Do your part to keep bears wild by cleaning up backyard attractants
Each spring, after many months with no food and water, black bears emerge from winter dens and immediately begin feeding on grass and flowers. Once their digestive system has “woken up” from their winter slumber, they begin their search for more high-calorie meals. It isn’t uncommon to see a bear in developed areas where they are drawn to attractants like garbage cans, pet food, or birdseed.
Black bears may be present nearly anywhere in Washington, including suburban areas and greenbelts near towns and neighborhoods. Washingtonians have a responsibility to take simple precautions to help avoid conflicts that can put both people and wildlife at risk.
People may be tempted to feed black bears or allow them to forage on their lawn or landscaping, thinking they are helping the bears. This can be especially true when people see female bears (sows) with their young (cubs). The truth is, wildlife don’t need our help, and feeding wildlife can cause more harm than good. Adult females that become habituated to human food may teach that behavior to their cubs, leading the cubs to grow up reliant on “human food” instead of being equipped to survive in the wild. Once black bears know about an unnatural food source, they keep coming back and can lose their fear of humans.
A pound of birdseed provides 1,700 calories, compared to only 600 calories from a pound of blueberries. Imagine how many calories are in your garbage can!
Taking steps to prevent conflicts now can pay dividends in the future.
Never attempt to provide food for black bears or allow them to be comfortable around people — this can lead to problems for both bears and people. (Not to mention, it’s against the law!) If an adult bear is habituated to unnatural food sources, even long-distance relocation attempts are rarely successful. WDFW will not attempt to relocate or remove habituated black bears unless human-provided attractants in the area are removed. Removing human-provided food sources is the best way to encourage bears to move along and lower the chance of human-black bear conflicts.
Black bears are naturally wary of humans but can overcome their fear when people reward them (intentionally or unintentionally!) with high-calorie food sources. Did you know they can smell food from over a mile away? With both temperatures and black bear activity increasing, we’re asking for your help to secure unnatural food sources and reduce potential black bear encounters.
Please take a moment to survey the outside of your home and remove common black bear attractants.
Follow these tips to prevent attracting bears to your home and to avoid negative wildlife interactions this spring:
- Never intentionally feed bears or other backyard wildlife.
- Always keep garbage cans in a garage or a sturdy building until collection day.
- Take down seed, suet, and hummingbird feeders when bears are active in your area. Keep in mind that, in some areas of Washington, this could be year-round.
- Clean up fallen fruit or other possible attractants around your home.
- Remove pet food from wildlife-accessible areas and feed your pets inside.
- Thoroughly clean barbecue grills after each use and store them in a secure building.
- Cage and electric fence your domestic fowl and livestock pens.
- Avoid storing food in your car.
If you see a black bear on your property, stay at a safe distance and make as much noise as possible to try to deter it away. Visit the WDFW website for more information on what to do if you encounter a black bear.
Be BearWise at vacation rentals, too! If you are traveling and staying in a vacation rental, remember that trash pickup may not occur until days after your stay ends. Pack out your garbage and dispose of it at a proper facility, and encourage the property owner to share this guidance with future tenants.
WDFW responds to a variety of situations involving black bears every year, and most are due to human-provided attractants leading to preventable encounters. We often speak with residents or leave a flyer reminding them to secure or remove garbage and other attractants. Remember that feeding or negligently attracting black bears or other large wild carnivores is illegal in Washington under RCW 77.15.790 and other state laws. Secure or remove bear attractants or face fines of up to $1,025.
Washingtonians can reduce conflicts and protect themselves, protect their property, and protect wildlife by securing unnatural food sources. Please visit the WDFW website to learn how you can do your part to keep bears wild.
Visit bearwise.org for more resources and information about living responsibly with bears.
