There’s also no denying that bears are attracted to bird seed, as well as garbage, compost, fruit trees, berry bushes, barbeques, pet food and refrigerators/freezers stored outdoors. Nonetheless, bird feeders are a definite attractant in the plentiful “bear buffet” of our neighbourhoods. As a nature loving resident of bear country, we appreciate that you want to lessen your impact on the environment. Thanks for handling your garbage and outdoor food sources in a bear-friendly manner.
What kind of bird seed do bears not like?
You can try offering types of bird seed that bears aren’t interested in like safflower or nyjer which are less appetizing to bears. This may not attract as many birds, more types of birds will eat black sunflower seeds, but less pests and thieves like them.
Do bird feeders attract bears?
The short answer is yes, bird feeders can attract bears. Bears are notorious for eating from all bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders. Bears have a highly keen sense of smell and may be attracted to your feeders from far away. Does that mean you should stop feeding birds and take all feeders down?
How do you keep bears from eating birdseed?
Be sure birdseed is stored properly in airtight, secure containers, and ideally store it indoors in a sturdy, locked garage or shed that bears cannot enter. Eliminate Other Foods: Bears wandering into yards for birdseed may find other easy foods that tempt them to stay.
How do you attract a bear bear to your garden?
Bears are most attracted to suet and seed feeders, but will also sip at leaking nectar feeders or try feeders where fruit is offered. Instead of offering these treats to backyard birds, offer bitter-tasting safflower seed or Nyjer and plant natural foods instead of feeders.
Can bears smell bird seed?
Wild black bears are normally shy of humans and will stay away from people and their residences. However, readily accessible bird seed “rewards” bears for overcoming their natural fear of humans and makes them likely to return. Even if a bear can't reach your feeder, the sight and smell will still attract them.
How do you feed birds without attracting bears?
Spice Up the Seed: Adding liberal amounts of red pepper to a birdseed mix can discourage bears that don't like the hot flavor, though some bears may become used to the taste over time. Sprinkling pepper over the ground or using vinegar or ammonia on the ground around the feeder can also help deter sensitive bears.
How far can bears smell bird seed?
Another one had thistle seed and two others were suet feeders. These, said Timmins, are simply too high a quality of food (high in fat and protein) for bears to ignore. They can smell it more than a mile away. Natural bear foods during spring and summer are generally high in carbohydrates and low in protein and fat.
Does feeding birds attract bears?
Generally, it is not bird feeders which attract a bear to a backyard, but other things that have an attractive scent such as: BBQ grills, compost piles, fruit trees and pet food. A bear often stumbles upon a bird feeder while pursuing other food sources. But once a bear has found it, the bear will keep coming back.
Will wind chimes keep bears away?
Wind chimes do not have any effect on bears. Bears are more than capable of hearing the wind and rain all around them, so they will ignore your wind chimes, whether they're made from metal or plastic.
What smells will deter bears?
Some sources recommend ammonia-filled balloons covered with honey or peanut butter as a deterrent; theoretically when the bear tries to bite the balloon, it gets a face full of ammonia instead of a treat. But an eyeful of ammonia or bleach is more than a deterrent – it can seriously injure or blind a bear.
Do sunflower seeds attract bears?
Bears are very fond of suet and bird seed, especially black oil sunflower seeds. Bringing feeders in at night doesn't work, because bears will still feed on seed that is spilled on the ground. Bird feeders are just one of the things that can attract hungry bears.
What animals eat bird seed at night?
There are a variety of animals that will eat birdseed at night. In the USA the main culprits are rodents, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, opossum, raccoons, deer, and bears. These animals are opportunistic eaters and bird feeders are an easy food source especially when supplies are scarce.
Do sunflowers attract bears?
Bears quickly learn what they are, the caloric boost they provide and most importantly, bird feeders train bears to come right up to homes. A seven-pound tube of black oil sunflower seed contains over 12,000 calories. Bears find hummingbird feeders attractive as well, as a 32-ounce feeder contains around 775 calories.
Do bears go after hummingbird feeders?
Bears. Ursids are mostly attracted to generic feeders stocked with pungent foods like suet or sunflower seeds. But when bears come across hummingbird feeders, the omnivories will knock them down and snack on the sugar water.
Do peanuts attract bears?
Anything from your picnic lunch (“I only went inside for a minute”) to a sandwich crust, snacks spilled on the ground or even empty peanut shells can attract a bear.
Do black bears eat bird eggs?
Birds and Eggs American black bears will also feed on the eggs of birds. Being adept at climbing trees, the black bears can find the eggs in the nests and the newly hatched birds too young to escape. However, they generally take most of the eggs and young chicks from the nest of ground-nesting birds.
Why are bears attracted to bird feeders?
Bears and Bird Feeders. Bears (and other wildlife) are readily attracted to back yards because of the presence of bird feeders. Bear nuisance complaint records reveal that at certain times of the year, bird feeders are involved in over 80% of the bear problems around homes.
When do bears emerge from their dens?
When bears emerge from their dens in early spring, natural foods are lacking. Bird seed presents an abundant and easily obtained food source. It is also important to remember that residual seed remaining on the ground will attract bears. It should either be removed or treated with a covering scent, such as ammonia.
How many calories do bears eat a day?
