How do I stop skunks and squirrels from tearing up my garbage?

Tammie
by Tammie
  3 answers
  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on Oct 25, 2019
    Really strong smells helps. I spray down my trash bags with a dilute bleach solution. I've also heard that cayenne works.
  • Gabrielle Falk Gabrielle Falk on Oct 28, 2019

    I stopped one of my little dogs from chewing the outside table legs (which table was under the outside pergola) -by smearing Tabasco sauce on the bottom part of the table legs. Up to about 9". No need for fancy sprays, etc.. Or convoluted mixtures. This method also stopped my other little dog from chewing the waste disposal hose from the washing machine that goes into the drain - Tabasco - equals no chewing, no problem. You may have to sprinkle a little Tabasco every so often, but after a while, because animals are not silly (unlike many 'people'), they will associate that smell, or fierce (hot) taste with the rubbish etc. - and will not return. You may have to keep up this regime - off and on - but if if solves the problem, well this is an easy fix. Oh. And make sure that your garbage bins have a tight lid, and that it is closed tightly every night. Plus, again, if the lid is tightly secured, sprinkle Tabasco on the lid. Mind you. Make sure you have gloves on if you use Tab. because if you rub your eyes, or face without thinking - you will be so sorry - because the harder you rub to get rid of the 'heat', the worse it will become. With every solution, there is always a possible hazzard.

  • Can you purchase bins with lids? My waste management services provides 3 bins - recycle which is blue, grass and yard waste is green and for any other household trash in a black bin. Back in the day, one had to provide their own trash cans, either metal or plastic, with lids and we used a dolly to move to the curb each week. Is that an option for you?