Waking up in the morning to find your garbage strewn across the lawn is not a desired wake up call, but don’t worry there is a simple solution.

Q: What animals are prone to getting into garbage?

A: A main attraction for an animal to visit our property is for a food source. As unappealing as garbage may sound to us, it is a very viable food source for many animals. Skunks and raccoons are very opportunistic animals, and are the likely supects. But other animals such as crows, squirrels and foxes will also utilize this food source especially when the natural food supply is dwindling, such as before winter.

Q: How can I solve this problem?

A: The easiest solution is to keep garbage contained in sturdy garbage bins that have secure lids. Ideally bins should be kept in a shed or garage and only put out on the morning of pick up, not at night when skunks and raccoons are most active. You can also minimize the appeal by regularly cleaning containers with hot water and a small amount of bleach. Another option is to construct a simple wooden box with a lock to secure garbage. If you must put garbage containers out overnight, make sure you use animal-proof ones with lock-down lids.

STOP - DO NOT TRAP AND RELOCATE THE ANIMAL - Click here to find out why