Help! How do I stop the animals!?

[sheath]

Grrr...

Weird question for a sex board, I know...LOL

Okay, I have this problem that might seem simple and silly and all that, but dammit, it's annoying me to no end!

Every night, some sort of animal gets into my trash cans out behind the house. These trash cans are big Rubbermaid things with locking lids. I always make sure they are locked. Every morning, the trash can is on its side, and the trash bags have been pulled out. The bags have little holes in them where some animal has gotten into the food or whatever they wanted in there. And part of it is strewn all over the yard.

I have tried putting heavy 'river rocks' on top of the trash can, yet this animal still pulls it over. I have no idea how it unlocks the trash can, but it does. The worst thing is, I can't catch the little fucker. I don't even know what this thing IS so how can I know the best way to combat it? Funny thing, too...it is just MY trash cans. The neighbors haven't had that problem, even though one of them doesn't even use a can, he just piles the bags behind his house, under his deck!

I live right next to the treeline of a pretty large wooded area...a forest, I guess you could call it. So heaven only knows what is out there.

I've tried installing motion lights and it doesn't seem to care.

I've also tried the idea of noisemakers...like, beans inside a tin can, when tipped over, it makes noise? That doesn't work. But it does alert me to whatever is out there. Then I set up the garbage can. Then it KEEPS COMING BACK until I am asleep, I guess, and then gets into the cans anyway.

Does anybody have any ideas? I'm open to anything at this point. I'm spending a fortune on trash bags and besides that, I'm tired of picking up the trash out of the yard!

Thanks, all...

S.

 

[spedjeep]

Do you have a video camera? Perhaps you could call animal control and they could give you some ideas.

 

[sheath]

Do you have a video camera? Perhaps you could call animal control and they could give you some ideas.

I haven't thought of using the video camera...I could set that up on the steps. My only concern with that is that the thing would go for the camera! At this point, it's probably capable of actually running the thing.

I did try calling animal control, and they just kinda laughed it off. My problem, unless somebody gets hurt.

*shrugs*

S.

 

[Missingmeds]

Here is an idea. Do not put food scraps of any kind in your trash, instead put it in separate bags and leave it in a dumpster somewhere. Couple of times that it does find food it will move on.

It could be anything from a raccoon to a black or brown bear. Either are very good at making a mess of the trash, and they seem to be able to smell food scraps a mile away.

 

[midwestyankee]

Can you attach something to the house that would restrain the cans? I'm thinking something like a net made from bungee cord material might be sufficiently sturdy to keep a small animal from the cans.

And while I'm not a country boy, this certainly sounds like a raccoon's behavior. They're pesky, smart, and adroit.

Another possibility would be to try some really bad music playing near the cans during the night. Or maybe some outrageously nauseating radio program. If the little rascal is all that smart, maybe he'd stop dropping by when he realizes he'll have to put up with Rush Limbaugh or his ilk just to get a few morsels of food.

 

[sheath]

Missingmeds, good ideas. I will give that a try. It can't be any more work than what the little thing is already causing me!

Your comment about bears stopped me cold, though. I know they have been seen around here, but I never thought one might be in my backyard. And I like to go outside at night, especially in the rain, and I love to make love under those trees. Maybe I should look into this problem a little more seriously...

midwestyankee: Restraining the cans is a good idea. I would have to drill into the side of the house to do that, but it would be worth it, I think.

But since I cannot handle even a moment of Rush, not even long enough to turn on the radio and run, I won't be using the radio idea.

S.

 

[manofsteel52]

Grrr...

Weird question for a sex board, I know...LOL

Okay, I have this problem that might seem simple and silly and all that, but dammit, it's annoying me to no end!

Every night, some sort of animal gets into my trash cans out behind the house. These trash cans are big Rubbermaid things with locking lids. I always make sure they are locked. Every morning, the trash can is on its side, and the trash bags have been pulled out. The bags have little holes in them where some animal has gotten into the food or whatever they wanted in there. And part of it is strewn all over the yard.

I have tried putting heavy 'river rocks' on top of the trash can, yet this animal still pulls it over. I have no idea how it unlocks the trash can, but it does. The worst thing is, I can't catch the little fucker. I don't even know what this thing IS so how can I know the best way to combat it? Funny thing, too...it is just MY trash cans. The neighbors haven't had that problem, even though one of them doesn't even use a can, he just piles the bags behind his house, under his deck!

I live right next to the treeline of a pretty large wooded area...a forest, I guess you could call it. So heaven only knows what is out there.

I've tried installing motion lights and it doesn't seem to care.

I've also tried the idea of noisemakers...like, beans inside a tin can, when tipped over, it makes noise? That doesn't work. But it does alert me to whatever is out there. Then I set up the garbage can. Then it KEEPS COMING BACK until I am asleep, I guess, and then gets into the cans anyway.

Does anybody have any ideas? I'm open to anything at this point. I'm spending a fortune on trash bags and besides that, I'm tired of picking up the trash out of the yard!

Thanks, all...

S.

From what you describe, the most likely culprit is raccoons.
I've made special straps to secure the lids on trash cans, and when the coons couldn't get into them, they actually tore holes(about 1.5-2. in diameter) in the Rubbermaid cans and pulled pieces of the bags out through the holes. the only thing that works is
1. Get rid of the coons(trap & relocate)
2. Put the trash cans in a shed or garage where the animals can't get into them.

 

[sheath]

Re: Re: Help! How do I stop the animals!?

From what you describe, the most likely culprit is raccoons.
I've made special straps to secure the lids on trash cans, and when the coons couldn't get into them, they actually tore holes(about 1.5-2. in diameter) in the Rubbermaid cans and pulled pieces of the bags out through the holes. the only thing that works is
1. Get rid of the coons(trap & relocate)
2. Put the trash cans in a shed or garage where the animals can't get into them.

