The presence of raccoons in trash can be a persistent and frustrating issue for homeowners and businesses alike.
These resourceful creatures are attracted to the allure of discarded food and waste, often causing a mess and potential health hazards.
Their nocturnal habits and dexterous paws make them adept at infiltrating trash cans, leaving behind scattered debris and a trail of mischief.
In this exploration, we’ll delve into the challenges posed by raccoons in trash, as well as effective strategies for prevention and cleanup.
Whether you’re dealing with a raccoon invasion for the first time or seeking ways to deter these critters, this guide will provide valuable insights to maintain a clean and raccoon-free environment.
How to Remove Raccoons From Trash
Here are some effective methods for deterring raccoons from rummaging through your trash:
- Dispose of Food Properly: Raccoons are drawn to the scent of food, so it’s crucial to eliminate food sources from your garbage. Ensure your trash bags are tightly sealed, and avoid discarding food scraps or leftovers.
- Secure with a Bungee Cord: Use a rubber bungee cord to tightly fasten the lid of your trash can from one handle to the other. This prevents raccoons from lifting the lid and gaining access to the trash.
- Apply Animal Repellents: Scatter granular animal repellent around the area where you store your trash cans. Additionally, spray liquid animal repellent directly onto trash bags, cans, and the surrounding vicinity to discourage raccoons.
- Maintain Clean Bins: Regularly clean and disinfect your trash cans to eliminate lingering odors that might attract raccoons.
- Utilize Ammonia or Mothballs: Pour a small amount of ammonia on your garbage or place ammonia-soaked cloths in and around your trash can. Raccoons find the smell of ammonia unpleasant and will stay away. Alternatively, you can try using mothballs, as raccoons dislike their scent.
- Provide an Exit Option: Insert a board or plank inside the trash can to allow raccoons to climb out if they accidentally become trapped. You can entice them to exit by placing a marshmallow on a long stick inside the trash can.
By following these strategies, you can effectively deter raccoons from your trash and protect your property from potential damage.
Alternatively, you can consult our comprehensive guide on ‘How to get Rid of Raccoons.’
How to Clean up the Area After a Raccoon Trash Invasion
Here are essential steps for cleaning up the area after a raccoon trash invasion:
- Wear Protective Gear: Prior to cleaning raccoon feces, ensure you are wearing protective gear such as gloves, a face mask, and a long-sleeved shirt. This gear is crucial to prevent direct contact with the feces.
- Remove Feces and Contaminated Material: Utilize a shovel or an inverted plastic bag to carefully remove feces and any material contaminated by raccoon feces. Double-bag the material and dispose of it in the trash destined for a landfill.
- Disinfect the Area: To eliminate roundworm eggs, either use boiling water on all surfaces and items that came into contact with the feces, or employ a 10% bleach solution for disinfection if boiling water is not an option.
- Avoid Stirring Up Dust and Debris: Lightly mist the area with water from a spray bottle to prevent the dispersion of dust and debris during the cleanup.
- Clean the Area: Thoroughly clean the affected area using soap and water. You can also use a commercial disinfectant for a more comprehensive cleaning.
- Dispose of the Trash: Double-bag the contaminated materials and dispose of them in the trash designated for a landfill.
- Call a Professional: If the raccoon infestation is severe or if you are uncertain about how to handle the cleanup, it is advisable to contact a professional pest control service to manage the situation.
By following these steps diligently, you can safely and effectively clean up the area following a raccoon trash invasion.
Taking precautions is essential to avoid direct contact with raccoon feces, which may contain infectious diseases harmful to both humans and pets.
Recommended Cleaning Products
When addressing the aftermath of a raccoon invasion, it’s crucial to utilize appropriate cleaning products.
Some recommended options include a 10% bleach solution for thorough disinfection after removing raccoon feces, a commercial disinfectant like Unsmoke Microban QGC for comprehensive cleaning, and the use of soap and water for general cleaning purposes.
To ensure safety during cleanup, it’s essential to wear protective gear such as gloves, a face mask, and a long-sleeved shirt to prevent direct contact with the feces.
Boiling water can be employed to eliminate any roundworm eggs on surfaces or items that came into contact with the feces.
Furthermore, to prevent the dispersion of dust and debris, it’s advisable to lightly mist the area with water from a spray bottle.
By incorporating these cleaning products and adhering to safety precautions, you can effectively and safely restore the area after a raccoon invasion.
Risks of Having Raccoons in the Trash
Having raccoons in your trash can pose several significant risks, including:
- Spread of Diseases: Raccoons are known to forage in dumpsters and trash cans, often consuming waste, expired foods, and trash. This behavior can result in the transmission of diseases such as salmonella and rabies.
- Property Damage: Raccoons that infiltrate trash cans can be destructive, frequently knocking over containers and scattering garbage in the process.
- Risk to Pets and Children: Raccoon feces and urine may carry infectious diseases that can be harmful to both humans and pets. Young children who play outdoors and on the ground are particularly vulnerable to coming into contact with raccoon waste.
- Nuisance Behavior: Raccoons can become a nuisance when they damage gardens, raid garbage cans, or take up residence in human structures.
To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to implement preventive measures that deter raccoons from accessing your trash cans and property.
Refer to the previously mentioned tips for effectively removing raccoons from your trash and safeguarding your property from potential damage.
How to Prevent Raccoons in the Trash
Here are some effective methods to prevent raccoons from accessing your trash again:
- Secure the Lid: Ensure that your trash can lid is tightly sealed. You can use a bungee cord or a lock to firmly secure the lid in place.
- Maintain Clean Bins: Regularly clean and disinfect your trash cans to eliminate any lingering odors that may attract raccoons.
- Utilize Animal Repellent: Scatter granular animal repellent around the area where you store your trash cans. Additionally, apply a liquid animal repellent directly onto trash bags, trash cans, and the surrounding area to deter raccoons.
- Adjust Trash Day Habits: Place your garbage out for pick-up in the morning instead of the night before. Raccoons are nocturnal creatures, and most of their mischief occurs overnight. Altering your routine to take out the trash in the morning can help prevent raccoon-related issues.
- Store Trash Cans in an Enclosure: Store your trash cans in a secure enclosure such as a shed, garage, basement, or another protected area to prevent raccoons from accessing them.
- Use Lighting: Hang a string of lights near your trash cans to discourage raccoons. Raccoons prefer darkness for their activities, so well-lit areas can make them feel exposed and less likely to approach.
By following these strategies, you can effectively deter raccoons from infiltrating your trash and causing damage to your property.
