for the hungry critters and scare them away!

Guess whose fault this "problem" really is?????



Effective December 27, 2012 The North Sumter County Utility Dependent District (NSCUDD) became the provider of the solid waste sanitation services for the Marion and Sumter County portion of The Villages located in VCDD Nos. 1 thorough 10 when it purchased Sumter Sanitation. Sumter Sanitation also provides services to VCDD No. 11 in Lake County. The Sumter Sanitation services are contracted through CH2M HILL/Jacobs.

Sumter Sanitation was owned by the Developer and NSCUDD occasionally purchases the rights for sanitation services from the Developer. So, a public board with 7 elected members now directs the operation of solid waste sanitation services in these areas of the Villages. If you would like to suggest better ways for NSCUDD to operate, you are always welcome to attend one of our public board meetings. The next one will be held this coming Tuesday at 3PM in the SeaBreeze Rec center with the following agenda items found here -> NovusAGENDA (https://district.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/MeetingView.aspx?MeetingID=2453&MinutesMeetingID=-1&doctype=Agenda)

and yes -> Beginning October 1, 2020, all solid waste and yard waste in the Village Community Development Districts 1-11, located in Sumter County, Marion County and The Villages of Fruitland Park, will be collected and transported by Jacobs to the Covanta Lake II, Inc. Energy from Waste (EfW) facility in Okahumpka.

[Stu from NYC]

I'm not a five-year-old child and don't have to be spoken to like one.

Yeah, you'll deal with it because it isn't in your driveway!

Since you're so smart, what about the air pollution incineration causes, and then what becomes of the remains from the incineration which is still a pollutant?

There are many more "real" reasons for having trash cans and not using plastic bags for trash! Why don't other communities have a problem with trash cans or is it limited to enabled residents who are simply lazy and make up non-excuses for having a trash can?

Huh???

There is a very interesting video on how our trash is treated, you might change your opinion if you get the opportunity to watch it

[Peglet]

I’m new here but would plastic garbage cans with lids work to keep the raccoons, etc. from getting to bags? Sanitation can simply pop off lid and lift bag out.

[Bonanza]

There is a very interesting video on how our trash is treated, you might change your opinion if you get the opportunity to watch it

Yes, I would be interested in seeing it as would many others, I think.
Would you happen to know the Internet site offhand?
Thanks!

[Bonanza]

I’m new here but would plastic garbage cans with lids work to keep the raccoons, etc. from getting to bags? Sanitation can simply pop off lid and lift bag out.

No, Peglet. You cannot use a trash can in The Villages. If you do, they will simply trash your trash can! The rule is that your trash must be bagged. They say in black bags but I always used Walmart bags and that was not a problem. We never had much trash but if we did, we used more than one bag.

[Dotneko]

Would the folks too lazy to get up in the morning be happier to hear trash cans bang, bang, banging every 50 feet twice a week?
Those metal alarm clocks would be worse.

[Bogie Shooter]

No, Peglet. You cannot use a trash can in The Villages. If you do, they will simply trash your trash can! The rule is that your trash must be bagged. They say in black bags but I always used Walmart bags and that was not a problem. We never had much trash but if we did, we used more than one bag.

This seems to be in past tense, are you no longer in The Villages?

[twoplanekid]

It's fine and enjoyable to discuss many topics on this internet forum site. However, if you would like to see an change in the operations of systems in the Villages that maintain what the Developer has sold to public entities then you should attend the various CDD board meetings that control what you might want changed. If you are not familiar with how CDDs work in the Villages, I would suggest that you attend a CDD orientation. I did many years ago and now am serving my second 4 year term of office on the NSCUDD board.

This valuable program, CDD orientation is held on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM in the District office located at 984 Old Mill Run in Lake Sumter Landing. For additional information, please contact the District Customer Service Center at 352-753-4508.

[mikeycereal]

Welp, no garbage men on Labor day. Maybe they'll come tomorrow? I left a medium box out last night with 2 walmart bags inside. Just moved it from the driveway edge to near my front door this morning after the no-show. Not as bad as raccoons or crows, but a lot of ants in there. Would hate for them to make a path to my house but they were already in my grass. Hate them ants.

[mlmarr]

Garbage is not meant to be left out overnight but should be put out the morning of collection. This can be tricky as collection is not always at the same time (or may be very early in your area) but realistically there is no way of eliminating wild animals in an area with so many preserves and golf courses.

put your trash out in the AM ... animals were here first .. respect that part..

[mlmarr]

put your trash out in the AM ... animals were here first .. respect that part..
next trash day will be your normal pick up day .. not on Tuesday .. :BigApplause:

[Bill14564]

Welp, no garbage men on Labor day. Maybe they'll come tomorrow? I left a medium box out last night with 2 walmart bags inside. Just moved it from the driveway edge to near my front door this morning after the no-show. Not as bad as raccoons or crows, but a lot of ants in there. Would hate for them to make a path to my house but they were already in my grass. Hate them ants.

I assume you live in District 13. According to the information on districtgov.org and the District Weekly Bulletin, there will be no pickup on the 5th (today) and the next collection will be on Thursday the 8th.

[Robbb]

Aren't they just doing what racoons do? Sweep up the mess and be satisfied knowing you fed a hungry animal.

[Stu from NYC]

Aren't they just doing what racoons do? Sweep up the mess and be satisfied knowing you fed a hungry animal.

