[Tomptomp]

Twice a week a need to clean up the mess that raccoons or possum or whatever animal is tearing open my garbage at night. My pick is about 5:30am so I must place it outside the night before.
Does anyone have a suggestion how to deter these animals from feeding from my garbage ?

[LarryTheBird]

try spraying a little vinegar or ammonia on the bags when you put them out

[OpusX1]

When I had that problem up north I would pour a splash of ammonia on the inside of the bag and a splash on the outside too. It worked.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Tomptomp

Twice a week a need to clean up the mess that raccoons or possum or whatever animal is tearing open my garbage at night. My pick is about 5:30am so I must place it outside the night before.
Does anyone have a suggestion how to deter these animals from feeding from my garbage ?

A couple of things;

1. Freeze the items that become odiferous over time (meat scraps, cantaloupe rinds, etc.) and put them in the bag just before you put it out.

2. Double-bag. We bag our trash in those white pull-tie 13 gallon bags and then put those bags into a large black 35-gallon trashliner bag (as I believe we're supposed to do) when I set out the garbage. I've noticed that a couple of folks on our street who put their garbage out in just the one white bag sometimes have problems with critters. Crows, usually--I often walk early in the morning and have caught 'em in the act.

[shut the front door]

Don't ask me why, but birds attack white bags more than black bags. We had to stop using the white, no problems since switching to black. I won't go back.

[Altavia]

These mint scented bags worked well for us in rural NC.

https://a.co/d/bIkssKt

[Arctic Fox]

I put any food items in the bag that the Daily Rag comes in and knot the end. If small, I can double it over and tie it again.

That stops the food smells that attract them, and stops the kitchen from smelling for the days that the trash bag is being filled.

Works well for tins too, such as salmon and tuna, which can start smelling very quickly.

[JGibson]

Are we allowed garbage pails like the rest of society ?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by JGibson

Are we allowed garbage pails like the rest of society ?

Yes in your garage, but not put out at street.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by JGibson

Are we allowed garbage pails like the rest of society ?

Yes but only once. They will take them with the garbage so prepare to buy often.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Tomptomp

Does anyone have a suggestion how to deter these animals from feeding from my garbage ?

Set a 5:15am alarm & take the trash out.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

Don't ask me why, but birds attack white bags more than black bags. We had to stop using the white, no problems since switching to black. I won't go back.

Crows have x-ray vision and can see through white bags.
Black bags are like cryptonite. I guessing cause the crows are black and bag black the don’t want to be cannibal’s

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Tomptomp

Twice a week a need to clean up the mess that raccoons or possum or whatever animal is tearing open my garbage at night. My pick is about 5:30am so I must place it outside the night before.
Does anyone have a suggestion how to deter these animals from feeding from my garbage ?

Sorry what happens when their habitat bulldozed. 5:30 am very early?

Possums are the only marsupials in northern hemisphere the are nocturnal and get slaughtered due car lights blind them. Quit dorsal creatures on decline in most urban area’s due getting smashed. With all the predators, run overs, and pythons taking over Florida Everglades killing all the native wildlife pythons will be migrating north. Soon to be in village near you if you live behind nature preserve?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Set a 5:15am alarm & take the trash out.

Do you make house calls.

[dadspet]

We had the racoon problem - Caught them on our surveillance camera so I was sure it was racoons. Tried several things: ammonia, heavy black bags, scented bags etc all of which had minimal effect. The best help was making sure any CHICKEN leftover was put in a separate strong container. Then for some reason the racoons found easier food someplace and we haven't had an issue now for several months-Thank you, whoever you are. Oh! I forgot to mention the best fool proof solution is eating out at restaurants and not bring home a leftover bag. BTW one of our neighbors puts their trash in garbage cans with a very large sign > Do not take > Racoon issue, and the trash company leaves the can.
Good luck!