6 Best Raccoon Proof Wires For Garbage Cans That Old Farmers Swear By

You’ve heard the crash in the middle of the night and known exactly what it was before you even got out of bed. The next morning confirms it: garbage is strewn across the yard, a tell-tale sign of a visit from the local raccoon gang. For those of us on a small farm, unsecured garbage isn’t just an eyesore; it’s an open invitation for pests that can cause bigger problems down the line. Securing your cans isn’t about being mean, it’s about managing your homestead effectively and preventing a nightly mess.

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Why Simple Wire Isn’t Enough for Clever Raccoons

Let’s be honest, a single strand of baling wire or a cheap, thin bungee cord is a joke to a determined raccoon. These animals have remarkable dexterity in their front paws, functioning much like little hands. They can pull, twist, and unhook simple fasteners with surprising speed.

A simple hook-end bungee is often the first thing people try, and it’s also the first thing to fail. A smart raccoon will simply brace the can and pull the cord until the hook slips off. If that doesn’t work, they’ve been known to chew right through the thin rubber cords over the course of a few nights.

The core problem is that simple wires and cords only create a single point of tension. Raccoons are problem solvers. They will test the entire lid perimeter, looking for the weakest point to pry up, and a single strap across the middle leaves the front and back edges vulnerable. You need a solution that either provides overwhelming force or is too complex for their non-opposable thumbs to manipulate.

Keeper O-Track Bungee Cord: Simple Security

The Keeper O-Track Bungee isn’t your standard hardware store bungee. Its key feature is the circular "O-ring" on the end instead of a simple hook. This small change makes a big difference in outsmarting a raccoon.

You secure this bungee by passing the cord through the O-ring and pulling it tight, creating a loop that cinches down on itself. A raccoon can’t just "unhook" it. They would have to figure out how to introduce slack into the line, which is much more difficult. It’s a simple, elegant upgrade to a common tool.

This is a great starting point for most situations. It’s fast to secure and release on garbage day, and it’s a significant step up from basic cords. However, it’s still a bungee cord. A truly persistent animal with a lot of time on its hands might still attempt to chew through it, so consider it a strong deterrent, not an impenetrable fortress.

Strong Strap: The Universal Garbage Can Lid Lock

When you’re ready to move beyond repurposed bungees, a purpose-built product like the Strong Strap is the logical next step. This is a system designed specifically for locking down garbage can lids, and its design reflects an understanding of how critters try to break in.

The Strong Strap is essentially a heavy-duty nylon webbed strap with a quick-release buckle. You attach it by drilling a couple of small holes into the handles of your garbage can, which is a five-minute job. The strap then runs over the top of the lid, cinches down tight, and clips shut.

The real advantage here is the buckle. It’s the kind of side-release buckle you’d find on a backpack, which requires a pinching motion to open. Raccoons simply don’t have the thumb dexterity to operate it. By applying strong, even pressure across the lid with a lock they can’t physically open, you eliminate their primary methods of entry: prying and unhooking.

Blazer Brand Can-Strap for Animal-Proof Lids

Similar to the Strong Strap, the Blazer Can-Strap is another excellent purpose-built solution that focuses on durability. Made from tough, weather-resistant polypropylene, it’s designed to live outside in the sun, rain, and snow without degrading. This is a key consideration on a farm where your cans are likely exposed to the elements year-round.

The Blazer’s design often includes a slightly different buckle mechanism that is just as effective at thwarting critters. More importantly, its installation is dead simple and usually requires no tools or drilling. The straps loop directly around the existing handles of your can, making it a universal fit for most standard plastic bins.

This is the perfect choice if you want a robust, dedicated solution without modifying your garbage cans. It’s strong enough for raccoons, bears, and nosy dogs. The convenience of not having to drill holes makes it a quick and effective upgrade for anyone tired of cleaning up morning messes.

