Raccoons can be super adorable, and these furry little creatures try to steal your heart at first glance. But, do not let their level of cuteness fool you – they can be supremely reckless when it comes to getting into your trash and any nooks and corners of your house.
If you see garbage all over your yard every morning, it’s probably a raccoon rifling through your trash cans. There’s stinky trash all over, it’s unsanitary, and it’s unattractive, especially first thing in the morning. These devious creatures won’t make a mess in your garden if you use a couple of methods. You can prevent trash can vandalism by ensuring your trash can is closed correctly and stored somewhere out of reach.
Rethink Trash Day Strategy
Instead of putting out your garbage the night before, put it out the morning of pickup. Most raccoon damage is done at night. It can save you a lot of frustration to take out your trash before work in the morning.
- Invest in a wildlife-resistant trash can
- Double-bag trash to contain odors
- Use a trash can to protect garbage bags instead of placing them curbside
- Bungee cords should be used to secure lids.
- Use a weight to secure trash can lids
Use Animal Repellent
Keep raccoons away from your trash by using animal repellent. Raccoons are driven away from protected areas by the scent, taste, or a combination of the two.
Around trash cans, use granular animal repellent. As you put trash cans, recycling bins, or trash bags curbside, spray them with a liquid animal repellent. You’ll achieve longer-term success if you use both repelling methods. Make sure to reapply repellent regularly. If necessary, reapply.
A raccoon repellent can frighten them away as well. If it senses a raccoon approaching, an electronic repellent will send a burst of motion and sound. You will get excellent results if you place the sprinkler and sensor where the raccoons will be approaching. If you’re opposed to using chemical repellents, here is a guide on using natural repellents for raccoons.
Smell Attracts Raccoons
Raccoons tend to be attracted to trash cans by the smell of the trash, so double-pack your trash to reduce the odor. Raccoons dislike ammonia and mothball scents. Spread mothballs around the outside of the trash can to deter creatures from getting too close. Pour smelling ammonia on your waste to discourage animals from getting too close.
They’re Smart
However, don’t belittle the intelligence of this animal despite all the ways that you can prevent a raccoon. Raccoons may overrun your snags in the end. You should frequently change your strategy to confuse the raccoons. Yes, you read this right. They’re clever enough that you’ll need to outsmart them to save your trash from being scattered around your front lawn! Here is an interesting read about raccoons.
If you want to schedule a specific time for your trash picking so that you can avoid the whole night-time raccoon situation, give us a call at Dave’s Hauling, and we’ll take care of it right away. We do it all.