People often choose to rent a dumpster when they have a project that will generate a large amount of trash. This may be a home improvement project, a renovation, or a property cleanout. Although the dumpster helps to contain and remove unwanted items, it may also serve as home to wildlife creatures that live in the area. They see this dumpster and want to learn what treasures it holds.
This problem becomes more apparent as the dumpster fills with trash and debris, as they attract the attention of various critters, from raccoons and mice to bears and maggots. A person might decide they need to consider other options to avoid this common problem. However, people can prevent animals from taking up residence in or scavenging their Dumpster Rental with the help of the following tips.
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Location
Always place the dumpster so it sits a minimum of 50 feet away from any buildings on the property. Doing so helps to prevent pests from making their way from the dumpster to the home or other structures. Furthermore, this reduces the risk of a person being attacked by a wild animal when they enter or exit a building on the property. Nobody wants to scare a wild animal unintentionally, as this may cause the animal to attack. Placing the dumpster away from the home or building also helps to keep unpleasant smells at bay.
When choosing a location, look for a concrete or asphalt slab large enough to hold the dumpster. If a dumpster rental sits on the grass, it encourages pests to build their nests under the bin. When someone goes to place an item in the dumpster, the rodents may congregate around their feet. Nobody wants this, as the animals could attack because they feel threatened.
Furthermore, the concrete or asphalt slab ensures anything leaking from the dumpster won’t make its way into the ground. Any substances that enter the ground may make their way into the groundwater supply. This could lead to health issues for the occupants of the home or building and other residents in the area. When an asphalt or concrete slab isn’t available, place the dumpster on the street.
Debris
Avoid placing food debris in a dumpster rental. Doing so encourages pests to explore the bin when they want a meal. This explains why many trash cans and dumpsters have a rodent problem. When any food present in the dumpster rots, it releases a foul smell that enters the surrounding air. This smell attracts pests of all types. A person might find they are dealing with maggots and flies, or they may discover they have a skunk or fox problem. Some animals become aggressive when they come into contact with a human, such as raccoons. To keep pests at bay, keep all food debris out of the dumpster. Dispose of this debris in a trash bin that is emptied more often.
Cover the Dumpster
Keep pests from accessing a dumpster by keeping the bin covered. Small dumpsters often come with lids the user can secure. Always keep this lid secured. Larger dumpster rentals, however, don’t have a lid. The lack of a lid makes it easy to dispose of unwanted items. In this case, invest in bungee cords and a tarp. Cover the top of the dumpster with the tarp and use the cords to hold this makeshift cover in place. Besides keeping pests out of the dumpster, a person finds the cover keeps the elements out as well.
Cleanliness
Clean dumpsters don’t attract pests. Rental companies clean the bins between customers, but it falls on the client to keep the dumpster clean when it is on their property. Before accepting a dumpster rental, ensure the interior is clean. No debris or gunk should be present. If any debris is, request a replacement dumpster, one that is clean. Every dumpster rental should be clean, empty, and ready to use at the time of delivery. When this isn’t the case, look for a different rental provider.
If food debris and other items that attract pests must go into the dumpster, clean the bin every time the provider empties it. When this isn’t possible, hire a professional dumpster cleaning company to handle this task for you.
Odors
Besides food smells, dumpsters often accumulate other smells. While humans often find these odors unpleasant, that isn’t the case for many animals. They actually use their sense of smell to ferret out food sources. Grease and organics often come with foul odors that attract these pests. Eliminate unpleasant smells with the help of a dumpster deodorizer. This deodorizer breaks down the grease and organics, so pests won’t gravitate to the dumpster. In addition, humans appreciate the deodorizer, as they don’t have to deal with these unpleasant smells, either.
Pest Repellents
If nothing you have done has worked, invest in pest repellents. While a person should never choose a repellent that contains harmful chemicals or poison, other options remain available. The poison and harmful chemicals may injure or kill wildlife, which leads to a whole new set of issues, but they may also harm pets, humans, and the planet.
Create a homemade pest repellent by common household items. This repellent keeps the animals away and won’t harm humans or animals when diluted properly. Another option involves using natural repellents. For instance, coyote urine keeps rabbits and skunks away. Purchase this commercial repellent and spray it around the dumpster. Animals smell the urine and believe a predator is near. They’ll avoid the dumpster, hoping to avoid the predator. Reapply the solution every time it rains.
Try several solutions to find the one or ones that work for you. Being proactive in keeping pests at bay always serves as the best option. When the dumpster remains problem-free, the project continues quickly and efficiently. Severe infestations, however, require the services of a pest control provider. Call for this help when animals continue to flock to the dumpster. Doing so ensures everyone remains safe while using this valuable tool during a project of any size.
