El Paso Trash and Yard Rules That Keep Rodents Away

Rodents need food, water and cover. In El Paso, the city's rules on weeds, trash, dumping and outdoor storage cut into all three, and the CDC's yard advice fills in the rest. The short list: keep vegetation trimmed, including the parkway and alley; do not dump or pile junk; keep garbage in a tight container; move woodpiles and compost away from the house; and get rid of bulky items through the city's pickup or collection stations.

Below are the code sections the city itself points to, how to dispose of bulky items, and the yard changes that help most with rats, mice and woodrats.

City code sections the city lists

El Paso's Code Enforcement page lists common nuisance problems along with the code sections behind them. These are the ones that matter most for rodents.

Weeds and overgrowth, Section 9.04.860: grass, weeds and uncultivated plants should not be allowed to become overgrown, and owners maintain vegetation in parkways and alleys.
Illegal dumping, Section 9.04.670: no dumping of garbage, construction materials or used tires on vacant lots.
Junked vehicles, Section 9.08.010: junked vehicles visible from the street in residential areas.
Domestic storage, Section 20.14.190: indoor furniture and appliances stored outdoors.

Each of those conditions gives rodents cover. A sofa on a porch, a car that has not moved in a year, or a pile of tires on a lot can hold mice, rats or woodrats. The CDC suggests getting rid of abandoned vehicles or moving them more than 100 feet from the home.

Garbage and weeds in the property code

El Paso's Chapter 18.50 adopts the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code and amends its sections on rubbish, garbage and weeds to point to Chapter 9.04 of the city code. That means the city's own solid waste and nuisance rules set the standard for accumulated rubbish, garbage disposal, garbage containers and weeds on a property.

For rodents, the CDC's container advice is simple: use a thick plastic or metal garbage can with no holes and a tight lid. Rats and woodrats chew through thin plastic and open bags, and an overflowing cart is an invitation.

Getting rid of bulky items and junk

Old furniture, mattresses, appliances and brush piles are some of the best rodent cover in a yard. The city offers two routes.

Special pickup: City of El Paso residents can request a fee-based bulky item pickup from Environmental Services. Put items at the curb by 6 a.m. on pickup day, at least 5 feet from your garbage and recycling carts, without blocking the sidewalk or street. Brush, tree trunks and branches are among accepted items.
Citizen Collection Stations: the city runs five stations that take trash, household hazardous waste, recyclables and bulky items from El Paso residents. They do not take construction and demolition material and are not for businesses or contractors. Bring a current water bill and a valid ID with a matching address. The city lists hours as 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and weather can change the schedule.

If you find a dead animal, bag it and set it at the curb, then request pickup through 311 or Environmental Services. Our 311 guide covers that and how to report a neighbor's yard.

Yard changes that work against rodents

The CDC's seal-up guidance includes a short list of yard rules. They are written for any home, but they fit El Paso well.

Keep compost bins at least 100 feet from the house.
Move woodpiles 100 feet or more from the home and raise them at least a foot off the ground.
Keep grass and shrubs within 100 feet of the home trimmed.
Get rid of abandoned vehicles or move them more than 100 feet from the home.
Use thick plastic or metal garbage cans with tight lids.

On a city lot, 100 feet may be the whole yard. Do what you can: keep stored items off the ground and away from walls, use closed compost bins, and clear the strip along block walls. Bird seed and pet food left outside feed rodents as well as birds and pets, so store them in metal cans and clean up spilled seed under feeders.

Desert landscaping and pack rats

Desert landscaping saves water, but some of it suits woodrats. Texas Tech's Mammals of Texas says cholla and prickly pear are preferred woodrat nest sites, and that woodrats build middens from sticks, cactus joints and rubbish. A large prickly pear clump next to the garage, a rock pile against the house, or stacked pavers behind a shed can all host a midden.

You do not have to tear out cactus. Keep plantings away from the foundation and garage door, clear dead pads and debris from under them, and check for stick piles a few times a year. If you find an active midden, see our pack rat control page.

A yard checklist for El Paso homes

Walk your property once a season with this list. Each item takes away food or cover.

Garbage and recycling carts closed, with no overflow bags beside them
No pet food or water left out overnight
Spilled seed cleaned up under bird feeders, and seed stored in metal cans
Woodpiles and stored lumber off the ground and away from the house
No old furniture, mattresses, tires or appliances stored outside
Cactus beds and rock piles away from the garage door and foundation, with debris cleared underneath
Weeds trimmed in the yard, the parkway and the alley
Fallen fruit picked up, and tree limbs trimmed back from the roof

If rodents are already inside, yard work alone will not move them out. A rodent inspection finds the way in.

Bird feeders, chickens and pets

Feeding animals outdoors feeds rodents too. Hang bird feeders away from the house and clean up seed hulls and spills underneath every few days. If you keep backyard chickens, store feed in metal bins with tight lids and collect spilled feed each evening. Bring pet food and water inside at night, since rodents are most active after dark.

Vacant lots and neighbors

A weedy or trash-filled lot next door can feed rodents into your yard. You can report overgrown weeds, trash and illegal dumping through 311, including anonymously. Code officers then work with the property owner. Seal your own house in the meantime, since a code case does not move rodents that are already living in your walls.

Frequently asked questions

Is it against El Paso code to let weeds grow?

The city's code enforcement page says grass, weeds and uncultivated plants should not be allowed to become overgrown, citing Section 9.04.860, and owners maintain parkways and alleys.

How do I get rid of an old couch in El Paso?

Schedule a fee-based bulky pickup with Environmental Services, or take it to one of the city's five Citizen Collection Stations with your water bill and ID.

How far should firewood be from my house?

The CDC recommends 100 feet or more, with the wood raised at least a foot off the ground.

Do bird feeders attract rats?

Spilled seed feeds rodents. Store seed in metal cans and clean up under feeders regularly.

Can I report a dumping site anonymously?

Yes. El Paso 311 has an anonymous reporting option.

El Paso trash, sanitation and yard rules that affect rodents