Raccoons are a lot of fun to watch, but they can be destructive if they invade your home. They’re also quite adept at getting into trash cans, which could mean that you have raccoons in or around your home.
If this is the case, you’ll need to take steps to keep them out of your garbage cans so that you don’t end up with a mess on your hands (or underfoot).
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Don’t leave food outside, especially overnight, as it’s likely to attract raccoons. |
| Use a heavy-duty trash can with a secure lid, and fasten the lid tightly with a bungee cord or other locking mechanism. |
| Consider using a trash can with metal or plastic clips to prevent raccoons from lifting the lid. |
| Spraying hot pepper spray or garlic water around the perimeter of the trash can or placing ammonia-soaked rags nearby can help deter raccoons. |
| Live traps can be used to catch and relocate raccoons humanely, but check your local laws and regulations beforehand. |
Properly Secure Trash
If you have a trash can with a lid, use it. It’s simple enough, but many people don’t bother to secure their trash bags properly.
Most cans come with lids that make this step easy—simply lift the lid over your bag and secure it there until you’re ready to take out the garbage.
If your trash is outside without a lid, try using a plastic bag instead of newspaper or cardboard as suggested above.
Raccoons are resourceful creatures who can tear through just about anything if they want to get in something badly enough—but plastic is one thing they aren’t able to chew through easily (at least not quickly).
If you do use plastic bags for your kitchen wastebaskets and such, make sure they’re tightly sealed so no critters can get inside!
Another option is composting bins: if this applies to you at all (elderly folks often have yards where composting makes sense), keep these containers covered at all times except when adding new material into them (again: only do this when necessary).
Don’t let raccoons raid your trash bins all night long. With our simple and effective tips, you can keep raccoons away with ease and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.
Close Lids
Raccoons are able to open lids with their paws. This is especially true of the small dumpster lids that you may have in your backyard.
If you want to keep raccoons out of trash, one thing you can do is make sure that all garbage bins have secure lids on them.
Raccoons are very good at climbing and can easily climb up the side of a garbage container and flip off the lid with their paws or even teeth if they’re desperate enough.
You don’t want this happening when you leave your trash out overnight or during a day when no one’s home!
| Point | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a heavy-duty trash can | A durable trash can will resist raccoons’ attempts to pry it open. |
| Fasten lid tightly with bungee cords or other mechanism | A tight-fitting lid is less likely to be knocked off or opened by raccoons. |
| Buy a trash can with metal or plastic clips | These clips keep the lid fully closed and prevent raccoons from getting inside. |
| Use a locking mechanism that requires a key or combination | This offers additional security against raccoons (and other pests) trying to access your trash. |
| Avoid leaving trash cans open for prolonged periods of time | Try to put your trash out on the morning of collection rather than the night before. |
Secure Lids
Use bungee cords or rope to secure the lids of your trash cans, compost bins and recycling bins. Raccoons can easily open a lid if it’s not secured.
If you don’t want to use bungee cords, try using a piece of chicken wire to cover your trash can or other containers until they are ready for pickup by the garbage truck or recycling center
Keep Food And Garbage Out Of Your Yard
Keep pet food inside. If you have a pet and keep the food for that pet outside, raccoons will be attracted to your yard and probably try to get into your house through the cat door or open windows.
Don’t leave garbage on your deck or patio. Even if you put it in a trash can, raccoons know how to open lids and will get into them anyway.
Don’t leave garbage out in the yard. If you have trash cans out there, make sure they have lids on them so that no one can reach inside of them easily enough; raccoons can figure out how to pry off those lids themselves!
Is there a persistent raccoon problem in your neighborhood? Learn how to get rid of raccoons humanely and effectively with our expert tips on raccoon removal.
Use Animal Proof Containers And Bins
First and foremost, use animal-proof containers and bins. If you have a raccoon problem, chances are good that your trash can has already been breached by these crafty animals.
You can avoid further problems by purchasing a new trash bin or making some modifications to the one you have.
Raccoons are strong, intelligent creatures that can find their way into even the most secure container if they want to badly enough.
They will chew through plastic bags and tear through metal lids in pursuit of tasty snacks. To keep them out of your garbage cans:
- Buy animal-resistant bins and recycling containers. There are several different styles available online; choose one based on your needs (and budget!).
- Make sure all bins have well-fitting lids with latches or other types of fasteners so raccoons cannot lift up the lid from underneath once it’s closed over their heads!
Eliminate Food Sources
The most important thing to do when trying to get rid of raccoons is to eliminate any food sources. Raccoons are attracted to trash, pet food, bird feeders and compost. They will eat almost anything if they have nothing else available.
Raccoons are especially attracted to pet food left on the ground or in bowls outside a house or apartment building. It’s best not to leave any of these foods outside where raccoons can get them because they’re going to go after it every time they see it as an easy meal!
| Point | Description |
|---|---|
| Don’t leave pet food outside overnight | Raccoons are attracted to pet food and will eat it if available. |
| Don’t leave bird feeders out overnight | Raccoons love bird seed and will easily climb a bird feeder to get it. |
| Secure outdoor garbage cans | A trash can with a tight-fitting lid will prevent raccoons from accessing food scraps. |
| Use compost bins with tight-fitting lids | Compost bins filled with food scraps are a magnet for raccoons. |
| Remove fallen fruit from trees regularly | Fruit trees offer a source of food for raccoons, especially in the fall. |
Clean Up After Barbeques
Raccoons often visit backyard barbeques for the food scraps, so it is important to keep all food inside.
