Yes, in most urban settings, open or loosely covered trash bins tend to attract more pests than enclosed bins. Pests follow food smell and easy access. When bags are torn, lids are missing, or waste piles above the rim, rats, raccoons, insects, and birds get a direct invitation. Enclosed bins help by containing odors and blocking access, but they are not automatically pest-proof. A damaged latch, a gap under the lid, or a bin that is rarely cleaned can still draw pests.
Placement matters as much as the bin type. Bins near restaurant back doors, alleys, drains, or overgrown corners give pests cover and a reliable food source. Even enclosed bins can become a problem if the pad around them is greasy or littered. Regular pickup, tight-fitting lids, leak-proof bodies, rinsing, and quick spill cleanup usually matter more than the label “enclosed.”
So the practical answer is this: urban trash bins attract more pests than well-maintained enclosed bins, but enclosed bins still need repair, cleaning, and frequent collection. For cities, the strongest fix is not just switching bin types—it is keeping waste contained, collected often, and cleaned consistently.