Despite how cute they are, raccoons can be serious pests. You may not even know you have a raccoon problem until you find your trash strewn all over the street and yard. While wildlife removal is helpful to get the problematic raccoons away from your property, there may be more looking for a quick meal soon. For a longer-term solution, try these tricks to keep these furry little thieves out of your trash. 

How to Prevent Raccoons From Getting Into Your Trash

1. Secure the Lid

Make sure the lid fits snugly on the trashcan. You can purchase a new can with a more secure lid or work with the one you have to make it more impenetrable. Stretch a bungee cord over the top and loop it through the handles to keep raccoons from lifting the lid. Placing a heavy object like a cinder block or large rock on the lid can also make it too hard for raccoons to remove. 

2. Scare Them Off

Deter raccoons from getting into your trash by making it scary or unappealing. Raccoons are more likely to go after your trash if the can is in a quiet, dark area. Consider motion sensor lights or sprinklers to startle unsuspecting scavengers. As brazen as their behavior may seem, raccoons are generally pretty fearful of human contact. Just the sound of voices can deter them, so you can keep a radio close by set to a talk station to prevent them from coming close to begin with. 

3. Make Your Trash Smell Bad

Though you may think the trash already smells bad, that isn’t the case for raccoons. These omnivores smell your leftovers in the can and can’t wait to get their paws on it. 

Raccoons rely heavily on smell. Use this to your advantage by making your trash smell less appealing. Sprinkle ammonia into your trashcan to repel hungry raccoons. They don’t care for this scent and will avoid your house if they detect it. They also don’t like the smell of mothballs, so you can drop a few around your trash to keep these pests away.

If you have a persistent raccoon problem, the wildlife removal experts at Coppermines Pest Control in Murrayville, GA, will help. This family-owned company has been helping the residents of Dahlonega, Dawsonville, Big Canoe, and White County protect their homes from pests since 2004. From wildlife removal and exclusion services to insect extermination, their team of experienced pest control professionals has you covered. Visit them online to learn more about their services or call them today at (888) 717-7035. 

"Voted best pest control company in Lumpkin County. Best of Lumpkin from the Dahlonega Nugget. We have proudly received this award for the past 11 consecutive years and want to thank everyone who continually helps make this possible."