Keep Bears Out Of Your Trash Cans With This Smart Trick

If you live in an area where bears are active, you know that trash cans are tempting targets for the unruly ursines. Unfortunately, the mess they leave isn't the only problem unsecured trash cans present. Bears that become habituated to human food sources can become nuisance bears that have to be removed, or worse, euthanized. It's incumbent on homeowners to do what they can to prevent this unhappy outcome, including ensuring that the areas outside their homes aren't attractive to bears. A ratchet strap, also called a tie down strap, secures the lid of the trash can. Even if a hungry bear knocks the can over, the contents won't spill.

As humans encroach on bear habitat and as resources for bears dwindle, the chances of bear-human encounters increase. Bears are omnivores with a keen sense of smell. They can detect the smell of food, and other aromas they may think of as food like toiletries and sunscreen, from two miles away. An empty trash can or a cooler you've used for a picnic retains enough of the smell of food to attract attention. Even trash cans left on screened porches aren't safe — a screen is no match for a bear. Campgrounds in bear country use big metal boxes with secure lids to keep bears out of the trash, but this is impractical for most homeowners. A secured trash can is the best way to make sure bears don't visit your property.  Add an extra layer of protection by cleaning the outdoor garbage cans with vinegar regularly.

A ratchet strap is a length of polyester, nylon, or other strong material with a metal device called a ratchet attached that can be used to tighten the strap. When you loop the strap under the bottom of the trash can and over the top, and then use the ratchet to tighten the strap, the lid of the can is snugged tight and can't be opened. If your trash can has a lip around the top, you can skip looping the strap under the bottom of the can by using a ratchet strap with hooks on the ends. Slip the hooks under the lip on either side of the can, laying the strap across the top, and then tighten the ratchet. It's harder for bears to get to the contents of the trash can if they can't tip it over. Once you've secured the lid, use another strap to secure it to a tree or post. This also helps keep trash cans from falling over in the wind.

One study showed that putting your trash cans out in the morning rather than the night before collection reduces the odds of bears rummaging through your trash significantly. But, if bears are still showing up in your yard even after you've secured your trash cans, there might be other attractive food sources in your yard. Birdfeeders, pet food, and livestock feed left outdoors, compost bins with food scraps, barbecue grills, and food left in your car will keep them coming back. Bears may dig up bulbs in the garden or eat the fruit from your trees. Most of these potential problems can be addressed by not making these food sources available.