City offers practical steps to keep pests out of compost
The City of Saint John is reminding residents of straightforward summer composting practices designed to deter pests and keep neighbourhoods clean. The Solid Waste Department is stressing that correct handling of food scraps and regular maintenance of green carts can reduce encounters with rodents and other animals during the warmer months.
Among the key recommendations, the city asks households to store garbage in sealed containers and to remove potential food sources such as backyard feeders, pet food left outdoors and fallen fruit. For those using backyard compost piles, the city advises adding only fruits and vegetables and avoiding fats, meat, fish, bread or grain products that attract pests.
Practical tips for green-cart users
- Use your green cart for food scraps and add plenty of yard waste to absorb odours.
- Wrap food scraps in newspaper or place them inside a paper lawn/yard bag within the cart to keep the interior drier and cleaner.
- If you find chew holes in the cart, stuff a rag soaked in bleach or use steel wool to block access, and request a replacement cart through Fundy Recycles if the damage is severe.
- Freeze smelly items such as meat and fish until collection day to limit attraction to pests.
- After collection, rinse the cart with detergent or a mild bleach solution (about 5 per cent bleach mixed with water) to reduce persistent odours.
The municipality emphasises that combining food scraps with yard material helps mask smells and reduces the chance of animals breaching cart vent holes. Residents who notice damage to their green carts are encouraged to request replacements rather than attempting repairs that may not be secure.
What to put in — and keep out of — your backyard composter and green cart
| Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables, yard waste, newspaper | Meat, fish, fats, bread, grain products |
"Let's work together to keep our community clean and green!"
By following the city’s guidance, households can help limit rodent activity, protect municipal crews and ensure the composting program runs efficiently through the summer. For more details or to raise a concern, residents should visit the City of Saint John website or contact the Solid Waste Department and Fundy Recycles for cart replacement requests.
These measures are aimed at keeping both private yards and public spaces safer and more sanitary as temperatures rise and pest pressure increases across the region.
