Sunshine, flowers and black bears? How to prepare as sightings ramp up this spring in GA
We all love spring. It means the start of a new season with beautiful, warmer days, plenty of sun and outdoor activities.
It also means that bears are coming out of their winter slumber and a ramp in bear sightings could be just around the corner. One or two may even venture to your driveway or neighborhood.
But before you panic, we’ve got some ways to help you be more “Bear Wise” this spring. It all begins with a little spring cleaning.
Here’s a spring cleaning checklist to keep you and your home safe this season:
Clean up bottles, cans and all trash. Bears will smell and see these, which lead them to come investigate.
Wash garbage cans and containers. This will eliminate old food smells and help keep bears away.
Tidy up patios and decks. If you had a recent cookout or barbecue, you may want to clean your grill, sweep up and throw away any trash that was left behind.
Bring any pet food or containers inside. Dog and cat foods have extra calories and smell delicious to bears, so make sure pet food, bowls and storage bins are secured. It may also be a good idea to clean the area where the pet food was on the ground outside as well.
Take down bird feeders. If birds depend on you for food, simply bring the feeders inside at night and keep the area around the feeders tidy.
Clean your car. Bears will find a soda can or wrapper in a car and go for it, so be careful about food in vehicles. It is best to dispose of all trash in your car or truck. Fruity air fresheners can also attract bears, so skip the scents.
For more information about how to prepare for Black Bears this spring or in any season, visit bearwise.org.
This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 3:49 PM.
