Keeping raccoons, bears, dogs, and other wildlife from scattering your garbage all over your yard can be a frustrating problem. These uninvited guests can make a huge mess digging through trash cans in search of an easy meal. Fortunately, there are some simple solutions to keep animals out of your garbage.
Page Contents
- 1 Use a Trash Can with a Locking Lid
- 2 Use Bungee Cords to Secure the Lid
- 3 Use a Child Safety Lock
- 4 Weight Lid Down with Cinder Blocks
- 5 Secure Trash Can in Enclosure or Shed
- 6 Use Odor Control Methods
- 7 Try Motion-Activated Sprinklers
- 8 Use Repellent Sprays
- 9 Combine Strategies for Best Results
- 10 Be Persistent with Solutions
- 11 Conclusion
Use a Trash Can with a Locking Lid
Getting a trash can with a locking lid is an effective way to prevent animals from getting into your garbage. Look for cans with a tight sealing lid that latches or twists closed to secure the contents. Make sure to keep the lid closed at all times and locked whenever you put out garbage for collection.
Locking lids are especially useful for keeping out raccoons, which are clever enough to figure out how to open regular trash can lids. Raccoons are persistent, so you need bins that completely seal shut and prevent access.
Selecting a Locking Trash Can
When selecting a locking trash can, look for the following features:
- Durable plastic or metal construction
- Lid has rubber gasket to create a tight seal
- Latch or twist lock mechanism
- Handles for easy moving
- Resistant to weather and rust
- Capacity of 30-45 gallons or more
Make sure to choose the right size bin for your household’s garbage needs. Bigger cans around 45 gallons are ideal for families who have a lot of trash.
Benefits of a Locking Trash Can
- Prevents access by animals
- Contents stay cleaner and dryer
- Reduces odors
- Lock keeps lid tightly closed
Investing in a quality locking trash receptacle means you don’t have to worry about coming home to find your garbage strewn all over the place. The tight seal also helps contain smells.
Use Bungee Cords to Secure the Lid
If you don’t have a trash can with a locking lid, you can still secure it against animals by using bungee cords. Simply stretch bungee cords over the closed lid and hook onto the handles on either side of the can.
The elastic cords provide tension to press the lid down tightly and prevent raccoons from prying open the top. Choose thick, heavy-duty bungee cords that can provide plenty of downward force.
Tips for Using Bungee Cords
- Use at least two bungee cords for maximum hold
- Crisscross cords over lid for optimal pressure
- Check cords regularly for wear and replace
- Consider pairing with a cinderblock on the lid
In windy areas, you may need to add a cinder block or brick on top of the lid and bungee cord assembly to serve as extra weight. The block can help prevent the cover from blowing open.
Advantages of Bungee Cords
- Inexpensive solution
- Easy to find at any hardware store
- Can be used with your existing garbage cans
- Quick and simple to set up
Bungee cords are very affordable and widely available. They provide a fast, simple DIY system for securing trash can lids.
Use a Child Safety Lock
Another easy garbage can lock option is a child safety lock. Designed to keep kids out of cabinets, these locks can also work for latching a trash can lid shut.
Look for child safety locks that have an adjustable strap that can clamp around the lip of the garbage bin and the lid. Tighten the lock so it presses the top down snugly.
How to Install Child Safety Locks
Follow these steps when using child safety locks on trash cans:
- Clean rim of can and lid so lock adheres tightly
- Position lock over edge of lid and can
- Tighten strap until very taut
- Check lock regularly to ensure tight fit
High-quality adjustable child locks provide an easy yet effective barrier for all kinds of trash raiders. They typically come in multi-packs for low cost.
Benefits of Child Safety Locks
- Very easy to install
- Low cost for multi-pack
- Adjustable for tight fit
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
With child safety locks, you don’t have to buy new garbage cans to protect against animals. These universal locks provide a quick, cheap solution.
Weight Lid Down with Cinder Blocks
For a low-cost option, you can weight trash can lids down by placing cinder blocks or bricks on top of them. The heavy blocks apply downward force to compress the lid tightly in place.
Aim to use at least 50 pounds of weight – one or two cinder blocks should suffice for keeping lids closed under most conditions.
Tips for Weighting Down Lids
- Use a rubber mat or old towel to improve grip
- Make sure blocks sit securely and can’t easily be knocked off
- Consider bracing with bungee cords for extra hold
- Check position of blocks daily to ensure in place
Adding something like an old towel between the flat top of the trash can lid and the bottom of the block can help create more friction to keep the blocks from shifting out of position.
Benefits of Using Cinder Blocks
- Extremely inexpensive solution
- cinder blocks are readily available
- Simple and fast to set up
- Provides enough weight for most smaller animals
As long as you use heavy enough blocks, this method can effectively keep out pesky scavengers. It may not deter large bears though.
Secure Trash Can in Enclosure or Shed
For the most secure protection, keep your garbage cans locked inside an outdoor shed or enclosed structure. This will prevent animals from ever accessing the receptacles.
