It's a frustrating urban ritual: waking up to find your trash can tipped over and garbage strewn across the yard by clever raccoons or stray cats. This nightly battle with urban wildlife is a common nuisance, but there are effective, humane strategies to win it. The key is to make your garbage inaccessible and uninteresting to these intelligent foragers.
Start with your container. A sturdy, metal trash can is far more difficult for animals to tip or damage than a lightweight plastic one. Look for models with tight-fitting, locking lids or those specifically marketed as "animal-proof." If a new bin isn't in the cards, you can modify your existing one. Drill a hole on each side of the can and its lid, and use a bungee cord or a lock to securely fasten the lid down. This simple step prevents animals from prying it open.
The placement of your trash can is just as crucial. If possible, store it in a locked garage or shed until collection morning. If outdoor storage is your only option, secure it to a stationary object. You can run a rope or a chain through the handle and tie it to a fence post or a deck railing. This prevents larger animals from being able to knock it over completely.
What's inside the bin also acts as a major attractant. Rinse out food containers, especially those that held meat, dairy, or sweet items, before tossing them. This reduces the powerful food odors that draw animals from blocks away. For particularly pungent waste, like fish scraps or cooking grease, consider freezing it and only placing it in the bin on the morning of trash pickup.
Finally, you can employ deterrents around the can. Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can startle animals and teach them to avoid your yard. Sprinkling a natural repellent like cayenne pepper or a commercial animal repellent around the base of the can can also be effective, though these need to be reapplied after rain. By combining a secure container with smart placement and odor control, you can finally enjoy a clean, undisturbed yard.