Food is scarce in the winter, so insects, rodents, and other animals will be drawn to whatever they can find, which includes your trash. After spreading your trash across the lawn, many of these pests will try to move into your home, causing infestations that can take months to get rid of. Below are just a few of the creatures that can get into your trash before garbage collection day.

4 Pests That Are Attracted to Your Trash

1. Cockroaches

Most people think of cockroaches as being indoor pests, but many populations live outside until they find a nice, warm house to move into. Not only are cockroaches difficult to remove, but they also spread disease.

2. Mice & Rats

Small rodents are mostly scavengers, so in the winter your garbage seems like a buffet to mice and rats. These pests can also fit through extremely tight spaces, so once they’ve gone through your trash, it’s only a matter of time before they find a way into your house.

3. Raccoons

As some of the smartest of large, common pests, raccoons are capable of getting into closed trash cans and even knocking them over. Over time, they might lose their natural fear of humans, which can be especially dangerous if you have children or small pets.

4. Spiders

While spiders may not be interested in the food scraps you throw away, they love to feast on the other insects that are attracted to your garbage. The best defense is to keep your trash cans away from the house and schedule frequent garbage collection, so you don’t have rubbish sitting around for extended periods.

To keep pests away from your garbage this winter, seal your bags and cans tightly, and schedule garbage collection. For over 30 years, T-Mac Solid Waste & Roll-off Service has been Columbia, MO’s most trusted garbage collection service. Homeowners and businesses throughout the area rely on their experts for everything from weekly residential curbside pickup to roll-off services for bulk loads. Visit their website to learn more about their garbage collection services, and call (573) 814-2844 to request a quote and schedule a pickup.