It’s the Time Of The Year For Bears, But You Can Prevent Them From Invading Your Yard

It's that time of the year when bears are out of hibernation and there isn't a lot of food for them yet out in the woods.  Until they get the food they want in their natural habitat, they will wander and could very well end up in a tree at Duluth's City Hall or in your yard.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says that there are ways to prevent a bear invasion in your yard.

Here are some tips for avoiding bear conflicts.

Around the yard:

• Do not leave food from barbeques and picnics outdoors, especially overnight. Coolers are not bear-proof.

• Replace hummingbird feeders with hanging flower baskets, which are also attractive to hummingbirds.

• Eliminate birdfeeders or hang them 10 feet up and 4 feet out from the nearest trees.

• Use a rope and pulley system to refill birdfeeders, and clean up seeds that spill onto the ground. Where bears are a nuisance, birdfeeders should be taken down between April 1 and Dec. 1.

• Store pet food inside and feed pets inside. If pets must be fed outdoors, feed them only as much as they will eat.

• Clean and store barbeque grills after each use. Store them in a secure shed or garage away from windows and doors.

• Pick fruit from trees as soon as it’s ripe, and collect fallen fruit immediately.

• Limit compost piles to grass, leaves and garden clippings, and turn piles regularly. Adding lime can reduce smells and help decomposition. Do not add food scraps. Kitchen scraps can be composted indoors in a worm box with minimal odor.

• Harvest garden produce as it matures. Locate gardens away from forests and shrubs that bears may use for cover.

• Use native plants in landscaping whenever possible. Clover and dandelions will attract bears.

• For bee hives, elevate them on bear-proof platforms or erect properly designed electric fences.

• Do not put out feed for wildlife (like corn, oats, pellets or molasses blocks).

 Garbage:

• Store garbage in bear-resistant garbage cans or dumpsters. Rubber or plastic garbage cans are not bear-proof.

• Keep garbage inside a secure building until the morning of pickup.

• Store recyclable containers, such as pop cans, inside. The sweet smells attract bears.

• Store especially smelly garbage, such as meat or fish scraps, in a freezer until it can be taken to a refuse site.

Let's welcome our big hairy friends back from their winter slumber, but hopefully it's from afar.