Did not know that this was a common practice. I thought it was mostly, or only, done with pears. You know, to get a perfect, beautiful pear inside a bottle that would later be filled with pear brandy. Known as Williams Birne. Looks neat. Sort of like a worm in a tequila bottle. Which to me does not really look neat.............

Raccoons are real pests to a gardening and birder. I have solved the rampages on my compost bins. Of course no meat or dairy to attract them, but as mentioned fruit is a favorite and it's such a great addition to compost. Now I have closed and locked bins or tubs. I use a Hav-A-Hart live trap to relocate because just the smell of the compost draws them. They are winning on the bird feeder attacks. I can't get a shepherd hook tall enough or suspend a feeder far enough from a tree. I even ran a fine gauge stainless cable between to trees at what should have been a safe distance and they walk or hang on the wire.If they get to the feeder and can't access the food they rip it down or try to destroy it. Yet, I keep trying.Be aware it is possible for raccoons to carry rabies so I wear thick leather long armed rose pruning gloves when lifting trap. I have pick-up truck to transport. No big deal to catch a possum, but so smelly so I always line truck bed with cardboard. Now skunk trapping is an entirely different challenge.