How to Keep Raccoons Off Garbage Can Lids

Raccoons have pestered humans for centuries. First recognized by explorers in the late 15th century, raccoons have spread around the world and now inhabit nearly every continent on Earth. Intelligent and curious, raccoons often invade homes and garages in search of food. Raccoons like garbage cans because the cans are readily available in nearly every home and offer a quick, simple meal. Keeping raccoons off garbage can lids will prevent the curious critters from making a mess of your property.

Things You'll Need

• Bungee cords
• Ammonia
• Rag
• Baby Powder
• Radio

Instructions

1. Place your garbage cans in a secure area. Keep them secure indoors until the morning of trash day, placing them outside as close to pickup as possible to prevent messes.

2. Secure your lids with bungee cords. Hook one end of the bungee around the right side handle, run it over the top of the lid, and hook the free end to the left handle. Use a bungee that fits tightly over the lid to keep it from shifting or falling off.

3. Attach a couple of ammonia-soaked rags to each of your garbage cans. Raccoons do not like the scent of ammonia, and the rags will deter them from coming near your cans.

4. Sprinkle the can lids and the area surrounding your cans with a thin layer of baby powder. Raccoons have very sensitive paws and dislike the feeling of being dirty, and the fine baby powder will stick to their feet and drive them away from your garbage.

5. Turn on a radio, and place it near your garbage cans. Raccoons have very sensitive ears and normally are fearful of humans and will stay away from the area if they hear people talking. Tune your radio to a station that has a lot of verbalization such as a talk radio program for maximum effectiveness against raccoons.

Tips & Warnings

• Change the location of your cans often. Raccoons are highly intelligent and will learn exactly where your cans are if you put them in the same place. Variety in your routine will confuse the raccoons and keep them away from your garbage.

• Never use any poisons or traps if you have domestic pets. Cats and dogs easily can ingest poison or become caught in traps, resulting in serious injury.

References

• UC Davis: Racoon Management
• Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Living With Raccoons