Updated: May 12 2026 Many homeowners assume any garbage can will keep rats out — until they discover teeth marks or holes chewed straight through the plastic. Rats are surprisingly capable chewers, which means choosing the right material and design matters far more than most people realize. It was just another Thursday night. I went outside to toss my kitchen garbage into the bin. As I lifted the lid, a rat exploded out of the can like a furry missile, inches from my face. I yelped—loudly—and dropped the bag, heart pounding. Start here: Our complete guide to stopping rodent damage More…