Outsmarting Raccoons: How to Handle Pests Getting Into Your Garbage
Raccoons are adorable creatures, but they can become a nuisance when they start rummaging through your outdoor garbage. Their intelligence and dexterity make them skilled at opening lids and getting into trash cans. If a raccoon keeps getting into your garbage, it's time to implement some strategies to keep them at bay.
1. Secure Your Trash Cans
The first step in deterring raccoons is to secure your trash cans. Raccoons have nimble fingers that can easily open standard lids. Use bungee cords or locks to keep the lids tightly closed. You can also consider purchasing trash cans specifically designed to be animal-proof.
2. Store Trash Cans Indoors
If possible, store your trash cans indoors, such as in a garage or shed, especially on the night before garbage pickup day. Raccoons are nocturnal, so keeping your garbage inaccessible at night can significantly reduce the likelihood of a raccoon visit.
3. Use Ammonia
Raccoons dislike the smell of ammonia as it resembles the scent of predator urine. Soak a few rags in ammonia and place them on top of your trash bags, or pour a small amount of ammonia directly inside the trash can. This strong odor can deter raccoons from coming near your garbage.
4. Install Motion-Activated Lights or Sprinklers
Raccoons prefer to forage in the dark, so motion-activated lights installed around your garbage cans can discourage them. Similarly, motion-activated sprinklers can deter raccoons and keep them from returning.
5. Keep the Area Clean
Raccoons will be less attracted to your trash area if it's clean and free of food debris. Regularly clean your trash cans with a hose and mild detergent or vinegar. Also, ensure that all food waste is bagged properly before being thrown away.
6. Use Commercial Repellents
There are various commercial raccoon repellents available, both in spray and granule forms. These products smell and taste unpleasant to raccoons. However, results can vary, and these may need to be reapplied frequently, especially after rain.
7. Seek Professional Help
If you've tried everything and raccoons continue to raid your trash, it may be time to call in wildlife control professionals. They can safely and humanely trap and relocate the raccoons if allowed by local regulations.
8. Don't Feed Them
Raccoons are intelligent creatures, and once they associate your property with an easy meal, they'll keep coming back. Never intentionally feed raccoons. Also, ensure other potential food sources, like pet food or bird feeders, are secured or brought indoors at night.
Remember, it's essential to handle this issue humanely. Raccoons are usually just looking for food, not intending to cause a nuisance. By making your trash cans unappealing and inaccessible, you can coexist peacefully with these clever critters.
For more info about pest control services, contact a local company.
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