A commercial dumpster is a large container used to store trash until it can be transported to a landfill or other location. Dumpsters come in many shapes and sizes and can hold up to 25 cubic yards of trash.
There are many different types of dumpsters available for your home or business. When it comes to the outdoor variety, there are three types of dumpsters:
Roll-off Dumpsters – These are large cylindrical trash containers that can be rolled off a truck. There are a few reasons why this type of dumpster is common in residential neighborhoods, such as for garages, front lawns, or backyards.
A-frame Dumpsters – These are boxy dumpsters that typically hold about 30 cubic yards of waste. A-frame dumpsters are most commonly used for commercial purposes and can be found in parking lots, landscaping areas, and storage sheds.
Flat-bottom Dumpsters – These are the most popular dumpster for residential areas. A flat-bottom dumpster usually holds between 25 and 40 cubic yards of waste.
Dumpsters are popular and convenient for many reasons. For example, they are useful for storing debris after construction is complete, for storing large amounts of leaves, grass, and mulch, and for storing garbage before it gets recycled or hauled away. In the case of a restaurant, a dumpster might be used for disposing of food scraps, as well as for waste cleanup after an event.
When it comes to pests, dumpsters provide excellent habitat. They are big enough to hold a lot of debris and provide shelter from the elements for a wide variety of insects and rodents.
Pests and Their Effect on your Outdoor Dumpster
If your outdoor dumpster is getting an unwanted visitor, you might be surprised at what it’s actually trying to feed on inside your dumpster. While this could seem like something that only concerns garbage men, any person with a dumpster in their backyard can tell you pests can infest it.
If you haven’t thought about what could be in your outdoor dumpster, you might want to consider some of the things that pest control companies see. There are a few different options for dealing with pests, and each option comes with its pros and cons. You might be surprised at the things that can be found in your dumpster.
Dumpster pest control is not as easy as you might think. After all, there are hundreds of species of insects, and many of them don’t bite or sting. However, this doesn’t mean that dumpster pests don’t pose any kind of danger to your business or your staff.
Some of the most common dumpster pests include:
Ants – These can be very beneficial for you when used correctly. Ants love fresh food and drink, so placing bait traps around dumpsters or dumpsters near your office can help attract ants. Just be careful to not use anything toxic, as it could kill the ant before they get to your dumpster. You should also be sure to inspect the dumpsters periodically to make sure they haven’t been emptied and the trash removed. If you find ants in dumpsters, you can apply some commercial insecticides or even granular sodium bicarbonate to control the ants.
Birds – Birds are always on the lookout for food. Placing bird feeders near dumpsters can help them find some good food. Some birds may try to steal garbage or food from dumpsters, but they usually aren’t a real problem.
Bedbugs – Bedbugs are one of the most common and troublesome dumpster pests. They are small and dark, and they love to live in places where humans spend a lot of time. In addition to the nuisance of having to find and treat bedbug bites, there are actually some health risks associated with having bedbugs in your home. In particular, a small percentage of people can develop allergic reactions to bedbug saliva.
Mice – Mice eat trash and food, and they are also a great vector for disease. If your dumpster has food or trash left in it, it will likely attract mice. Mice are especially attracted to dumpsters at night, and they will also eat anything that smells of food. If you see mice running around your dumpster, you can usually assume that your dumpster is infested.
Pests – Pests come in many shapes and sizes, and they can do a number on your business. Hives can become a huge problem if they are in the air vents of your building. Mice can chew through electrical wiring, and termites are a big problem if they enter your building. Pest control is a serious and costly endeavor. In most cases, you will need to hire a professional pest control company to perform the job.
Spiders– Spider webs are a common sight, but they don’t usually present a threat to your dumpster. Spider webs are usually spun in areas that have high humidity and lots of light, like in the spring.
Snails – Snails are similar to slugs in that they are slimy and they are generally harmless. They may cause damage to your landscaping if they burrow in your lawn, but they won’t hurt your dumpster.
Worms – Worms can be extremely dangerous to your dumpster. They can burrow into the dumpster and destroy whatever is inside, and they can even crawl up your legs and bite you. Worms are generally associated with sewage, so you should try to keep them away from your dumpster.
Mosquitoes – Mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, and Yellow Fever. Most people are familiar with malaria, but the West Nile Virus is much more common in the United States. Mosquitoes also love to hide in places that you can’t see, so you should check your dumpster at least once every week.
How to Prevent Pest Infestation of an Outdoor Dumpster
Regardless of the reason, you should have pest control measures in place in order to keep your trash bin pest-free.
First, there are a number of things you can do to help prevent pests from entering the trash bin. To prevent rodents from entering, you should cover the opening of the container with wire mesh.
You can also use commercially made rodent repellents such as citronella or peppermint oils in a spray or a mist. You can use these for small pests or use them as insect repellent. Make sure that you store any of these in airtight containers. You may want to use these products along with the wire mesh.
Next, if you notice ants around your outdoor trash bin, you should take steps to prevent the build-up of a colony. In this case, you should treat the area around the waste receptacle with a chemical called Dibrom. This is a commonly used ant poison that has been shown to work effectively on ants. You should apply this poison near the waste receptacle and let it dry. Once it is dry, you should remove it and discard it.
Finally, you can also treat the inside of the waste receptacle with a baits or traps. There are many types of baits that are used in traps. Some are food baits that attract ants, others are ant-specific baits that are attractive only to ants. These baits are placed inside the receptacle and allow you to get rid of the ants once the bait has attracted the ants to the trap.
Pests can be problematic, and having the right means of controlling them can help keep your trash bin pest-free.