Do you have trash pandas at your STRs?

Question

A trash panda got into the grease trap on my pellet grill last night.  It's pictured on the left.  You can see holes in the can from the bites.  A new one is on the right, that's what the old one looked like before the attack of the trash panda.  How do you deal with trash pandas?

Joel B. · Answer

Hi @Paul Sandhu,

First of all, you need to stop with the disrespect and refer to them as rabbits (thank you Thor) or raccoons. They're all over these forums and you don't want to piss them off. I think a few even work at BiggerPockets.

Second, you need to remove any source of food (things they would consider food) and water from outside your house. That means your grills need to be put in a shed or locked inside when not in use. Once they see there is no food for days, they will start to ignore you. Might need to put the birdbath away as well as the bird feeders.

Third, use light and sound emitting devices that come on when they detect motion at night. You can find stuff on Amazon for that.

Fourth, plant things racoons hate. They have sensitive feet, so things like cucumbers, pumpkins, oriental poppies, globe thistles, and green beans. Plant them around the perimeter of your yard.

Fifth, coons don't like the smell of peppermint, garlic, and onion. Make a spray of those and spray it everywhere. Same with peppers. You can also buy some predator urine spray online and spray that everywhere.

Do some searches online for more ideas.

Oh, and if you see the guy in the picture below, your screwed...

Hope that helps. Blessings!

Mike Shemp · Answer

We're still trying to figure out how to keep the bears from our garbage cans.  We use some straps we bought on Amazon, but they still get in.  They might keep racoons out though.

Mike