This Simple Step May Be The Key To Keeping Critters Out Of Your Trash Cans

One of the most effective ways to prevent mice and other pests from entering your home is to eliminate potential food sources in the area. Sanitation issues are one reason why you may have a pesky rodent problem, and garbage cans can be a big attraction since they often contain human food. However, washing food containers before throwing them in your garbage cans can help lessen the attraction and keep pests out of your trash cans.

Besides mice, raccoons, rats, and possums can dive into your garbage cans scrounging for food particles on a regular basis. Insects are also more than happy to invade food containers, or cans or jars filled with food, too.

Though it's common to have a rodent problem at one time or another, mice in particular can cause a variety of problems, including property damage by biting and gnawing on wires and other structures. They can also spread disease and cause food contamination. Mice can carry several diseases that can be transmitted to humans, including hantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonella, and rat-bite fever, per Orkin. To prevent the spread of these diseases, it is important to eliminate rodent infestations in and around your home.

One of the main reasons mice and other pests enter homes is to find food, and as a result, they become very well-adapted to living in human environments where there is an abundance of food scraps and leftovers. Even worse, when they find a reliable and steady food source, they will stick around so if they know that they can leap in your garbage for a meal, they will set up camp. The key to keeping pests away, then, is to not leave food around that will attract them.

When you throw away food containers that have not been washed, you are essentially creating a feast for rodents right in your garbage can. The smell of food will attract them, and they will quickly make their way to your trash. Rodents enjoy a variety of flavors in their garbage feasts, ranging from bitter to salty and sour to sweet.

Though it is easier to just throw food and the container it comes in away in the trash, washing it out and removing the smell of food adds another layer of protection. While it may not prevent them from jumping into your garbage altogether, it can lessen the attraction that they have to your trash cans.

Think of washing food containers the same way we are advised to rinse out jars and cans before we recycle. First, you want to pour out any remaining liquid, so things like jars of olives or pickles should be dumped out in the sink. Then rinse out what remains. You don't want to throw out a jar or can that is dripping with food juice or slathered in sauce or gravy. Just give them a simple rinse with water until the sides and the bottoms are clean. For solid food scraps, a great way to get rid of them is to use them as compost.

Since pests will still be attracted to garbage, you should also work to make sure that your garbage cans are covered and clean. Rinse them out with a hose regularly. Allow your trash cans to dry in the sun and let the air soak up any lingering odors to keep critters at bay.