I hate to tell you this, but the problem is not your neighbor. Raccoons and Rats are "garbage eaters." They will eat practically anything, INCLUDING your garbage and any fruits or vegetables you may grow in your backyard. Add to it you live near downtown -- a place full of dumpsters. You are fighting a battle you won't win, nor one you can place on your neighbor's shoulders.

We've used Keystone Pest Control and their kid/pet safe rat bait boxes for years. They really help control the problem, which we have as a result of our fruit trees, vegie garden, and proximity to the ever so clean campus of Amador High School. You might want to try giving Keystone a call.

I agree with AGR that the problem is a combination of things.
However, one thing you could do that would be a win-win situation is suggest your neighbor "foster" puppies and kittens. Tri Valley Shelter is always looking for foster parents, and perhaps if your neighbor is busy taking care of animals indoors, she won't continue the outdoor feeding.

I leaflet my neighbors once or twice a year and plead with them to stop feeding outdoors. It helps for awhile, though some die hards enjoy the spectacle of rats climbing a pole to get the food left for squirrels.

I've witnessed a pack of raccoons attack my daughters dog. They are not cute.

While cute, raccoons can be aggressive and destructive. I have observed them to come out of the storm drains around town during the winter months. Be careful as I have had one follow me down the street at night before and one challenged my Chow. Do not feed them as you will be asking for a destructive headache. Do not leave your garage door open as they get into things while rummaging.

Scott - Racoons are not cute they are a pain in the f------- a--!The neighbor will feed them. That is the problem!!!!!!

AGR - I don't have a backyard so your advise does not apply but thank you.... The problem is the neighbor and yes some downtown dumpsters.

No-Name - yea, no that will never happen. I tried!!!!!!! Thank you for your response.

Concerned;

The bait boxes can be used in places other than backyards. Again, Keystone could be worth calling.

As for your neighbor -- if it's really a problem, call Fish and Game. Feeding of wild animals (Raccoons) is illegal.

I see the racoons around the neighborhoods and most are getting into the garbage cans making a huge mess... However has anyone seen the wild turkeys running around lately. There were four on the neighbors lawn about a week ago. One actually attacked our car, biting at the tires and stopping us from driving. When we finally got around it to leave it chased us until we got too far away and then went after the car that was waiting behind us. I had no idea turkeys were so mean or would attack. I have to say it was a very pretty turkey (which surprised me). Had beautiful blue/green highlights around it's neck and head. Although still had the ugly reg piece hanging from it's chin. I'm just curious where they come from. Anyone know?

They're Rio Grande turkeys that were introduced into this area from Texas and Arizona. A large flock resides west of Foothill Road...

In some areas they have become a nuisance...

One thing you can do it trap them. You can purchase a trap on line for about $75.00. They are able to walk inside the cage for food scraps but cannot find there way back out. I then take them over and turn them lose on the other side of Foothill Road so they are not harmed in anyway.

Bob,

That is crazy! My brother in law lives in San Ramon backing up to a creek and is always trapping raccoons as well. He does the same thing with them. Let's them loose off Foothill road so that area must be teeming with the little critters.

While our old town is blessed with lots of mature trees and landscaping, it does offer homes to sometimes 'less than desirable' wildlife. One night I was reading in bed and felt 'creepy' like someone was watching me...turns out there was a family of racoons in the tree outside my window and yep, they were watching me...
I've had them come in the garage after the dog food - kept in a sealed can with a locking lid - and try to roll the entire bin out of the partially open garage...crafty little buggers...

Hopefully you can get your neighbor to stop feeding them, but there are plenty of fruit/nut trees, grapes and gardens around for them, so the attraction is still there. I'm told they generally are heading to water (creek, arroyo) in order to feed at night, using the storm drains as their transit system. I would cut them a wide swath, they can be mean, especially if cornered. Install a motion sensor light over your garbage cans too. As far as the rats go, adopt a big cat as a deterrent, but keep them in at night.
Good luck living in 'wild' suburbia!