Bears, Bears, Bears

November 21, 2014 by trudilee

By Tim Hauserman

Bears, they seem to be everywhere these days. Wandering around in the woods, crossing the highway, or unfortunately being scared out of the next door neighbors house after trouncing the place. And cubs, lots of cubs. It used to be bears would have one baby, now it’s common to see two and three little cuties following their mom through the neighborhood.

Bears are always looking for food. And they don’t discriminate. They will eat anything. Roots, berries, bugs and grubs are what they are supposed to be eating, but many of them over the last 10 or 15 years have acquired a taste for the same stuff we like to eat, or throw away. They like what you have in your refrigerator, in your pantry, in your garage and in your garbage can. Bears have an amazing nose, an incredible desire for calories, and a pretty ingenious ability to open doors and windows. Once they get into your house, they can inadvertently damage anything that is between them and food. And if they truly enjoy the food you have supplied, they may leave a little…no actually a large…smelly present on your carpet.

In other words, you do not want a bear in your house. Here are a few tips to keep them at bay:

Don’t ever, ever feed a bear. Anything. Anywhere.

Keep pet food away from bears. Feed them your pets inside, or bring the food indoors at night.

Lock all doors with deadbolt locks, keep windows closed, and curtains drawn when not in your home (bears recognize refrigerators).

Install a bear proof garbage container and deposit garbage in it on a regular basis, instead of keeping garbage and it’s smells in your house.

When you see a bear, make sure they understand they are not welcome. Throw rocks, yell and scream, shoot off nautical horns. Paint ball guns are another option.

If away from your home for extended periods, consider installing an electric fence to prevent entry. One zap from the current usually is enough to make them scurry away. Contact wiredforbear.com for an estimate and installation.

Help your neighbors! If you see a bear in your neighborhood, chase it away. Part of the problem is people like seeing bears, and so bears get comfortable around humans. Do not let that happen. Get them back in the woods where they belong.