I love cute animals but raccoons (sometimes spelled racoon) are pesky and sneaky little critters. They love to dive in trash looking for food scraps to bring back home to their babies. They are true ominvores who eat just about anything.

There’s a high chance if you have outdoor trash cans you’ll find a raccoon at some point. And if you have pets, you probably don’t want to attract other animals like raccoons to come to play with your dogs or cats.

So how can you raccoon-proof garbage cans?

Some say it’s very hard to raccoon proof your garbage cans, but I want to share some ideas with you today that actually work.

Why Do Racoons Eat Garbage?

But first, let’s be clear about why raccoons love eating garbage. Like humans, raccoons are omnivores and have teeth designed to grind plants or tear through meat. They are smart and can solve problems easily (like opening up your trash can lid)! Left in the wild they are skilled at catching fish or stealing eggs using their furry paws. They will eat worms, chickens, berries, acorns or anything they can get their paws on.

So why garbage?

Because most raccoons live near humans, they’ve adapted to find food wherever they can. They are now considered “urbanized” animals.

In heavily populated areas it’s difficult for raccoons to find all of the foods they would normally eat.

They scavenge for food in the backyards of their human neighbors. It’s easy for them and they can’t pass up that smell!

They have acidic stomachs and few get sick from eating the decomposing matter in your trash. They tend to be resistant to bacteria and toxins found in the trash.

But it’s still a good idea to keep them from eating your trash. You don’t want them to think it’s OK to visit your home especially if you have pets or children.

let’s look at the options you have for keeping these clever creatures out of YOUR garbage…

How To Racoon Proof Your Garbage Cans

If you already have a metal or plastic trash can like a standard city garbage can (96 gallons) then all you need is a simple bin strap to lock the trash lid down. You must keep the lid tight so there’s no way an animal can get into the lid, even from the corners of the lid. And if a raccoon or other animal knocks over the trash can, the strap should keep the lid closed even if the garbage can is fully loaded.

Pros and Cons of Bungee Cords or Bin Straps For Trash Can Lids

Pros

• Bungee cords and bin straps are cheap to get and easy to install.
• If installed correctly and you get a bin strap specifically made for your trash can this should be an effective way to keep animals like raccoons out of your trash.

Cons

• Bungee cords can break if the trash can is knocked over.
• They are prone to sun exposure causing weakness.
• They can “spring” off if incorrectly mounting or cause injury when installing if not careful.
• Some raccoons may be too smart and figure out how to remove the straps.

Garbage can raccoon proofing using steel pins

I’ve seen other DIY approaches and kits like Joe’s which require you to buy some parts and have a drill in hand. You simply drill holes in the side of the trash can and place one pin on each side. But as some of you may know, raccoons are sneaky and smart. Chances are, the raccoon will eventually figure out how to remove the pins! You can see the video for yourself below: