Photo: Susan Kehoe (Shutterstock)
Last weekend, a Connecticut man went inside his house after doing some yard work only to see a wild black bear had taken up residency in his kitchen. The homeowner, Bill Priest, knew exactly what to do. This is because the same bear had previously broken into his garage refrigerator merely one weekend earlier. Although black bear attacks on humans are rare, it’s reasonable that you wouldn’t want one milling about your home. But what exactly are you supposed to do if you come home from work one day only to see one of these 500-pound creatures sprawled out on your futon?
How to bear-proof your home
The best way to get a bear out of your house is to not give it a reason to have come into your house in the first place. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, bears really only will ever enter a home for one reason—they’re looking for food: “Like the famous cartoon character Yogi Bear, black bears are quick to take advantage of food left out by people. Black bears forage on garbage, bird seed, dog food, and other food items commonly found around homes and businesses.” It’s recommended if you live in bear country to buy special trash containers to keep bears from being able to detect the scent of your garbage. According to a USDA study, areas that deployed bear-resistant trash containers saw 60% less bear conflicts compared to those who used regular trash bins.
Additional guidance from the Colorado Department of Wildlife includes keeping a close eye on any and all entry points in your home. The department writes, “Many bears that enter homes do so through an unlocked or open window or door. Close and lock all bear-accessible windows and doors when you leave the house, and at night before you go to bed.” Other important factors include making sure there is nothing with an odor in your car, such as candy, gum, air fresheners, trash, lotions, and lip balms. They additionally recommend replacing exterior lever-style door handles with round door knobs that bears can’t pull or push open, as well as putting on talk radio when you leave home (the human voice startles most bears).
What to do if you’re face-to-face with a bear
What to do when you come face-to-face with a bear depends on where exactly the encounter occurs. If you see the bear in your yard or driveway, Colorado Parks & Wildlife recommends confronting the animal with noise: “If a bear comes into your yard or close to your home, do yourself and the bear a big favor, and scare it away. A confident attitude plus loud noises like a firm yell, clapping your hands, banging on pots and pans, or blowing an air horn sends most bears running.”
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If you actually encounter a bear inside the home, the recommended plan of action is very different. Colorado Parks & Wildlife says, “If a bear enters your home, open doors and windows and make sure it can leave the same way it got in. Don’t approach the bear or block escape routes.” They also caution you to never approach a bear that’s entered your home. If the bear does not leave on its own accord, you should call your local animal control agency. If the bear presents an imminent threat to you or anyone else, call 911.
