I've always lived in fairly rural areas, but when I moved into my current home that's essentially located in the woods, I discovered just how persistent wildlife could be in getting into trash cans. I tried everything — bungee cords, chains, only putting the trash out the night before going to the dump — but these critters persevered. I would have resorted to keeping the garbage cans on my enclosed porch, were it not for fear of a determined bear coming along and simply letting himself into my home.
At last, I started experimenting with all manner of animal-proof garbage cans. Finally, I found solutions to keeping the raccoons, squirrels, rodents, neighborhood dogs, and just about everything else out.
Keeping animals out of your garbage cans can be a big task, but it's also an important one. While some of the garbage cans in this list are on the more expensive side, they're likely worth it in terms of the time and frustration they'll save you, especially if you're dealing with persistent visits from wildlife. Plus, if you have a dog who is attracted to your garbage or who might come across a spilled container before you're aware of it, then these garbage cans could save your dog from serious digestive upset and a potential emergency trip to the vet. (When you consider the cost of an emergency vet trip, these cans will pay for themselves.)
We've evaluated these garbage cans according to their design, overall performance, ease of use, and the types of animals they're built to keep out. These garbage cans are ideal for homeowners or renters who live just about anywhere. In cases like mine, they're useful for keeping all sorts of wildlife out (even bears), but they're also ideal for urban residents who are dealing with rats, raccoons, and other animals.
If you're looking for additional ways to keep animals from bothering your garbage cans, strategies such as sprinkling some ammonia on each trash bag can help to deter raccoons and dogs. Leaving your garbage cans in an area that's well-lit or with lights that are on motion sensors at night may also help.
Updated on 08/29/2019 by Les Shu: Updated links, formatting, and prices. Added related home improvement buying guides.
Very few garbage cans are strong enough to keep bears from getting into your trash, but this Toter 64-Gallon Bear-Tight Wheeled Trash Can is one of the few that's up to the task. The key to this trash can's strength is its steel-reinforced rim and latch, and its double-walled lid. The bear-proof latch helps to keep your garbage secure, and the polyethylene construction is durable and scratch-resistant. Quarter-inch steel U-bolt hinges further reinforce the lid and ensure that it can't be easily pulled off. While this garbage can will keep bears out, it's ANSI-certified for both safety and compatibility with automated and semi-automated garbage truck lifters.
Looking for proof that this garbage can is really strong enough to withstand a hungry bear? Be sure to watch the video in the product description of what happens when the garbage can is left in the middle of a bear habitat.
As you can tell from its name, this garbage can has a generous 64-gallon capacity. It is built with rugged wheels, so you can easily tilt and roll the can on any type of terrain. Additionally, it is constructed with up to 50% recycled content.
The 64-Gallon Bear-Tight Wheeled Trash Can has a 5-star rating on Home Depot. One customer wrote, "It keeps out the raccoons! Very heavy so not as easy to take to curb ... it takes a minute to figure out how to disable the automatic latch for garbage pickup day but so far it has worked."
Pros: Rugged, durable design, bear-tight lock, steel-reinforced latch and rim, wheeled design
Cons: Heavier than most other garbage cans, pricey
Animal-proof garbage cans don't have to cost hundreds of dollars. If you don't have bears in your area, you can opt for something a little more lightweight, like this 32-Gallon Wheeled Outdoor Trash Can from United Solutions. Heavy-duty, blow-molded plastic makes this a durable can, and its 32-gallon capacity is perfect for household use, yard work, and more. Wheels and a handle make it easy to move it around.
This trash can features a turn-and-lock lid that creates a strong seal. I've been using this trash can for more than two years, and while a bear did get into it once, it's done an excellent job of keeping raccoons and other animals out. The locking lid is quite strong, and it goes on fairly smoothly once you get it lined up correctly. Sometimes the lock is so strong that I have to use two hands to get the lid unlocked again, but I would see this as a benefit, rather than a flaw.
If I could change one thing about this garbage can, I'd add a second handle or lip halfway down the can, below its main handle. This would make lifting it into and out of my truck much easier, especially when it's particularly heavy.
Pros: Turn-and-lock lid is easy to operate, heavyweight plastic construction, manageable 32-gallon capacity
Cons: Could use a second handle, won't keep bears out of your trash
When it comes to keeping rodents out of your trash cans, metal is one of the only ways to stop them from chewing their way through the cans. The Behrens 20-Gallon Metal Garbage Can is made of galvanized steel for chew-proof durability. The lid fits tightly, though there isn't any sort of latch or system to hold the lid in place, so larger animals, like raccoons, could still get into this garbage can (and make a lot of noise).
This trash can offers plenty of benefits. Thanks to its steel construction, it won't absorb odors the way plastic trash cans do. Two generously sized handles make it easy to carry, and the steel will not rust. An offset design keeps the actual bottom of the can from touching the ground, further extending its life by preventing it from sitting in rainwater or moist ground.
It's also made with no oil and is fully recyclable. Behrens has been producing metal containers since 1911, and this garbage can is manufactured in the USA.
The Behrens 20-Gallon Metal Garbage Can has a 4.1 out of 5-star Amazon rating based on more than 150 reviews. One customer wrote, "Good, solid construction. We use this for dog food storage in the garage. We had rodents chewing through the plastic bin we replaced, so they can now wear down their teeth trying to chew through metal. I thought I might have to secure the lid with a bungee cord to keep rodents out, but the lit fits snug enough I don't have to." Another buyer also uses this garbage can to keep rodents out: "Our house is very rural. This product was used to store dog food to keep the rodents out. Works well."
Pros: Durable, rodents can't chew through the can, fully recyclable, offset bottom keeps can off of the ground
Cons: Lid doesn't lock onto the can, no protection against larger animals
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