The animals are attracted to the smell of food and enter unsecured trash receptacles in the hope of finding something to eat. Sometimes, gnawing animals like squirrels will chew their way into plastic trash cans or carts to find the veritable buffet inside. Climbing animals like raccoons may use nearby objects like walls, poles, or trees to gain access to dumpsters, but then may not be able to get out.
FAQs & Humane Solutions:
“Raccoons keep getting into the dumpster in our alley at night. How can I keep them out?”
Avoid problems with wild animals going into dumpsters by keeping the lids closed, especially at night. Be sure to also keep the dumpster at least three feet away from fences, brick walls, trees, and utility poles that animals could climb to get into the dumpster.
“Animals keep getting into our trash cans and making a mess. How can I keep them out?”
You can help avoid problems with animals getting into your trash cans or carts by keeping them in the garage until your trash collection day. If keeping the trash receptacles in the garage isn’t possible, an alternative would be to secure lids with bungee cords. These inexpensive, stretchable bands of rubber or elastic with a hook on each end are available at hardware stores and home centers.
“Squirrels have gnawed through the lid of our plastic trash cart and they go in there looking for food. Is there anything I can do to stop that?”
You can discourage squirrels from going into the cart after your trash by double-bagging your trash in securely-tied, plastic trash bags to suppress the scent of any food items inside. You could also try using a scent that squirrels don’t like on top of your trash inside the cart, such as peppermint oil or household ammonia applied to a paper towel or old cloth.
“An opossum climbed into our trash cart last night, but I don’t think it can get out. What should we do?”
If you gently tip the container over on its side with the lid open and then leave the area, the animal will leave on its own. However, it may not wish to leave during the daytime, especially if there is human activity in the area. If there is a lot of vehicle traffic close by or there are children in the area, keep them away and wait until after dusk to lay the cart or can on its side. Do not offer the opossum any food or water.
“A raccoon climbed into a dumpster, but there isn’t much trash and I don’t think it can climb out. What should we do?”
Place a ladder, sturdy branch, or board for the animal to climb on in the dumpster at a shallow angle leading up to the top of the container. The dumpster lid should be left open to allow the animal to exit. It is important to know that raccoons are generally only active at night, so they may not leave until after dark. Keep activity to a minimum in the area around the dumpster so the animal will not be too frightened to leave. Do not offer the raccoon any food or water. If the dumpster is scheduled for emptying or pickup that same day, and you are in Milwaukee County, please call us at (414) 431-6204. We may be able to help.
