Dumpsters are necessary for any homeowner who wants to keep their yards neat and clean. However, despite their popularity and convenience, dumpsters are notorious for providing excellent habitats for pests. Whether your dumpster holds debris from a construction site or food scraps from a restaurant, you must know how to prevent a pest infestation of an outdoor dumpster.
Why Should You Choose a Dumpster Rental?
Outdoor dumpsters are large containers that you can use to store your trash and garbage until it is transported to a nearby landfill or recycling center. These dumpsters can be availed via dumpster rental service providers that offer a wide array of dumpster options. However, the most common types of outdoor dumpsters are:
Roll–off Dumpsters – These are cylindrical trash containers that can be rolled off a truck, hence the name roll–off dumpsters. Typically, these large dumpsters are commonly found in residential neighborhoods, garages, front lawns, or backyards.
A – frame Dumpsters – These are boxy dumpsters that can hold up to 30 cubic yards of waste. Typically, A-frame dumpsters are primarily used for commercial purposes and can be found in areas around parking lots, landscaping areas, and storage sheds.
Flat–bottom dumpsters – These dumpsters are the most commonly found dumpsters in residential areas. A typical flat–bottom dumpster can hold anywhere between 25 and 40 cubic yards of waste.
Renting a dumpster is one of the most convenient ways to store and dispose of waste, debris from construction sites, or food scraps after an event.
However, outdoor dumpsters also provide the perfect breeding ground for pests as they can be an adequate shelter for various insects and rodents.
Types of Pests Commonly Found in Your Outdoor Dumpster
Dealing with pests in your dumpster can be challenging. The first step is to understand the possibility that you may have a pest infestation in your dumpster. However, the following steps aren’t as easy. There are hundreds of species of pests that can live in your dumpster, each with wildly different characteristics.
The most common types of dumpster pests are:
- Ants – Ants thrive in the presence of fresh food and drink. You can use bait traps around dumpsters that can help attract ants. However, using toxic methods to kill ants is not recommended, as the ants will perish before they reach the dumpster. In case you find ants in your dumpster after it has been emptied, you can use commercial insecticides to eradicate them.
- Bedbugs – Bedbugs are one of the most notorious dumpster pests. These insects prefer living in dark places and thrive in dumpsters near homes where they can find humans. A bedbug bite can have several associated health risks; in rare cases, people can even develop allergic reactions to their saliva.
- Birds – Like ants, birds are always looking for food. You can place bird feeders near your dumpsters to encourage them to get good food instead of trash. However, birds may occasionally rummage through your dumpster but do not create significant issues.
- Pests – Pests is a blanket term used for anything that can infest your outdoor dumpster. Hives also pose significant issues if your dumpster is placed near an air vent.
- Mice – Mice survive on trash and food. Since mice are an excellent vector for several diseases, it is vital to deal with mice infestations in your dumpster. If edible waste is left overnight in the dumpsters, it is bound to attract ants.
How to Prevent Pest Infestation of an Outdoor Dumpster?
A pest infestation must be prevented at all costs. Here are some ways to keep your outdoor dumpster free from any pests.
Take care of the exterior
Keeping your trash dumpster covered with a wire mesh can deter large rodents from making their way into your dumpster. Furthermore, you can use rodent repellents like citronella or peppermint oil to repel any rodents.
Preventing a build-up
If you notice ants outside your dumpster, you should take all necessary steps to prevent them from building up a colony. If you can avoid a build-up, you can deal with pests in your dumpster efficiently.
Using baits
You can fit the inside of your dumpster with baits and traps than can attract specific pests. You can also use traps inside the receptacle to lure ants with bait.
The Bottom Line
Contrary to popular belief, any outdoor dumpster is at risk of a pest infestation. You can easily prevent a pest infestation of an outdoor dumpster by following certain precautions and steps, as mentioned above. The fear of pests should not discourage you from getting a dumpster rental, as they can be easily dealt with by using precautionary measures.
