Scooping poop will never be a fun job. But these nine tips should help make pet waste removal a bit easier.
Establish a Cleanup Schedule
Picking up after your dog each time he goes to the bathroom is ideal but too hard to keep up with for many homeowners. A more realistic schedule might be weekly, bi-weekly, or before heavy rain. Heavy rain can make the task much more difficult.
Whatever schedule you choose, pick it up promptly before it can harm the grass as it breaks down. The longer it stays on the ground, the greater the health risk.
Get the Right Tools
Make sure you get the right tools for the job. You’ll need a rake, a lobby dustpan, and a trash bag. We recommend you also keep rubber, waterproof gloves, and boots handy.
Scoop. Don’t Pile
Scoop waste directly into a trash bag; don’t pile it up. Double-bag before placing it in your trash can to protect the collectors from germs.
Dog poop is not fertilizer. This belief is a common misconception. The EPA labeled dog waste a nonpoint source pollutant in 1991. This labeling places it in the same category as herbicides, insecticides, oil, grease, and toxic chemicals.
Follow a Grid Pattern
Following a grid pattern will make it easier to find all of your pet’s waste in the yard. It also speeds up the process, which is always a bonus!
Avoid Wearing Sunglasses
Believe it or not, some sunglasses make seeing pet waste lying around harder. So best to leave them off while you do the deed.
Attack from the Right Side
Attack from the side of the poop that appears the most stuck to the ground. It picks up the easiest.
When in Doubt, Scoop It
Unsure if that’s dog poop or a clump of mud? When in doubt, play it safe, and scoop it up. Dog waste is a significant source of E. coli and can contain up to 23 million fecal coliform bacteria per gram.
Train Your Pup
Train your pup to use a specific yard section to do their business each time. It’ll make scooping much faster and more manageable in the long run.
Use a Pet Waste Removal Service
Whatever schedule you choose, it’s important to pick it up before it can harm the grass as it breaks down. Don’t have time? Or prefer to wash your hands of the whole pet waste removal business? Consider hiring a service to do it for you.
Dogs bring such joy to our lives, but there’s one thing that can’t be avoided, pet waste removal. It must be done if you want to protect your lawn, your dogs, your children, and yourself from the mess and disease that can go with it!
Do you live in the Northwest Arkansas area and need lawn care help? At Nichols Reliable Lawn Care & More, we offer a wide range of lawn maintenance and concierge services, including pet waste removal. Call today and get a FREE estimate. 479.502.2192