Q&A for How to Keep Bears Away

Yes. Bears are highly sensitive to sudden lights and will probably be scared off.

Contact your local wildlife officers. They may trap the bear and relocate it. Another option would be to get rid of the chickens.

If your life is in danger, yes.

I sincerely doubt it. We put all our fireplace ash and grill ash/gunk/grease in a pile outside our fence and it was clearly rooted through by bears so it had no effect in repelling them.

No. Mint scents actually attract bears. In Yellowstone, you are required to keep your toothpaste in bear proof containers.

It is very unlikely that a bear will go anywhere near a horse. Small dogs you may have to worry about but bigger dogs will likely frighten the bear away.

Never fight a bear unless it is a life or death situation. Bears are much stronger than people, so if you try to fight one, it will most likely win.

Some might, but humans are not particularly targeted. They may charge if they feel threatened or if you have food that has attracted them.

It doesn't usually work in small amounts, and I'm pretty sure you don't want to carry around an extra backpack full of 100 mothballs to repel bears.

Truthfully, it will depend upon the bear or grizzly. If he has eaten human flesh prior, then playing dead is not going to help. Bear spray is the better solution.

You shouldn't have to put scents around your home to deter bears. Usually, the only reason a bear is going to come close to your home and bother anything is if you leave garbage or food around outside.

Yes, since the bells don't sound like any natural forest noise, and since bears almost always want to avoid people. Many hikers swear by bear bells as a good way to keep from accidentally running into bears.

Yes, a mixture of cayenne pepper and water in a spray bottle will work.

It depends how sturdy the fence is. If it is very sturdy, then most bears will not be able to get in. Other animals might be able to jump it.

No, your urine won't repel black bears.

Use a wire cage or enclosure and get rid of all other attractants like bird feeders, other animals, garbage, and pet food.

You can, but it won't work. Bears will not be deterred by cayenne on the ground.

As long as the cans have been washed out with soap and rinsed well (to prevent attracting bears rather than repelling them), there's a possibility that the noise might startle or confuse a bear. Anything that might cause the bear to be uncomfortable in an area would be a good deterrent: noise, lights, leaving a radio on, etc.

No, that is not safe and is likely to result in being attacked. Also it's generally a bad idea to poke animals with sticks, especially if they're wild.

You can try seeing where the apple falls and then surround the area with a electric fence. That way the bear learns that it can’t get the apples. But bears a pretty smart and will often find a way around unless your fence is super difficult to get through.

Secure your pets, get away as quickly as possible and call emergency services.

If you find bleach or ammonia fumes unpleasant, you can imagine what they smell like to a bear. Bears also dislike the strong scent of pine-based cleaners, but avoid using anything with a fresh, lemony or fruity smell as that is attractive to them. Peppermint scents will keep the mice and rats away and most animals do not like peppermint scents, so it might also keep the bears away––win-win!

Board up the area below your deck with wooden panels that fit well. If they can't get under the deck, then this will prevent bears from occupying the space below the deck.

The bear would probably attack it because it would want to eat the pet or sees it as a threat. But don't worry it's very unlikely to happen.

This might work, but I would advise against it, as the dog might be injured if the bear attacks it.

Yes, although the type of bell doesn’t matter. A large jingle bell is often the simplest option. You can also buy a specific bear bell, but the bear won’t hear it until it’s closer.

Yes. Bear bells will help to prevent bear attacks, as bears will hear the noise and most likely avoid you. Bears do not typically like being around humans. At the very least, the bells should prevent surprises by letting the bear know you are there before he can see you.

Do not go near them! Otherwise, the bear will attack. Get out of the area immediately. The cubs may be cute, but the mother will be very protective.