Raccoons are, in many ways, the ultimate garbage thieves. They’re sneaky, fast, and have those unnerving opposable thumbs. They even look like nature’s bandits, with their little black masks. Raccoons rely on their burglary skills to make it through the winter every year. If you’re not careful, they could end up raiding your trash bins.
Now, it might not seem like a big deal to let raccoons sneak into your garbage, but the problem is that raccoons rarely stop there. Like any burglar worth their salt, raccoons push their luck. If they get into your outdoor bins, eventually, they’ll come after the cans in your garage—or even try to nest nearby. Raccoon-proofing your garbage bins is the best way to prevent these pests from taking up residence on your property.
How to Keep Raccoons From Getting in the Trash
Here are four highly effective ways to raccoon-proof your garbage bin and keep these nuisance animals away.
1. Secure Your Garbage Can Lids
Nature has a way of finding weak spots, and raccoons are notorious for their persistence. They’ll knock things over, climb, burrow, squeeze, or leap to access trash. The best way to keep raccoons out of garbage cans is to use a sturdy fastener to secure the lid.
- Use bungee cords or ratchet straps to hold down lids firmly.
- Opt for a raccoon-proof garbage bin with a locking lid.
- Place heavy objects on top of lids as an extra deterrent.
Test your garbage can security by tipping it over when empty—if the lid stays shut, it’s ready to withstand a raccoon’s efforts.
2. Keep Your Garage Door Closed
Unfortunately, raccoons open dumpsters and garage bins with surprising ease. The rolling bin you take out to the curb is the perfect food source for these pests. Worse, once raccoons realize where your home’s garbage ends up, they’re likely to stick around.
- Always close your garage door when not in use to block raccoons from entering.
- Store trash bins inside a locked shed or garage until pickup day.
- Regularly inspect your garage for signs of raccoon activity, such as droppings, scratch marks, or overturned bins.
Keeping raccoons out of your garbage reduces the chances of them moving into your garage, attic, or crawlspace.
3. Seal Your Trash Bags Properly
Garbage smells attract raccoons. If you can smell the stink from your bin, you can bet raccoons can too! These animals have an incredibly keen sense of smell, and they’re not picky eaters.
- Double-bag your trash to contain odors more effectively.
- Use scented or heavy-duty garbage bags that help mask food smells.
- If possible, freeze particularly smelly waste (like meat scraps) and only toss them on garbage day.
Sealing your trash reduces the likelihood of raccoons in trash bins and helps keep other pests, like rodents and insects, away.
4. Rinse Disposables Before Tossing Them
Recyclable items such as cans, bottles, and food containers often have residual food inside, which can attract raccoons.
- Rinse out food containers before disposal or recycling.
- Keep food waste in sealed compost bins rather than open piles.
- Use wildlife-resistant recycling bins if available in your area.
Taking a few seconds to rinse out containers can prevent raccoon infestations before they start.
Pest Control for Raccoons: When DIY Prevention Isn't Enough
Despite your best efforts, raccoons may still become a problem. If you notice persistent raccoon damage—such as tipped-over trash cans, torn garbage bags, or signs of nesting—it’s time to seek professional help.
- Trapping raccoons requires expertise to ensure humane and legal removal.
- A wildlife control service can identify entry points and recommend long-term solutions.
- Professional raccoon removal specialists, like the Varment Guard team, can relocate the animals quickly and effectively.
Protect Your Property with Expert Wildlife Control
Keeping raccoons out of your garbage isn’t just about preventing messes—it’s about protecting your home. Raccoons can carry diseases, damage structures, and even become aggressive if they feel threatened. If you’re dealing with recurring raccoon problems, don’t wait for them to cause more damage. Contact Varment Guard for expert pest control and humane raccoon removal today!
