Is your rented dumpster overrun by rodents?
The main purpose of a roll-off dumpster rental is to carry waste and discard it in a nearby landfill. If you have rented a dumpster for commercial purposes in Michigan, it won’t stay there for long. However, there’s something that you must keep in mind. Dumpsters attract pests of all sizes and species. The sight of your roll-off dumpster getting swamped by pests is frustrating to say the least.
There are some measures that you can take to avoid your dumpster from getting overrun by pests. Here’s what you need to do.
Choose the Right Location
Place the dumpster at least 50 feet away from your site. If there is enough space, keep it as far as 100 feet from your nearest door.
Your dumpster environment should also be free of any trees or plants. This is because they can hide away fallen trash, which makes it hard to clean the area.
Avoid Food Waste
If you don’t want tiny creatures crawling all over your dumpster, then eliminate their sources of food. When you throw your food in the dumpster, it begins to spoil and produce a stinking smell. Soon, it attracts flies, paving the way for maggot infestation.
If bears are seen around your area, you should be more careful with your food waste or it will be hard to deal with them after they get attracted to your waste.
Place the Dumpster on Concrete
It is possible that rodents make their way to the underneath part of your roll-off dumpster rental in Michigan. This occurs when you place the dumpster on grass. Instead, place it on a concrete slab. This move has two-fold advantage:
- It prevents pests from getting underneath your dumpster.
- If any leakage is discovered, it won’t mix up with the groundwater, thanks to the concrete surface.
If you are unable to find a concrete slab, then you can install pads underneath the dumpster.
Cover the Dumpster Properly
Adequate covering plays an important role in the protection of your roll-off dumpster in Michigan. A lidded dumpster is effective in blocking smaller pests. However, larger ones such as raccoons can still get in the dumpster. To deal with them, you need a dumpster with an advanced lid. This type of lid contains a locking mechanism, which can’t be opened by animals.
If you intend to tie down your lids, remember that raccoons are craftier than you take them to be. They can chew the straps and enter your dumpster.
Use Spray Repellents
When there is no other alternative other than disposing waste that is bound to attract pests, and you can’t secure the lid as well, then you need a more potent solution.
If you are looking for a proactive and aggressive approach to prevent pests from infesting your roll-off dumpster in Michigan, wipe out them with repellents. Repellents are required when the waste you dispose of is known to attract pests. A dilute solution of water and ammonia is universally accepted as an effective pest repellent.
Ammonia is dangerous for the environment. Therefore, pay heed to the surrounding landscaping as well. You might damage it unintentionally due to your ammonia-based repellent. Also, keep in mind that rain can make your repellent ineffective. Therefore, you have to reapply it after the rain shower.
If your dumpsters are ravaged by larger pests, such as rabbits, skunks, and squirrels, you can ask around and buy coyote or fox urine. Next, spread it around your dumpster’s perimeter. The reason this solution works is because both coyotes and fox hunt for these pests. Therefore, once these pests smell their predators, they feel endangered and leave the area quickly.
Fight Off Odor
While renting a dumpster, you need to consider the odor coming out of it. Normal trash cans develop an unpleasant smell over time. Similarly, your dumpster can stink badly as well. Moreover, if you have a larger dumpster, such as a 30 or 40 yard roll-off dumpster in Michigan, foul odor will spread more quickly. Follow these suggestions to keep them away.
- If you want to ensure that your dumpster smells fresh and remove the unpleasant odor, you can add odor absorbers. Start by putting cedar chips or a bag of kitty litter in your dumpster right after it is placed on your property for use. Replace them whenever you empty the dumpster.
- Try to keep the contents of your dumpster dry. Once your dumpster’s content becomes wet, it can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which produces a foul odor. You can prevent water exposure by closing your dumpster. In this way, the dumpster content will remain dry.
- When it comes to reducing odor, it is a good idea to throw your garbage properly. For this purpose, you can use bags. Although you will be tempted to toss away your items in a dumpster directly, it is only going to make it smell worse. For the best possible protection, throw your garbage with odor-killing bags.
Commercial Dumpster Rental in Michigan
Pests can turn to be a nuisance, but by putting in some effort, you can protect your dumpsters and keep them away for good.
Waste Century Management is committed to addressing your commercial pest issues even during the ongoing coronavirus period. Get in touch with us so we can prevent your dumpsters from being overrun by these sneaky, little creatures. For any queries on how to manage your rented dumpsters, you can talk with our friendly representative.