How to Keep Raccoons Out of Brampton Trash Cans
Raccoons are intelligent and determined creatures, notorious for rummaging through garbage bins in search of food, which contributes to the raccoon problem. This behaviour can lead to a mess in your yard, attract other pests, and pose health risks. To protect your property and maintain cleanliness, it is essential to implement effective measures to keep raccoons out of garbage bins. In this guide, we provide comprehensive strategies to deter raccoons from accessing your garbage, ensuring that your property remains raccoon-free.
Raccoon-Proof Garbage Bin Tips
Never leave lid open
Don’t over fill so lid won’t close
Use raccoon-proof lid locks or straps
Clean up around bird feeders
Store indoors or in a fenced area
Apply ammonia or vinegar spray
Use motion-activated sprinklers
Install ultrasonic devices
These steps can help secure your garbage bin and deter raccoons from accessing your waste.
Understanding Raccoon Behaviour and Motivation
Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and have adapted well to urban environments like Brampton. They are nocturnal, foraging at night when humans are less active. Garbage bins offer a convenient food source, as they often contain food scraps and waste that are easily accessible. These bins also attract baby raccoons, providing safe, dark, and sheltered spots for mother raccoons to give birth. It is important not to disturb baby raccoons if found, allowing the mother to return. Raccoons have strong, dexterous paws, enabling them to manipulate lids and even open some secured containers. Understanding their behaviour and motivation is crucial in developing effective deterrence methods.
Ensuring the Security of Brampton Garbage Bins
In Brampton, residents are provided with standardized garbage bins that are designed for compatibility with the city’s waste collection trucks, which use mechanical arms to lift and empty the bins. While these bins are durable and efficient, raccoons can still pose a challenge by tipping them over or prying the lids open.
To enhance the security of these cans, consider the following strategies:
Use Lid Locks or Straps: Even though the bins come with fitted lids, adding extra security can help. Use bungee cords, specialized straps, or lid locks to secure the bin lids tightly. This additional step can make it more difficult for raccoons to access the contents of the bins.
Maintain Bin Integrity: Regularly inspect your garbage bins for any damage or wear that could make them easier to open. If the bins are cracked or the lids are loose, contact Brampton’s waste management services for a replacement. Ensuring that the bins are in good condition helps keep raccoons at bay.
Effective Placement of Garbage Bins
Proper placement of garbage cans is crucial in deterring raccoons and other wildlife from accessing your trash. Implement the following strategies:
Keep Garbage Cans Indoors: Whenever possible, store garbage cans indoors in a garage or shed. This prevents raccoons and other critters from climbing into the cans and keeps the lid securely closed. Make sure the doors to these storage areas are locked or securely closed to avoid any wildlife incidents. This method reduces worry about animals finding a path to your trash.
Use Fenced or Gated Areas: If storing garbage cans indoors isn't feasible, consider placing them within a fenced or gated area. This adds an extra layer of security against raccoons and other clever animals. A fence can prevent raccoons from climbing into the trash cans, making it more difficult for them to access the contents and reducing the chances they will find ways to open the lids.
Avoid Isolated Areas: Position garbage cans away from secluded corners, dense foliage, or places near chimneys where raccoons can hide. Instead, put the cans in well-lit, open areas, such as along a clear street path, to make raccoons feel exposed and less likely to approach. Assessing the location of trash cans can prevent wildlife from using clever methods to access food. Keeping bins in visible areas can also help deter other critters like birds and pets from trying to eat from the garbage.
Using these placement strategies can significantly reduce the chances of raccoons and other wildlife gaining access to your garbage, minimizing the mess and health risks associated with these intrusions.
Using Raccoon Deterrents
In addition to securing trash cans and strategic placement, employing deterrents can further discourage raccoons from tampering with your garbage.
Ammonia or Vinegar Sprays: Raccoons have a strong sense of smell and are repelled by certain odors. Mix ammonia or vinegar with water and spray it around garbage cans and lids. The strong smell can make raccoons think twice before approaching. This method can also be used near areas like recycling bins and compost piles to prevent critters from being attracted to the scent.
Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper is an effective, natural deterrent. Sprinkle it around the base of trash cans, recycling bins, and other potential food sources. The strong, spicy odor can irritate raccoons' noses, making them less likely to dig through your garbage or compost. Be cautious when using this method if pets frequent the area, as cayenne pepper can also cause irritation to animals.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers: Installing motion-activated sprinklers can effectively scare raccoons away. When a raccoon approaches, the sprinkler detects movement and sprays water, startling the animal. This method is especially useful for protecting larger areas, such as near swimming pools, dumpsters, or garden beds, where raccoons might try to nest or find food.
Ultrasonic Devices: Ultrasonic deterrent devices emit high-frequency sounds that are unpleasant to raccoons but inaudible to humans. Place these devices near trash cans, compost areas, or along fences where raccoons might travel. These devices can keep raccoons and other small wildlife from finding a comfortable path through your property without causing a disturbance to your household or neighbours.
Mothballs: Scattering mothballs around garbage cans can serve as a deterrent because raccoons find their odour offensive. Place them in areas where raccoons are likely to approach, such as around the base of trash cans or near potential entry points. However, use caution with mothballs if you have pets or small children, as they can be toxic if ingested.
By incorporating these deterrent strategies, you can reduce the chances of raccoons and other wildlife causing problems with your trash, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment around your home. Sometimes professional raccoon removal service is necessary for permanent solutions.
Secure Your Yard and Property
To minimize raccoon activity around your property, consider taking steps to make your yard less appealing to these smart animals.
Remove Food Sources: Eliminate outdoor food sources that could attract raccoons. This includes pet food bowls, birdseed, and fallen nuts or fruit. Store pet food indoors and regularly clean up any food remnants. Keeping your trash area free of food scraps and making sure the trash can lids are closed tightly can also help reduce raccoon visits.
Seal Entry Points: Check your home for any entry points raccoons might use to get into your attic, chimney, or crawl spaces. Seal any holes or gaps using metal mesh, caulk, or hardware cloth. By preventing raccoons from entering your home, you reduce the likelihood of them targeting your trash cans as well.
Trim Trees and Shrubs: Since raccoons are adept climbers, they may use trees and shrubs to reach your roof, chimney, or trash cans. Trim tree branches that hang over your house and keep shrubs well-maintained to make it harder for raccoons to find pathways into your property. This can also prevent incidents where raccoons might accidentally fall and get hurt, creating further issues.
Implementing these measures can help make your property less attractive to raccoons, reducing the risk of them getting into your trash and causing problems.
Regular Maintenance and Monitoring
Maintaining vigilance and consistency is essential for keeping raccoons away from your garbage bins.
Regularly Clean Garbage Bins: Make it a habit to clean your garbage bins regularly to eliminate odours that might attract raccoons. Use a strong-smelling cleaner or a bleach solution to mask lingering food scents. After cleaning, rinse the bins thoroughly and ensure they are completely dry before use. This simple step can make your trash area less appealing to wildlife.
Secure Garbage Bags: Use heavy-duty garbage bags to contain waste, especially if it includes food scraps. Double bagging odorous waste and tying the bags securely before placing them in the bin can help prevent raccoons from tearing the bags open. This reduces the likelihood of finding your garbage scattered around the next morning, especially if the bin lid is left open.
Monitor for Signs of Activity: Stay alert for any signs of raccoon activity around your trash area. Look for tipped bins, scattered garbage, paw prints, or evidence of animals climbing around the area. If you notice these signs, it might be time to reinforce your deterrent measures. For example, you could use a bungee cord to secure the bin lids or place the bins in a more secure location to deal with the problem effectively.
By consistently following these maintenance and monitoring steps, you can reduce the chances of raccoon incidents and keep your garbage area secure.
Conclusion
Implementing these strategies will significantly reduce the likelihood of raccoons accessing your garbage bins. By understanding raccoon behaviour, ensuring the security of your bins, placing them strategically, using effective deterrents, securing your property, and maintaining vigilance, you can create a comprehensive defence against these persistent pests. Protect your home and property from raccoon disturbances, ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for you and your family.
