Black bears are formidable creatures that are common in many parts of California. Unfortunately, they can also be a nuisance if they start roaming around your neighborhood and property.
While it may be tempting to rely on authorities to trap and relocate problem bears, it’s important to understand their behavior and how to keep them out of your home.
Incredible Sense of Smell
Bears have one of the most acute senses of smell of any animal on the planet – they can detect food from miles away. It’s one of many reasons they’re so attracted to human food, especially if it’s easily accessible.
Opportunistic Feeders
This means black bears will eat just about anything if they’re hungry enough. In the wild, their diet consists of berries, nuts, insects, and occasionally small mammals like rodents. Closer to home? Bears who wander into urban areas quickly realize how easily accessible human food sometimes is (plus, it’s another source of calories for them). That’s why bears will often raid garbage cans and even break into cars, homes or businesses if they smell food.
Smart, Curious Creatures
Bears are fearless in exploring new places and trying new things. That’s why they can be so persistent when trying to get into your home. They’ll keep trying different methods until they find a way in, even if it means breaking windows or tearing through walls.
Bears Can Become Habituated to Humans
Bears become habituated when they become too comfortable around humans. In other words, they lose their natural fear of humans and begin to associate them with food. This is dangerous for bears and humans, as it can eventually cause aggressive behavior and fatal conflicts. That’s why it’s essential to take steps to prevent bears from becoming habituated in the first place, like protecting your property with garbage can enclosures.
How to Keep Bears Out of Your Home
Eliminate the things that attract bears if you want to keep them away from your property. Secure your trash cans with bear-resistant enclosures, bring your pet food inside at night, and store your barbecue grills securely. If you have fruit trees or bird feeders, consider removing them.
And if a bear manages to get into your home? Stay calm and avoid direct contact. Open windows and doors to give the bear a way out, then leave the area. Don’t try to confront the bear or chase it out of your home. Instead, call your local wildlife agency for assistance.
Understanding bear behavior is the key to preventing conflicts and keeping bears and humans safe. You can help keep bears out of your life by eliminating attractants and securing your home. Connect with BearStopper LLC today and ask what makes our enclosures so effective.