Rhino USA Ratchet Straps: Unbeatable Strength

Sometimes, you’re not just dealing with a curious raccoon; you’re at war. For those situations, it’s time to bring in the heavy equipment. A simple 1-inch ratchet strap, like the ones made by Rhino USA, is the final word in garbage can security. Many of us already have a set of these in the barn for tying down loads.

The principle is simple: overwhelming force. Loop the strap around the can, over the lid, and back through the ratchet mechanism. A few cranks on the handle and you can apply an incredible amount of pressure. The lid becomes so tightly compressed against the can that there is absolutely no give. A raccoon can’t get a claw or a nose into any gap to even begin prying.

The tradeoff is convenience. Securing and releasing a ratchet strap takes a minute or two, which can feel like a chore on trash day. But when you’re facing a family of large, determined raccoons that have defeated every other defense, the extra 60 seconds is well worth a clean yard. This is the solution you turn to when nothing else has worked.

Erickson Spider Bungee for Full Lid Coverage

A different approach to the problem is to secure the entire lid at once, not just the center. This is where an Erickson "Spider" Bungee or a small cargo net comes in. Instead of a single strap, this is a central ring with multiple bungee arms radiating outwards, each with a hook on the end.

This design is brilliant because it addresses the raccoon’s strategy of prying at the edges. By hooking the arms at four, six, or even eight points around the can’s lip, you distribute the tension evenly across the entire lid. There are no weak corners to exploit.

The Spider Bungee is also incredibly versatile. It works great on cans that have damaged lids or don’t close perfectly, as the multiple anchor points can pull the lid into place. For anyone dealing with clever animals that have figured out how to lift the edges of a single-strapped lid, the full-coverage approach of a spider bungee is often the perfect counter-move.

Grip-Rite Rebar Tie Wire for a Custom Fit Lock

This is the old-timer’s solution, born from pure pragmatism and a refusal to be beaten by a masked bandit. It’s not a product you buy; it’s a method you implement with a roll of heavy-gauge tie wire, like the kind used for securing rebar. It’s cheap, incredibly strong, and completely effective.

The process involves drilling a small hole through the upper lip of the can and another through the edge of the lid, right next to each other. You then thread a short piece of tie wire through the holes and use a pair of pliers to twist it tightly shut. Repeat this on two or three sides of the can.

Let’s be clear: this is the least convenient option. You will need pliers to open and close it every single time you use the can. But it is 100% raccoon-proof. They cannot untwist heavy wire, and they absolutely cannot chew through it. This is the lockdown option for a remote compost bin or a can you only need to access once a week.

Choosing the Right Lid Lock for Your Farm’s Needs

There is no single "best" solution, only the right one for your specific situation. The key is to match your defense to the level of threat you’re facing.

Start by assessing your raccoon problem:

• Casual Visitor: A single, curious raccoon might be deterred by a simple upgrade like the Keeper O-Track Bungee. It’s easy and often enough.
• Persistent Pest: If they’re coming back nightly and have defeated a basic bungee, it’s time for a purpose-built solution like the Strong Strap or Blazer Can-Strap. The critter-proof buckle is the key.
• Determined Gang: For a family of raccoons or a particularly large and strong animal, you need overwhelming force. The Rhino USA Ratchet Strap is your best bet for pure, unyielding strength. The Spider Bungee is a great alternative if they are prying the edges.
• The Nuclear Option: If you have a can that you rarely access and you want it locked down permanently, the Rebar Tie Wire method is cheap and unbeatable, though inconvenient.

Think about your own tolerance for hassle. If a solution is too difficult to use, you’ll stop using it, and the raccoons will win. Balance the security you need with the convenience you require for daily or weekly use. The best lock is the one you’ll actually use consistently.

Ultimately, outsmarting a raccoon comes down to understanding their strengths—dexterity and persistence—and using a tool that counters them effectively. Whether it’s a simple strap or a heavy-duty ratchet, the right system buys you peace of mind and, more importantly, a clean yard come morning.