Bear RepellAnts
Their incredible sense of smell, enables bears to detect odours from 28 to 32 km away. Readily available attractants can be irresistible and entice bears to visit homes or commercial establishments. Visit our, Managing Garbage and Attractants page for a full list of attractants.
If you must store your garbage and compost outdoors, you can make your bins bear resistant. Then chain them to a strong stationary object so they are difficult for a bear to tip over.
Spraying garbage and compost bins with original-scent Pine-Sol may repel some bears from accessing your bins. No formal, peer-reviewed scientific studies prove that original-scent Pine-Sol is an effective or reliable long-term bear deterrent. While strong chemical or pine odours can temporarily mask food smells or briefly startle a bear with a sensitive nose, hungry or conditioned bears are bound to ignore the scent to reach a high-calorie food reward. It’s best to clean bins regularly with original-scent Pine-sol, ammonia or bleach, however these are all toxic to pets and wildlife, so please do not leave them exposed in an open container.
** NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH! THIS CREATES A TOXIC, POTENTIALLY FATAL GAS.
BEAR DETERRENTS around your home
Black bears are very intelligent and innately want to stay out of trouble, but can become increasingly persistent in their quest for non natural foods the more they are successfully rewarded There are a number of measures you can take to deter bears from your property. They are quick learners and have excellent memories; when bears have negative experiences in their search for food they will learn that your property is not an optimal place to find sustenance.
Before using any deterrent, always make sure the bear has a safe exit route. You do not the want the bear to run into people, pets or traffic. As well, if cornered, your actions could be seen as an attack by the bear and it may then lash out defensively.
1) As the first measure, use a firm voice to yell at the bear from a secure place near your home, “GO AWAY BEAR!” or the like, clap your hands loudly and MEAN IT!
2) Fill a soup can with pebbles and tape it shut. Shake the can, bang pots and pans, or, if you have a large beach ball toss it at the bear, open and close an umbrella, or shake a garbage bag vigourously. You can also throw a small rock at the bear but only at the rump-never at the face or head.
3) Yell “GO AWAY!” while flapping a large garbage bag up and down with upheld arms. This unfamiliar sound can be very effective in driving away a bear. WATCH VIDEO
4) A Super Soaker water gun or garden hose can be used to squirt water at the bear’s face. Never squirt bleach or anything else than water at a bear. Sometimes a weak solution (1 part white vinegar to 3 or 4 parts water) can make the experience a bit more memorable for the bear.
5) The Scarecrow is mounted in the ground and hooks up to your garden hose. When the motion detector senses movement, the Scarecrow sprays a short strong burst of water and then resets itself.
6) The Rx Plus Barking Dog Alarm is an “Electronic Watchdog” that projects the sound of a barking dog.
7) The Critter Gitter detects animal movements up to 14 m away using passive infrared, body heat or motion detection and then emits an ear piercing sound and flashing lights.
8) Bear Be Gone is designed to resemble a garbage can. The bear receives a burst of bear spray when trying to access the can.
9) Solar Nite Eyes is a device that deters nocturnal predators.
10) Electric Fencing is a relatively economical and simple way to secure your livestock, bees, apiaries, smokers, fruit trees, etc.
11) Electric unwelcome mat is a great way to deter bears. Use it under windows, in front of doors, by outdoor stairs, gate but it doesn’t harm people or animals. There are some available on line or you can BUILD YOUR OWN.
These commercial products are readily available on line.
We do not recommend the use of bear bangers as they are a fire hazard in dry conditions and can potentially cause harm to a bear, however, a starter pistol can be very effective.
L to R. Super Soaker, Electric Mat, Bear Be Gone, Scarecrow