They actually tore holes in the CANS?

Oh, my God. *very nervous laugh*

Ummm...the shed seems like a good idea all of a sudden...

S.

 

[cyberski]

Sorry....I'll stop if it's that much trouble to you

 

[Machiavellian]

I have my things in the shed and the only thing u gotta worry about is bugs - overall its not too bad - but get a compost or leave the garbage can out there empty for a while and find somewhere else for your garbage - like whoever said it before - maybe they'll get bored and go elsewhere.

 

[sheath]

Sorry....I'll stop if it's that much trouble to you

First you lurk around my windows, take pictures through the blinds, and now you are tipping over my trash cans?

Hell, why don't you just come on in the house?

S.

 

[sheath]

I have my things in the shed and the only thing u gotta worry about is bugs - overall its not too bad - but get a compost or leave the garbage can out there empty for a while and find somewhere else for your garbage - like whoever said it before - maybe they'll get bored and go elsewhere.

Now I guess I need to figure out how to move everything around in the shed so that I can actually put those cans in there. *sigh*

S.

 

[NaiveOne]

We had racoon problems, though maybe not as spastic as yours!

My dad bought these metal spring clamps that strongly secure the lid to the can. The only way I can describe them would be to imagine binder clips (or would that be nipple clamps, I dunno ) on steroids, crack, and rubber cement fumes! You grip the rubber coated metal handles and squeeze- which opens the end clamps. When your hand isn't puting pressure on them, they stay tighly closed, presumably holding the lid tight. Check out your local hardware store.

Good luck!

 

[cyberski]

First you lurk around my windows, take pictures through the blinds, and now you are tipping over my trash cans?

Hell, why don't you just come on in the house?

S.

You mean I can cum IN the house too?

 

[CaptainAhab]

bungee

I would use bungee to tightly secure the lid to the can.

Good luck ...

 

[Willing and Unsure]

here's how they get in. We've got the same problem happening at my parents house. The animal, whatever it is, knocks over the can and then jumps on the side. When it jumps on the side it causes the air from within to push the lid off, at least just enough to get it open. and then they can have whatever they want that's inside.

The solution we came up with that was pretty cheap. Bungi cords (or however you spell it). They have yet to get them open with the cords on. They're cheaper than the pressure thing that was mentioned by someone else and they work just as well.

 

[skme]

Maybe E.T. has returned! and hes hungry. watch out and dont put Reeses Pieces in the garbage!OUUUUch!

 

[cyberski]

Maybe what ya gotta do is go out and get yourself some of the gawd awful hottest-ass habanero peppers, or something along that line and first off line the edge of the lid with the juices, and then put some of the bastages in the can for the little fuck to chaw on

 

[Treeview]

Unscrew the light bulb from the motion detector and screw in an adapter for an outlet. Plug in the radio set to loud talk radio. Instead of light, there will be voices coming on.

Get metal garbage cans and secure them with something better than rubber bands. Bungees won't deter a critter worth it's beans.

Urinating around the area works too. Mark your territory. You could also get urine from the next bigger carnivore from the zoo. What raccoon would want to mess with the lion's eats?

 

[alonelygal]

Just a thought here...might be a bit on the cruel side...

i forget where i heard it but i spray my garbage with ammonia. i live in the city (darn it) and this has kept the strays out of my garbage for years. They don't even touch it anymore. Before i did this, the cans would be turned over and dug into every night. Since i started, they don't come near it...they go straight for the neighbors...

So long as i don't have to clean it up

 

[SkyyAngel]

Nah not cruel. It's a natural solution. The smell drives them away. It's not like you're pouring it on their heads or something.

 

[sheath]

Thank you all for the ideas! The little fucker got into the cans AGAIN while I was asleep. *sigh*

Willing and Unsure, thanks for the idea on how they are getting into the things. It makes sense. So much so, I tried it myself after I went out there to clean things up, and though it didn't work for me, I can see how it might work with a little more leverage somehow.

I like the idea of a natural remedy...I hate the idea of having to walk out to the shed, open the door, open the can, put the garbage in...I just want to plop it in the can, set the lid and be done! I work enough as it is, I don't want to have to work to put the garbage away, too.

I'm going to think on this and decide which method to try first.

You guys are just a wellspring of ideas, about anything, no matter what it is. Thanks.

S.

 

[Machiavellian]

Good luck all the same with whatever u do.
But if they can smell it they'll go to it - I would seriously look to moving your cans outta sight.

 

[_Milky_Whites_]

We had the same problem for a long time. Come to find out we were getting 5-6 coons a night and skunks in between. Hubby borrowed some coon traps and caught them, gave them to his brother in law who relocated to his woods to teach his hounds to hunt. Redneck, I know, but it worked. Hardly any coons here now. Another idea that I used to use to keep the neighbors free roaming dogs out....sprinkle something really strong and nasty over the bags. We're talking a touch of gas or kerosene, some pepper spray, something they won't want in their mouth. That helped.

Relocating coons to train huntin' dogs and sprinkling gas over the garbage....boy, can ya tell where I'm from??

 

[madmanmike]

this is the best way to take care of it.

things too need
1) weekend off
2) full garbage can
3) camoflage outfit
4) hiding place
5) paintball gun
6) paintballs


get 2 consecutive days off and stay up at night. get in your camo and freeze your paintballs.(they become like rocks and ive seen them bust straight through a wooden fence post) fill your garbage can and wait for the racoons and then get your revenge. other than that you could try and trap em.