What's Getting Into My Trash?

No one likes taking out the trash or recycling, but what they really don't want is to pick up the trash after an animal has had an overnight party inside and around your barrels. If you are on clean up patrol and are wondering what is getting into your trash, read on to find out who the likely culprit could be.Imagine the scenario where you wake up in the morning and head out to get your newspaper only to find that your trash barrels have been upended. The plastic bags have been shredded and you find the remnants of last night's take out all over your lawn! This is not a scenario you want to encounter early in the morning.

Who's to Blame?

The main culprits of such chaos could include: squirrels, skunks, racoons, opossum, chipmunks, mice, rats, foxes, or coyotes. Depending upon the area where you live the likely offender will vary.Wildlife experts are finding that, due to the lack of open restaurants and businesses caused by the coronavirus shutdown, many animals who rely on dumpster diving, have found that the pickings are slim. That may force some of these critters to start looking elsewhere for their next meal. Your yard may be the next best place.

How to Prevent Wildlife in Your Trash

No matter which species of wildlife is messing with your barrels, there are some steps you can take to prevent them from creating a nightmare of a mess every evening. Here are a few suggestions to keep your trash and recycle area clean.

• Use a metal can with a lid that locks in place since plastic cans are built to be sturdy but can be chewed through over time.
• Tie down the lid with a bungee cord or, at the very least, lock the lid nightly. Some homeowners put a brick on top as an added layer of security.
• Try to eliminate pungent odors such as rotting food by double bagging in plastic or spraying ammonia or other household cleaner on the trash.
• Use a repellent on the barrels themselves.
• Use a sensor light in your yard that will deter animals from entering the trash area. If a sensor activates a light that spotlights your trash, it may be just enough to dissuade the animal.

Do you have a wildlife problem around your trash barrels? Talk to our team today about steps you can take to stop the issue. We can also take a look to determine what kind of animal is making the mess and plan a treatment plan to eliminate the problem.