By John J. O’Dell
I’ve lived in Nevada County since 1965. As a licensed land surveyor and civil engineer, I’ve walked many a mile through the woods, and never have encountered a bear, a few rattlesnakes but no bears. However, as we crowd into their neighborhood, their natural food supplies diminishes and human sources of food becomes attractive.
I remember one of my neighbors waking up in the morning after he had strapped his garbage can lid down, finding his garbage can down the hill with large claw marks on it. His solution, he put the garbage out in the morning on collection date. No more problems.
Here are some tips on dealing with bear problems if you are really worried about it:
Bear are attracted to anything that is edible or that they associate with food. Take precautions by implementing the following ideas:
Garbage problems can be solved with the purchase and correct use of a bear-proof garbage container. Save money by sharing one with a neighbor! For Approved bear-proof containers and where to buy them. click here.
Wait to put trash out until collection day.
Don’t leave trash, groceries, or animal feed in your car.
Keep garbage cans clean and deodorize them with bleach or ammonia.
Harvest fruit off trees as soon as it is ripe, and promptly collect fruit that falls.
Only provide bird feeders outside during November through March and always hang feeders so they are inaccessible to bears..
Keep barbecue grills clean.
Keep pets inside.
Securely block access to potential hibernation sites such as crawl spaces under decks and buildings.
Don’t leave any scented products outside, even non-food items such as suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap or candles..
Keep doors and windows closed and locked. Scents can lure bears inside.
Source: Tahoe Council for Wild Bears
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John J. O’Dell
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9530) 263-1091
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