Here are 5 ideas on how to keep raccoons out of the garbage. Those cute little masked bandits of the trash can cause a lot of problems for the homeowner. While the risk of spreading diseases including rabies is real, the primary threat that a raccoon and his friends pose is simply making a mess and making a lot of noise. For those who are tired of waking up to find that the raccoons have spread trash all over their yard and those who lose sleep to the noises of the raccoons getting into their trash cans, here are some ideas that will hopefully provide you some relief.
The first idea on how to keep raccoons out of the garbage is simply to get cans that lock. While truly wildlife proof cans are very expensive, many garbage cans can quickly be made to fasten securely. A standard metal garbage can with handles on each side and on top of the lid can be held closed with a bungee cord or rope. Of course this will not keep the raccoons from knocking over the garbage cans to get to the delicious trash inside but after a few nights of futility they will probably move on.
The next idea to keep raccoons out of the garbage is various forms of repellant. My grandmother would pour ammonia over her trash bags after putting them into the garbage can to keep the raccoons away and this seemed to work well. Coyote urine which can be purchased from sporting goods stores can also make an effective repellent. Dog and human scent might work as well, but raccoons living close to humans are probably used to these scents. If you have an outside dog, placing the garbage cans in an area where the dog can keep the raccoons away will work, but then you have to keep the dog out of the trash.
A more involved solution to keep raccoons out of the garbage is an animal proof container to store your garbage cans. A simple wood frame covered with chicken wire will keep the raccoons out. Garbage cans can also be suspended in the air, but this can be a lot of work for many people.
Another way to keep raccoons out of the garbage is to not throw away food into the trash. Food that can be composted can go into a compost can. Food that cannot be composted are simply cleaned out of the fridge on trash night.
The last idea to keep raccoons out of the garbage is to buy (or make) and wear a genuine coonskin cap. You might just revitalize an old fashion trend. If coonskin caps make a big comeback everyone will be wearing those darned raccoons on their head and they won’t be bothering your garbage cans. Here is also a link to a recipe for barbeque raccoon.
