What to do with dog poop until garbage day

The short version

For a home in Temecula, the plan is simple. Scoop, bag, tie, trash. Use a sturdy bag, tie it closed and drop it in the black cart. Don't leave it loose in the cart, and don't bury it in the yard.

Science Friday spoke to parasite experts about every option. Their conclusion was that sealed bags in a landfill are probably the most effective way to kill or at least contain fecal parasites. One of them called it "not a perfect solution" because of landfill space, but the best recommendation available (Science Friday).

Which cart in Temecula

The City of Temecula's trash and recycling FAQ says CR&R provides the carts, black is for trash, blue or gray is for recycling and green is for green waste. Only CR&R's carts are collected.

That page does not mention pet waste, so we can't point you to a Temecula line that says dog poop goes in black. We found it spelled out in another Riverside County city: the City of Hemet's refuse page lists pet waste under items for the trash cart and says the black container is for trash. Hemet is a different city with its own program, so treat it as a strong hint, not as Temecula's rule.

If you want it confirmed, call CR&R at 800-755-8112, the number the city lists. The city's general line is 951-694-6444.

Where it does not go

The table below lists the places people try, and what is known about each.

Why it matters outside the yard

The EPA lists "viruses, bacteria and nutrients from pet waste" among the pollutants in urban runoff (EPA). Anything that sits on a driveway, street or lawn edge can wash toward a storm drain with the next rain.

There is a legal side too. Temecula's nuisance code says animal feces has to be removed from a property not less than weekly if it is attracting flies (section 8.12.020(J)). See our guide to dog poop laws in Temecula for the details.

How much you are dealing with

The EPA figure, as cited by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, is that an average dog produces about three quarters of a pound of waste a day (NSRWA). That works out to roughly 274 pounds a year per dog. In a two-dog house, a week of bags adds up to about ten pounds before it ever reaches the cart.

That weight is why a weak bag splitting in the can is a problem you only have once. Double up on bags for older dogs with loose stools, and keep a few extra by the back door.

On walks

The watershed group's advice is to always bring bags and put filled bags in a trash can, never leave them on the roadside. In Temecula it is also the law: section 6.04.220(B) bars leaving a dog's feces on property you don't own. Bags left beside a trail are still feces left on public property.

If there is no trash can nearby, carry the bag home and put it in the black cart.

How to hold it until garbage day

Between cart days you need somewhere to put bags. Use a lidded can you keep just for this, in the shade, away from the house. Tie each bag before it goes in. Empty the can into the black cart before your pickup day and rinse it.

Temecula's rules for the cart itself apply too. Carts go out by 6:00 am on pickup day, no more than 24 hours early, and come back in within 12 hours of collection. The city says carts must be stored out of public view.

On a warm day, a sealed bag in a closed can is far better than an open pile. A pile left for weeks is also what gets rats interested.

When you'd rather skip the whole routine

Picking up daily, bagging, storing and hauling out the cart is a chore. A service takes it off your list. With weekly dog waste removal, a scooper cleans the yard and you only have to bring the cart out on your own pickup day.

For the cost side, see pricing. Plans start at $59 a month for bi-weekly visits, and the first cleanup is free for new customers.

Questions people ask