Dumpsters can be both an attractant and a breeding site for pests. The combination of food, water, and shelter makes these waste containers irresistible to many creatures. So the best way to keep pests away is to manage your waste properly and maintain cleanliness around the dumpster.
Rats and mice top the list of dumpster invaders. Once established, rodents create networks of burrows nearby and can contaminate large amounts of material with their droppings and urine. Flies present another major concern around dumpsters. These pests carry bacteria and pathogens on their bodies and can quickly spread contamination to nearby buildings. Cockroaches thrive in dumpster environments, particularly German and American cockroaches. They hide in cracks and crevices during the day and emerge at night to feed.
What should you do to prevent a pest infestation of an outdoor dumpster?
Prevention starts with creating an unwelcoming environment for pests. Keep the area around your dumpster as clean as possible by picking up any scattered trash immediately. Even small food scraps can attract pests and signal that your dumpster area is a reliable food source.
Additionally, good lighting helps staff spot potential problems during evening trash runs.
7 Ways to Minimize Pests Around Dumpsters
Follow these easy tips for proper installation and maintenance of dumpsters around your facility:
- Under ideal conditions, dumpsters would be located more than 100 feet from the structure. This is not possible for large facilities, and so the dumpster is often placed next to the dock doors. The closer the dumpster is to the building, the greater the potential for pests. Make sure that pest proofing is at its highest level in this area. Pest-proof neighboring doors and keep doors closed when not in use.
- Dumpsters should be situated on a thick concrete pad that has foundation toes on the outside to keep rodents from burrowing under the pad. If possible, the dumpster area should slope to a sanitary sewer drain to handle runoff from cleaning.
- There should be no thick shrubbery around dumpster enclosures. Such plants might help conceal the dumpster from view, but they also conceal rodent burrows, encourage birds, and can be areas where dumpster-related litter collects. Make sure weeds or grass around a dumpster are trimmed and managed.
- Dumpsters should be enclosed or have lids. Lids must be kept closed when not actively adding trash to it. Closed lids and dumpsters can decrease pest access and odors that may be emanating from the dumpster contents.
- Dumpsters should be cleaned each time they are emptied. This is especially important in the summer months when flies and other insects are actively foraging. Waste haulers can provide the cleaning service for their customers. Have a staff member present when the dumpster box is removed and emptied in order to clean the dumpster area and the slab directly underneath.
- Dumpsters should not be damaged, leaking, or rusted through. Otherwise, they should be replaced. Trash service agreements should specify that dumpsters shall be replaced with new or reconditioned dumpsters on a regular basis.
- Contact your pest management professional if pest activity, like birds, rodents, or flies are observed around the dumpster
Keep Pests Out for Good
Don’t wait until you have a serious infestation to seek help. Regular professional inspections can catch problems early when they’re easier and less expensive to solve.
Our trained technicians can identify pest entry points you might miss and implement targeted solutions that address your infestation. We use integrated pest management (IPM) techniques that combine prevention, monitoring, and treatment for long-lasting results.
Contact us today to get started with a personalized service quote.