Also, clean up all food scraps so that there aren’t any leftovers for raccoons or other animals to scavenge on. It’s also important not to leave food out overnight as this could attract raccoons and other wildlife.
Make sure you are disposing of your trash properly; don’t put the bag next to your home where it can be easily torn open by raccoons, who will then be able to feast on whatever is inside.
Finally, don’t dispose of pet food outside because it will attract raccoons as well as other animals such as skunks and foxes which could become aggressive if they are being fed by humans regularly
Catching a raccoon may seem daunting, but with our easy guide to raccoon trapping, you’ll be able to get rid of these pesky critters in no time.
Keep Pet Food Indoors
The Raccoon is an omnivorous mammal that will eat almost anything, including pet food. Keeping your pet food indoors at all times will help deter raccoons from coming into your yard and getting into your trash.
If you do not have a secure place inside to keep pet food, then be sure to pick up any spilled or dropped food in the yard daily.
Do not leave out any uneaten portions overnight as it may attract unwanted critters like raccoons or skunks.
Also be wary if you see signs of a raccoon infestation in your area; raccoons are notorious for being territorial animals and may take over an entire area if they feel threatened by other species sharing territory with them (it also helps explain why some neighborhoods have more problems than others).
Don’t Feed Raccoons Or Other Wildlife
The first step to keeping raccoons out of your trash is to not feed them. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of any source of food, even if it’s just leftovers in a garbage can.
If they see that they can gain access to the contents of a garbage can, they may return to that spot and start rummaging through other peoples’ trash as well.
It’s important to note that feeding wildlife is illegal in most areas—and for good reason! Not only does feeding wildlife encourage them to come back (and potentially frequent your property), but it can also attract other types of wild animals like bears or mountain lions who might be looking for an easy meal as well.
Clear Dense Brush And Tall Weeds Near Your Home
If you don’t have a large yard, you may be able to clear dense brush and tall weeds from your property.
This will remove hiding places for raccoons, making it harder for them to sneak up on your trash cans.
If clearing the area isn’t an option for you, then electric fences will help keep raccoons out of your yard.
Raccoons can wreak havoc in your garden, but there’s no need to despair. Check out our guide on keeping raccoons out of your garden to learn effective strategies to keep them at bay
Trim Your Trees
The first step to keeping raccoons out of your trash is to trim your trees. If you’ve seen a raccoon rummaging through your trash, you know that they’re smart enough to figure out how to get into it.
Raccoons are good climbers and can easily climb up trees and onto roofs, so it’s important that you keep the branches of any trees hanging over your house trimmed away from the structure itself.
Trim any branches that hang over your garage or trash cans as well—if they’re within reach of these areas, raccoons may be able to use them as footholds when trying to access the food inside.
In addition, make sure all tree branches are at least 10 feet away from your roof; if they touch it at all then a raccoon could use them as an easy way into your home!
| Point | Description |
|---|---|
| Keep tree branches at least 10 feet away from your house | This prevents raccoons from accessing the roof and other high-up areas. |
| Cut back overhanging branches | Tree branches that overhang your yard can give raccoons easy access to your property. |
| Remove climbing vines | Vines like ivy and wisteria can give raccoons a ladder to climb up trees and onto your roof. |
| Use squirrel-proof birdhouses | Raccoons will climb trees to access birdhouses if they’re not squirrel-proof. |
| Install metal sheeting or flashing around tree trunks | This makes it harder for raccoons to climb trees and access your roof. |
Conclusion
So, if you’re wondering “how do I keep raccoons out of my trash?” then the answer is simple. Make sure that all of your garbage cans have secure tops and lids and make sure they are not accessible to these furry critters.
Also, make sure that there are no food sources in your yard like pet food or barbecue leftovers because raccoons will eat just about anything!
Finally, be sure to clean up any spills immediately so that no animals will come around looking for an easy meal elsewhere
While ant control is important for maintaining a healthy garden, it’s also essential to balance it with preserving biodiversity. Discover tips for managing ants in your garden to promote both pest control and environmental sustainability.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on raccoon control and management:
9 Ways to Keep Raccoons Out of Garbage Cans: Trash Cans Unlimited provides a comprehensive guide with 9 ways to keep raccoons out of your garbage cans.
Raccoon Disco: Check out this fun article from New England Today that shares a unique way to keep raccoons away from your garden.
How to Keep Raccoons Out of a Trash Can: WikiHow offers a step-by-step guide on how to keep raccoons out of your trash cans.
FAQs
How do raccoons get into trash cans?
Raccoons are skilled climbers and have strong paws that can easily open lids, knock over cans, or tear through trash bags.
Why are raccoons attracted to trash cans?
Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and are attracted to easy sources of food. Trash cans are full of food scraps and other tempting items.
What are some natural ways to keep raccoons away from trash cans?
Some natural deterrents include spraying hot pepper spray or garlic water around the perimeter of the trash can, using motion-activated sprinklers, or placing ammonia-soaked rags near the cans.
Are there any humane ways to trap and remove raccoons?
Yes, live traps can be used to catch raccoons and relocate them to a nearby wildlife area. However, it’s important to check your local laws and regulations before doing so.
Is it possible to raccoon-proof a trash can?
Yes, there are many products on the market that are designed to make trash cans raccoon-proof, including locking lids, bungee cords, and metal cages.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
