Animals in your dumpster can be a major concern. Not only do you want to avoid harming someone's actual pet, but also there is the issue with the mess that animals both tame and wild can cause to the environment around the dumpster. Animals can especially be a problem for restaurants or other businesses that must dispose of food. The following guide can help you keep animals large and small away from your dumpster.
Opt for a metal lid
Most modern dumpsters come with lids. You will usually have a choice between heavy duty plastic or a metal lid. When it comes to keeping animals out, go for the metal lid. Not only is it heavier, which prevents even dexterous pests like raccoons from opening it, but it's also less likely to become damaged. Plastic can crack over time or patient rodents can chew through it to gain entry to the dumpster. You also won't have to place a lock on the heavy metal lid to keep it closed, unless you also need to keep human visitors from messing with the dumpster.
Seal all openings
A dumpster shouldn't have any holes or cracks in the main container. It's important to check regularly, since the acidic nature of some garbage can corrode the dumpster and lead to small holes. Rats and mice can easily gain access through these and cause a mess as they pull stuff out of the dumpster. The lid should also fit snugly with no gaps for an animal to squeeze through. If you notice issues, contact your dumpster provider so they can seal the holes and gaps or replace the unit with an undamaged one.
Manage the environment
Some spots are more likely to attract pests. For example, if you place the dumpster on a weedy patch of land at the edge of your parking lot, animals can hide in the brush and then try to gain access at their leisure. Some animals, raccoons in particular, are smart and will take advantage of any time that the lid is accidentally left open for more than a few minutes. Park it on a hard surface and keep the brush and weeds trimmed down.
Keep it clean
Finally, cleanliness will help prevent your dumpster from becoming a target. Trash should be sealed in bags, which will help prevent odors from attracting animals. Also, keep the area around the dumpster clean. If garbage is spilled, especially liquids, clean it up promptly and then hose down the area to remove any residue. Make sure you also schedule regular pickups, as the longer the garbage sits, the more likely that it will attract pests.
Talk to a roll off dumpster company for more help with your dumpster and garbage needs or visit a website like http://www.tri-statedisposal.com/.
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