Squirrels are opportunistic foragers who aren’t selective when it comes to their next meal. This means your outdoor garbage receptacle can become an all-you-can-eat buffet—if they can get in. The garbage squirrels leave scattered around your trash area can attract other pests (including more squirrels) and compound your problems. Even if your can is shut, squirrels have strong teeth that are capable of chewing through the plastic.
Don’t let squirrels wreak havoc on your property—follow these 5 tips:
5 Ways to Squirrel Proof Your Trash
1. Enclose Your Trash Can
An enclosed trash can is a great way to keep wildlife of all kinds out of your garbage. Not only does it prevent wildlife like squirrels from getting in, it prevents wind from blowing bins over and making them an open target.
You can purchase or build a garbage can enclosure to keep your garbage out of reach. Another solution is storing your garbage can in a shed or in your garage until trash pick up day.
2. Use Metal Trash Cans
Squirrels are rodents whose teeth never stop growing. This means they have the time and capability to chew through plastic garbage cans, especially if they know their next meal is waiting for them on the other side. Switching to a metal can could be a simple fix. When using metal cans, secure trash lids with a bungee cord to keep them in place. This will keep squirrels out and your garbage in.
3. Freeze or Dispose of Food Scraps Down the Drain
If you’ve tried the methods above and you’re still dealing with these pesky pests, try using deterrents:
Food scraps create strong odors that attract wildlife. By carefully sending food waste down the garbage disposal instead of out to the trash, you reduce the odors that attract wildlife to your yard.
Alternatively, you can dedicate a trash bag solely to food waste and keep it in your freezer until trash day. That way, you keep stinky food waste out of the trash for most of the week. And since squirrels are usually dormant at night, you avoid prime dining time.
4. Keep Garbage Cans Clean
By regularly cleaning your trash cans, you eliminate the buildup of food and odors that attracts wildlife pests like squirrels. Once a month, when your trash container is empty, spray it with a hose and use soap or bleach to disinfect it.
5. Use Squirrel Repellents
There are several types of squirrel repellents:
- Commercial repellents: These contain natural ingredients or predator urine that squirrels find unpleasant.
- Homemade squirrel repellent spray: Mix one-part hot pepper sauce and four parts water and spray the concoction around your trash cans or problem areas.
- Motion-activated sprinkler: Install the sprinkler in your yard in proximity to your trash cans. After a few dousings, squirrels will quickly decide to look elsewhere for their breakfast.
- Landscaping: There are several plants that repel squirrels including marigold, daffodils, geraniums, onion, garlic, mint and chili peppers. Plant these near your garbage cans to deter squirrels from getting closer.
- Ultrasonic squirrel repellent: Commercial devices that emit high-frequency sound waves have proven effective in the short term but mostly useless in the long term. It’s been shown that squirrels quickly acclimate to the sound.
Looking for Reliable Squirrel Control?
Squirrels are clever and persistent, so, DIY solutions aren’t always the most effective. If you can’t keep squirrels away or figure out how to stop squirrels from chewing your garbage cans, get in touch with Varment Guard today! Our wildlife control services humanely and effectively keep squirrels away and prevent them from coming back.
