Keep Pests Out Of Your Outdoor Trash Can With A Clever String Light Trick

Outdoor garbage cans are a hygienic way to store your trash between garbage truck visits. Unfortunately, garbage often attracts pests. While it is better for them to be outside rather than inside your home, having them rummage through your outdoor garbage bins can still be messy, annoying, and even frightening. If you are regularly picking up spilled trash from a knocked-over bin or you notice droppings or animal odors, it is time to explore some humane ways to keep critters out of your yard. One easy and surprisingly fun solution to try is hanging flashing holiday string lights on or near your garbage bin. Just plug them in and keep them running overnight to scare away pests.

If your garbage bins are being raided by raccoons, mice, opossums, or other nocturnal creatures, then the idea behind the holiday lights trick could apply to your situation. The eyes of nocturnal animals are designed for night vision, so bright, flashing lights can startle, confuse, and even temporarily blind the animals – just like how staring at a bright light can temporarily mess up your own eyesight. Additionally, the brightness makes nocturnal animals feel exposed and unsafe because the light makes it easier for their predators to spot them. Overall, holiday lights are a humane way to attempt to deter pests, but you must choose the right lights, understand the limitations of the trick, and know how to troubleshoot if the deterrence is not working for you.

Although part of the appeal of this trick is that you likely already have holiday lights at home, you will need to make sure that they are the right type to actually deter pests. Many outdoor string lights are static and emit soft lighting, which may make the space a bit less appealing to them but won't be as effective. Lights that are bright and dynamic are better, which is why many people try motion-detected lights as deterrents as well. Therefore, choose holiday lights with sudden flashing patterns and high intensity, and place them on or around your garbage bins for the best possible setup. 

Unfortunately, even with the best lights and positioning, you may still get pests. Over time, animals may get used to the lights, especially if the garbage treats are appealing enough. Make sure you know how often you should be cleaning your exterior garbage cans, aiming for a quick rinse after each pickup and a deeper cleaning once a month. If your lights still are not keeping animals away from freshly cleaned bins, you can try combining the holiday lights trick with other methods. Try securing your trash bin lids using bungee cords, using the WD-40 trick that keeps critters out of your trash bins, and placing all of your trash items in tied bags inside the bin rather than loose. With the help of some holiday string lights, you should be able to better manage your pest problem. If you encounter the animal at any point, though, be sure to call your local animal control for assistance.