Trash bandits raid Ottawa resident’s green bin. Tips to keep animals out of your organic waste bin

A local Reddit user captured this video of raccoons easily prying open his green bin after it had been “raided” several times.

A determined raccoon wasn’t going to let the lock stop them from accessing a green bin outside an Ottawa home.

A local Reddit user captured video of raccoons easily prying open his green bin this week.

The man who posted the video tells CTV News Ottawa to set up a camera to figure out how raccoons kept getting into the green bin. The video shows a raccoon knocking over the green bin, then easily opening the handle within 30 seconds.

The handle is designed to keep animals out, and the city recommends locking the lid to “keep animals out of your green bin.”

The City of Ottawa offers the following tips to keep animals and bugs out of your green bin:

• Keep your green bin away from fences and deck railings so that animals can’t get into it.
• If you do place your bin near a fence or deck railing, secure it with a bungee cord so it doesn’t get knocked over.
• Sprinkling a strong-smelling biodegradable repellent such as vinegar or detergent on your green bin helps keep pests away.
• Remember to lock the lid to keep animals out of your green bin, the city says
• Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, chili pepper or hot sauce can act as anti-gnawing repellents and help deter animals from taking an interest in your green bin.