Managing Attractants

Northern Bear Awareness

To reduce conflict in neighbourhoods between people and bears through education, innovation and cooperation.

Managing attractants

Unnatural attractants refer to items that are not usually found in the wilderness and that attract bears into the city, such as garbage, pet food, birdfeeders, compost, fruit trees, etc.

By eliminating or managing the unnatural attractants in your backyard, you can reduce the chance of bear-human conflict.

Here are some tips:

1) Garbage: keep garbage indoors or in a bear-resistant closed shed. Garbage should only be put out by the curbside for pickup on the morning of garbage day. Cleaning your garbage can to reduce odors will also make the container less attractive to bears.

2) Pet Food: pets should be fed inside, or, if they must be fed outside the food should be brought indoors immediately if pets do not finish it. Bags of pet food should be stored inside or in a bear-resistant closed shed.

3) Bird Feeders: birdseed is high in fat and calories, which attracts bears. Make sure birdseed is kept inside or in a bear-resistant closed shed. If you must hang a bird feeder during the summer months, please hang it 10-12 feet above the ground and 4 feet from the trunk of a tree to minimize the chance of a bear being able to reach it.

4) Fruit Trees: make sure ripened fruit is picked from the branches of fruit trees and that all fallen fruit is regularly picked up off the ground. When landscaping, consider non-fruit bearing trees for your backyard. Consider replacing fruit trees in your backyard with non-fruiting trees or use a fruit retardant to prevent fruit from growing.

5) Compost: ensure that your compost is turned regularly (once a week) and that no meat, dairy, fish, un-rinsed eggshells or oils are put into it.

6) Barbeques: keep barbeques clean and, if possible, store inside a bear-resistant closed shed. If not possible, consider purchasing a cover or tarp to reduce odors being carried by the wind and enticing a bear into your backyard.

There are several key tips to follow to eliminate bear attractants in your backyard.

3491 Clearwood Crescent

Prince George, BC

V2K 4R1.

Phone: 250-301-7575

Fax: 250-563-5438