Raccoons are intelligent and crafty animals, often known for getting into garbage cans and making a mess. They are resourceful scavengers that can be a nuisance to homeowners if they get access to trash bins.
Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent raccoons from accessing your garbage cans. This blog post will provide tips for keeping raccoons away from your trash bins so that you can keep your property clean and free of these pesky critters.
Keep Your Trash Bin Clean and Free of Food Scraps
Raccoons have a keen sense of smell, allowing them to detect the slightest hint of food waste left in your garbage can. They will be more than happy to tear into any bags or cans if there is something edible inside. Keeping the bin clean and free of anything edible will help ensure they stay away while creating a much more pleasant living environment for you and your neighbours.
The good news is that cleaning a trash bin is relatively easy. Start by taking the bin outside and giving it a good shake. This will help to remove any loose debris. Next, fill the bin with hot water and a mild disinfectant or soap.
Let it soak for a few minutes before scrubbing the inside with a brush. Once you’ve removed all the dirt and grime, rinse the bin thoroughly with clean water. If you have time, you can also let it air dry in the sun for an extra dose of disinfection.
Be Sure to Keep Your Trash Bin Covered
It is important to take measures to keep raccoons away, and one way to start is by keeping your trash bin covered. Raccoons are attracted to food sources, and an open or uncovered trash bin can prime their location. Not only can their presence be annoying, but it can also lead to other issues like contaminated food sources or damaged property.
In order to keep raccoons away from your rubbish bins, make sure that they have proper lids and that the lids fit properly. Either use weighty lids or secure them with bungee cords so that they cannot easily be removed. While this may not completely raccoon-proof your garbage cans, it can certainly go a long way in stopping a raccoon from opening your trash can.
Install Motion-Activated Lights Near Your Trash Bin
Motion-activated lights are a great way to deter raccoons from coming near your trash bins. These lights emit a sudden burst of light when movement is detected and have been known to keep away curious critters effectively. These lights do not require much maintenance or power in order to stay operational, as they turn on automatically with little energy consumption.
Not only can these lights help keep raccoons away, but they can also add an extra layer of security to your home.
Store Your Trash Bins in a Locked Area
Securely stashing away your garbage will not only protect the raccoons from harmful materials inside the bin but also prevent them from rummaging through your yard looking for food.
Storing a trash bin in a locked area can be done in various ways. If your home has a garage, you may want to use it as a place to store your trash bins. Only remove your trash bins on garbage pick-up day to reduce the risk of raccoons going through your trash.
You may also choose to install an animal-proof fence or gate around the trash can and lock it with a padlock or combination lock. If you’re especially handy, you can even build a special area to store your trash bins.
Use Natural Remedies to Repel Raccoons
One way to naturally repel raccoons is by using strong-smelling plants as deterrents. The smell of strong herbs like lavender, peppermint, and citronella is unpleasant for the pests and can help keep them away from your property.
Planting these herbs around the perimeter of your yard or near areas where you notice the presence of raccoons can make all the difference in keeping them away. You can also spray these scents directly on surfaces you don’t want the pests to explore.
Another popular method is mixing equal parts of water and cider vinegar in a spray bottle and misting the areas where raccoons are likely to visit. The vinegar smell will deter them from entering your property.
You can also try sprinkling cayenne pepper around the perimeter of your yard, as the spicy scent will keep raccoons away. Finally, placing a few strips of double-sided tape near potential entry points will discourage raccoons from trying to get close to your home.
Double Bag Your Trash
Double bagging your trash is easy to do and requires nothing more than two plastic bags. Simply put your trash in one bag, tie it off at the top, and then put that first bag into another before tying it shut.
This extra layer of protection makes it much harder for raccoons to get into your garbage since they lack the opposable thumbs needed to open multiple bags. On top of that, double bagging your trash can also help reduce the smell.
Make Loud Noises if You Spot a Raccoon
Raccoons are naturally timid and usually flee at the first sign of danger. Yelling, banging pots and pans, or sounding an air horn are all effective ways to scare a raccoon away. In addition, you should take steps to secure your trash can so that raccoons cannot access it in the future.
Keep in mind that it’s best not directly to approach the animal; instead, keep a safe distance so that you do not provoke any aggressive responses from them.
Call a Professional Raccoon Exterminator
Calling a professional raccoon exterminator can help you to remove these nuisance animals efficiently and humanely.
These experts understand how to use methods like traps, repellents, and exclusion techniques to get rid of a raccoon without causing harm or distress. They also know local regulations related to wildlife control, helping you avoid any potential legal issues associated with dealing with these creatures on your own.
A professional exterminator can provide a comprehensive solution that will keep raccoons away from your property permanently. Raccoon removal costs can vary, so it’s important to get a quote based on your specific needs.
Final Thoughts
Keeping raccoons away from your trash bins can be a challenging task. However, the tips we’ve shared can help you successfully prevent these pesky critters from taking over your garbage.
If you find yourself in need of professional raccoon removal in Toronto, Pro Pest can get the job done. Our team provides raccoon removal services that can deter raccoons from garbage cans. Contact us today for more information on what we do.
