Tips to keep raccoons out of your barbecue "Guest" ready

Our annoying neighbors, the raccoons, love summer just as much as we do. We rave about fresh fruits and vegetables, grilled hot dogs, and a juicy burger, however, so do they. Long after we’ve cleaned up from the backyard barbecue is when the raccoons start preparing for theirs. They insist on raiding and picking up our trash, and once they’re done, they leave their mess all over the yard. To ban rodents from an after party, here are five tips to keep raccoons from rummaging through your trash can.

one. Keep the trash can inside. Whether your bin is in the garage or another enclosed area, a heavy gate as the only option for getting in and out will help keep trash in peace. Luckily, raccoons can’t reach doorknobs!

2. Install a 100-watt motion-sensing light. If your trash can is kept outside, a motion-sensing light aimed at the area where your trash can stays will help scare away raccoons and other pests at night. The bright flash of light will scare them away from their raid.

3. Sprinkle hot pepper or cayenne pepper around the trash can. While some stores carry raccoon repellants, if you prefer to use a more natural method, hot pepper and cayenne pepper will do the same job. A thin coating of seasoning will leave a strong odor that raccoons will avoid.

Four. Place a cloth soaked in ammonia in the bottom of the trash can.. The smell of ammonia has been found to scare away raccoons, so keeping the smell around your trash can at all times should help with the problem. Another option is to fill a spray bottle with ammonia and spray around the perimeter of your yard to keep them out completely.

5. Use bungee cord to secure lid to trash can. If the pests can’t get in, there will be no mess. The use of a bungee cord or string from a handle on the side of the can, through the handle on the lid, to the handle on the other side of the can should hold the lid in place and prevent entry of unwanted visitors.

It is also important to remember to always keep trash tied up in trash bags and keep a lid on the bin at all times. Using these tips should help with unwanted guests arriving at your party after hours and keep them out of the trash.