Raccoons are highly adaptable omnivores found across North America. They thrive in urban and suburban environments due to their opportunistic feeding habits. Their dexterity and keen senses often lead them directly to human food sources, making them a common sight raiding garbage bins and scavenging compost piles. This frequent interaction with our food waste raises questions about what these masked mammals consume, particularly regarding discarded fruit scraps like banana peels.
The Specific Answer About Banana Peels
A raccoon is capable of eating a banana peel, as this plant material is non-toxic. The peel contains nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and fiber, offering caloric and mineral intake if consumed. However, the banana peel is not a preferred food source and is typically avoided when better options are available.
The tough, fibrous texture and relatively low sugar content are generally unappealing compared to the fruit pulp. Raccoons are efficient foragers who prioritize meals offering a high caloric return for minimal effort, such as the soft, sweet fruit. Consumption of the peel usually occurs only in situations of extreme resource scarcity, such as when the natural diet is unavailable and competition for refuse is high.
Raccoon Dietary Habits
Raccoons are generalist feeders, meaning their diet naturally includes a vast array of both plant and animal matter. In natural settings, their preferred foods are typically high-protein items like crayfish, frogs, insects, and small rodents. They also consume seasonal fruits, berries, and nuts such as acorns and beechnuts. Their sensitive front paws allow them to forage effectively, often finding aquatic prey or grub worms beneath the soil.
In human-inhabited areas, their diet shifts dramatically to exploit easily accessible, high-value food waste. They actively seek out discarded processed foods, meat scraps, and high-sugar items found in garbage. This demonstrates a preference for foods that mirror their natural craving for fat and sugar. This preference explains why the sweet, soft banana pulp is highly desirable, while the difficult-to-digest peel is usually left behind.
Practical Steps for Securing Food Waste
Because raccoons are primarily motivated by scent and ease of access, securing outdoor food waste is the most effective method of deterrence. Standard garbage cans should be secured with tight-fitting lids and reinforced with external locking mechanisms. Examples include rubber bungee cords stretched over the top or a permanent latch installed directly into the can and lid.
An alternative is storing trash bins indoors, such as in a garage or shed, until the morning of collection. Masking the odors of food waste can also be helpful since raccoons possess a keen sense of smell. Soaking cotton balls or rags in ammonia or vinegar and placing them near the bins creates a pungent environment raccoons find highly offensive.
Securing Compost Systems
For compost systems, the focus must be on using a fully enclosed bin with a locking lid or a compost tumbler, as open piles are easily raided. Food scraps should always be buried deep within the compost pile and covered with a layer of “brown” material like leaves or wood chips. Avoid composting meat, dairy, or oily foods, as these items create strong odors and attract pests, including raccoons, that are difficult to discourage.