Build or buy a storage shed, garage, or enclosure just large enough to contain your garbage and recycling bins. Close it securely whenever you retrieve the cans or put them out.
Tips for Building Trash Enclosures
- Construct using durable materials like wood, metal, or plastic
- Make sure entryway has sturdy latch or lock
- Allow for ventilation to control smells
- Use skids or pallet base to prevent settling
Well-constructed sheds not only keep animals away from trash but also protect cans from weather and make clean-up easy by corralling messes.
Benefits of Secured Trash Enclosures
- Prevents all animals from accessing garbage
- Keeps cans out of the elements
- Reduces yard clutter
- Provides optimal sanitary conditions
Investing in a garbage can enclosure is the best long-term solution for animal control and cleanliness. This strategy completely eliminates the problem of trash invaders.
| Method | Cost | Effectiveness | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locking trash can | High | High | High |
| Bungee cords | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Child safety locks | Low | Medium | High |
| Cinder blocks | Very low | Medium | Low |
| Trash enclosure | High | High | Low |
Use Odor Control Methods
Along with physical deterrents, you can make your garbage less appealing to animals by reducing odors. Smelly trash is like a magnet for wildlife scavenging for food.
Here are some tips for controlling odors:
- Line cans with baking soda or absorptive zeolite liners
- Use trash bags with odor control
- Frequently wash cans with disinfectant
- Use air-tight bins for storage
- Keep lids closed at all times
- Empty trash regularly
Odor neutralizing products help prevent whiffs from escaping your garbage cans. Coupling these with physical barriers provides full protection.
Try Motion-Activated Sprinklers
For yards that get frequent animal visitors, motion-activated sprinklers can help teach them to avoid the area. These sprinklers attach to a standard garden hose and detect movement using infrared sensors.
When an animal gets close, the sprinkler instantly sprays water to startle it. Raccoons, deer, stray cats and other unwelcome yard guests will quickly learn to avoid areas protected by the sprinklers.
Tips for Using Motion Sprinklers
- Adjust range so only targets trash area
- Use sturdy ground stake to hold in place
- Combine with cage enclosure for optimal results
- Drain and store sprinkler during freezing weather
The surprise spray from a motion activated sprinkler is harmless but very effective for deterrence. Just make sure to protect the sprinkler from frost in colder climates.
Benefits of Motion Sprinklers
- Humane pest deterrent
- Reusable for multiple seasons
- Covers broad area
- Battery operated for portability
Motion-activated sprinklers provide a convenient hands-free way to discourage all kinds of nuisance animals without harming them.
Use Repellent Sprays
Certain commercial animal repellent sprays can be applied around trash cans to deter wildlife. These use ingredients like pepper extracts, garlic oil, or pungent fragrances that animals dislike.
Look for repellent sprays specially formulated for use around garbage cans. Reapply frequently, such as after rain or trash pickup days.
Tips for Repellent Sprays
- Choose a spray made just for trash cans
- Follow manufacturer instructions
- Reapply after rain, weekly or as needed
- Make sure spray won’t damage bins
Effectiveness varies by product. Most need reapplication every 7-10 days. Check labels and research consumer reviews before purchasing a repellent spray.
Benefits of Repellent Sprays
- Easy to apply by hand
- Temporary protection
- Multiple formulas available
- Safer than toxic chemicals
The right repellent spray can provide a quick, convenient deterrent. Just know frequent reapplication is required for ongoing effectiveness.
Combine Strategies for Best Results
For the most trouble-free garbage storage, your best bet is to combine multiple animal deterrent strategies. Layer physical impediments with odor control and scents or sprinklers for full protective coverage.
For instance, you could:
- Use locking trash cans inside a shed
- Secure regular cans with bungee cords and cinderblocks
- Add baking soda to absorb odors
- Spray repellent around the storage area
Taking multiple complementary approaches ensures there are no gaps in your defenses against pesky wildlife intruders. This provides reliable, comprehensive protection for your garbage storage needs.
Be Persistent with Solutions
When implementing any of these strategies, be aware that it make take days or weeks for animals to learn to leave your garbage alone. Be persistent and consistent applying deterrents until the creatures move on to easier pickings elsewhere.
If one method isn’t fully effective on its own, add additional layers of protection for better control. With time, wildlife will get the picture that your garbage isn’t the buffet they thought it was.
Conclusion
Unwanted animals raiding trash cans make an unpleasant mess that no one wants to deal with. But there are many effective options for securing your garbage from persistent wildlife. The right combination of locking bins, weighted lids, enclosed storage, odor control, and repellents will convince scavengers to go elsewhere.
Investing in sturdy locking trash receptacles provides the best line of defense. Supplement this with other deterrents as needed depending on which animals you need to discourage.
Be patient and persistent as you condition local wildlife that your property is not prime scavenging grounds. Incorporate multiple strategies like enclosing bins, reducing smells, and using harmless repellent sprays for comprehensive protection.
With some clever techniques and solidly secured trash cans, you can finally put an end to messy garbage strewn through your yard by unwelcome critters. Consistently maintain your deterrent systems and wildlife will move on to easier sources of food.