And once they know where to find the food they will be back and back and back

[Bonanza]

Would the folks too lazy to get up in the morning be happier to hear trash cans bang, bang, banging every 50 feet twice a week?
Those metal alarm clocks would be worse.

Not a problem. You're living in the dark ages.
The bang, bang trash cans you describe are obsolete.
The current heavy-duty trash cans are made of heavy plastic and don't bang bang!
Problem solved. :thumbup:

[rsimpson]

Pellet rifle

Ha ha - That's my recomendation. Works for me up here in New Hampshire. I guess I'll bring down my Gamo Silent Cat for the winter...

[Arctic Fox]

Another problem with picking up before it gets light is that they sometimes miss stuff.

I had no household garbage (in a light bag) this morning but only garden waste (in a darker, paper bag) and it was missed when they came by around 6am.

Not usually a problem, but we leave later today for two weeks so will have to ask a neighbor to put it out on Thursday.

[JMintzer]

Another problem with picking up before it gets light is that they sometimes miss stuff.

I had no household garbage (in a light bag) this morning but only garden waste (in a darker, paper bag) and it was missed when they came by around 6am.

Not usually a problem, but we leave later today for two weeks so will have to ask a neighbor to put it out on Thursday.

We were told to drop off trash in the dumpsters by any of the rec centers if we were leaving prior to trash day...

[twoplanekid]

We were told to drop off trash in the dumpsters by any of the rec centers if we were leaving prior to trash day...

At the NSCUDD board meeting today, I asked this question and was told by District staff that the dumpsters at the rec centers are not to be used by residents for their personal trash at any time.

[Rodneysblue]

Our neighborhood has several racoons (caught on Security Cam) that come out at night when the garbage is put out and tear it apart leaving a mess. This has been happening for several months and is really getting old. Garbage cans would solve the problem but aren't allowed in The Villages. We have tried double and triple bagging, ammonia, mint, black extra strong bags, putting garbage out in the early morning and nothing works.

Is there any group in The Villages that has the responsibility for wildlife removal we could contact?

All quiet on the Orange Blossom Front.

[Stu from NYC]

At the NSCUDD board meeting today, I asked this question and was told by District staff that the dumpsters at the rec centers are not to be used by residents for their personal trash at any time.

Leave it for the wild life than

[JMintzer]

At the NSCUDD board meeting today, I asked this question and was told by District staff that the dumpsters at the rec centers are not to be used by residents for their personal trash at any time.

Well, I did it the last time I left for a while...

The security guard was sitting in his car, watching me as I did it...

He waved as I drove off...

[Blueblaze]

Hmmm... Plastic trashcans are banned but pellet guns are not. Sounds like the CDD has spoken!

Actually, racoons are pretty smart. I bet you could plink a few in the butt with a bb gun and solve the problem. Might even be worth getting up in the middle of the night!

Any other Southern boys up for a good old-fashioned coon hunt?

[Stu from NYC]

Hmmm... Plastic trashcans are banned but pellet guns are not. Sounds like the CDD has spoken!

Actually, racoons are pretty smart. I bet you could plink a few in the butt with a bb gun and solve the problem. Might even be worth getting up in the middle of the night!

Any other Southern boys up for a good old-fashioned coon hunt?

Pellet guns I would think would be a county ordinance would it not?

[Garywt]

Garbage is not meant to be left out overnight but should be put out the morning of collection. This can be tricky as collection is not always at the same time (or may be very early in your area) but realistically there is no way of eliminating wild animals in an area with so many preserves and golf courses.

Our entire neighborhood puts trash out the night before. That is what we were told to do when we bought it. Not sure who told you not to.

[Blueblaze]

Pellet guns I would think would be a county ordinance would it not?

Could be, but air rifles are not "firearms" -- no "fire". Most places they're completely legal inside city limits, but in our strange "bubble"? Who knows. I bet the county would suddenly take an interest in the racoon problem if Villagers created a pellet gun coon hunting club, and dead 'coons started showing up next to the plastic bags on trash day!

[DAVES]

Our neighborhood has several racoons (caught on Security Cam) that come out at night when the garbage is put out and tear it apart leaving a mess. This has been happening for several months and is really getting old. Garbage cans would solve the problem but aren't allowed in The Villages. We have tried double and triple bagging, ammonia, mint, black extra strong bags, putting garbage out in the early morning and nothing works.

Is there any group in The Villages that has the responsibility for wildlife removal we could contact?

Beware. they seem cute. They can be vicious particularly when they have babies with them.

I remember having them attacking our garbage cans. I called the ASPCA spoke to a nice lady. She told me they have a plan for a racoon proof holder. She then told me the racoons must have also requested a copy of the plan and they have learned to defeat it.

You can purchase repellants. Mothballs seem to work. Since we moved to the villages my wife is a better cook. Strange the racoons, these southern racoons, do not like her chicken as much as the northern ones did.

[Stu from NYC]

Could be, but air rifles are not "firearms" -- no "fire". Most places they're completely legal inside city limits, but in our strange "bubble"? Who knows. I bet the county would suddenly take an interest in the racoon problem if Villagers created a pellet gun coon hunting club, and dead 'coons started showing up next to the plastic bags on trash day!

Lets start a club but only if we can also get those squirrels also.