"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been
>>> putting spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes putting
>>> food down the garbage disposal (but not very often because plumbers told
>>> me not to), and mainly throwing the food away. We just threw out a LOT
>>> of it! It was either stuff I bought for my husband that he didn't eat
>>> (and we can't or won't) or special stuff that I mail ordered for Angela
>>> that went past its expiration date.
>>>
>>> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well.
>>> When they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to have a
>>> kitchen composter to put it in which needs to be emptied daily. Says to
>>> put baking soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in the lid for fruit
>>> flies.
>>>
>>> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the corner
>>> sells them.
>>>
>>> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems like
>>> they would be.
>>>
>>
>> I don't have one, but I put most food waste in the freezer, then into the
>> waste can for pickup the night before garbage collection. I also keep
>> the garbage can in my garage, then wheel it out to the curb the night
>> before pickup. I live in East Texas, and the heat here can quickly
>> create a smelly (and insect-attracting) situation if waste is simply
>> dumped into garbage cans outdoors.
>
> I am starting to worry now.
>
> Some time last year, my daughter came into the house all freaked out
> because our garbage was all over. Something got into the cans. Opened
> both cans and trash was strewn everywhere. This is why we got the animal
> proof cans. Well our yard waste can is not animal proof. *sigh*
>

I'm a bit puzzled...that is, I can't picture how your yard waste can is any
different now than before. Don't you place items from your kitchen
composter into the same container as you previously used? If so, could you
freeze things (as I do) and then put everything (bagged) into the waste can?

I had a problem with dogs getting into my waste can when I lived at my
previous house and couldn't keept it in the garage. I solved that by
putting stakes in the ground on both sides of the garbage can. These were
stakes intended for dog tie-outs. They screwed into the ground and had a
round "connecter" on the top. I used a bungee cord that I crossed over the
garbage can and connected to each of the stakes. Somewhat awkward, but it
solved the problem.

MaryL