Such activities are not in the best interest of the bears or the homeowners. Did you know: A black bear must consume up to. 15,000-20,000 calories per day.
Do bears eat bird seed?
Bears that successfully find bird seed at one home will inevitably approach other homes . If they become accustomed to feeding in yards and around homes and people, they may cause property damage and will likely become chronic nuisances.
Is bird seed good for you?
Bird seed is an easy source of calories. In many cases, bird seed is the food of choice and will be sought out over other natural foods. Bird seed, even in small quantities, is high in protein and fat. It takes less effort to obtain calories from a bird feeder than to forage for natural foods .
Can a bear be near a bird feeder?
This often does not discourage it from spending considerable time near the bird feeder trying to figure out how to reach it. Other residents have attempted ...
Is it illegal to feed a bear?
Feeding Bears is Prohibited. The intentional feeding of bears is illegal. Furthermore, it creates potentially serious problems that ultimately lead to the death of the bear. Some homeowners receive much satisfaction from their bird feeding activities and are reluctant to stop feeding.
Bears are attracted to feeders
Absolutely can bears be attracted to bird feeders, and if so are guaranteed to destroy your equipment in an effort to eat up the contents.
Generic feeders the target
Target of the bird feeders believe it or not is not meat like you would expect carnivore bears to be interested in, but simply the peanuts, seeds or suet is a treat they require.
Can purge hummingbird feeders
Believe it or not, its not only the tasty bird treats all bears would be willing to consume, but your hummingbird feeders are not safe either.
No current anti-bear feeder solution
Unfortunately, there is no genuine way you can keep bears off a bird feeder in your yard, as their sheer size and strength is enough to pull down any feeder on a pole.
Feeders MUST be removed
Due to the bears size and strength, which comes apparent when food is around, they will be guaranteed to completely destroy bird feeders to gain access to its contents.
To conclude
Absolutely are bears attracted to bird feeders and will be after the tasty bird treats contained within the feeders.
What Kind of Bears Live in North America?
When you wake up early in the morning and leave for work, you might notice your trash can has been knocked down. The question is: by what?
What Are Bears Attracted To?
Let’s dive into the meat of this article and talk about what scents bears are attracted to. Here’s a hint – It’s almost all related to food!
Wrapping Up!
Now that you know the ins and outs of what scents attract bears and what you can do to repel them from the scent, you’re sure to have fewer encounters with these massive carnivores.
How to deter bears from eating birdseed?
Spice Up the Seed: Adding liberal amounts of red pepper to a birdseed mix can discourage bears that don’t like the hot flavor, though some bears may become used to the taste over time. Sprinkling pepper over the ground or using vinegar or ammonia on the ground around the feeder can also help deter sensitive bears.
How to protect bird feeders from bears?
The best way to protect bird feeders from bears is to use several techniques so the bears cannot get an easy meal. The harder the food is to access, the more likely it is the bears will leave feeders alone.
What to feed bears instead of feeders?
Instead of offering these treats to birds, offer bitter-tasting safflower seed or Nyjer and plant natural foods instead of feeders. While bears will still investigate many natural sources, especially fruit on berry bushes or fruit trees, they are less likely to linger if feeders aren’t available.
How high should a bear feeder be?
Mount Feeders Properly: Bears will climb poles to reach feeders or may push or lean on poles to knock feeders down. A sturdy, metal pole with the feeder 10-12 feet high is best to discourage bears, but the pole should be secure enough in the ground that it cannot be knocked over or easily uprooted.
What happens if a bear's feeder breaks?
Bears that frequent feeders grow more accustomed to human-occupied areas and are more vulnerable to being hit by cars or accidentally shot.
What happens if a bear doesn't leave a bird feeder?
When Bears Won’t Leave. If a bear becomes a regular guest at bird feeders, it will become dangerous to itself and to humans and pets. All bear sightings should be reported to the proper authorities, and multiple sightings may result in officials attempting to relocate the bear to a wilder, safer setting.
When to remove bear feeders?
Remove Feeders: If bears are a consistent problem, it may be best to remove feeders entirely during the spring and summer (from mid-April to late October, though dates vary based on local bear activity). Birds, of course, will find plenty of ...
Why do we need to plant plants for birds?
Conservationists recommend planting native plants, flowers, bushes, vines, trees and evergreens to provide birds with food and shelter from predators and bad weather. An added benefit for us: native plants are often easier to care for than non-native plants.
Why do birds use Gilbertson nest boxes?
(Photo: Alan Olander) Several species of birds use nesting boxes, and many cavity-nesting birds now depend on them because there are far fewer standing dead trees.
What do hummingbirds need to perch?
Small branching trees and bushes provide perches, shelter and an easy way for you to watch the birds. Adding a colorful windchime or other decoration to your garden will give hummingbirds a place to perch as well.
How to make a dust bath for birds?
Birds take dust baths; you can make a simple dust bath using fine sand surrounded by pavers or landscaping timbers. Position it near cover so birds are safe from predators. Birds don’t have teeth; their gizzards digest food and need grit to work properly.
Can bears destroy bird feeders?
Watching bears destroy your bird feeders isn’t nearly as much fun. You can’t blame the bears; the average seed feeder can hold a whopping 18,000 calories in a handy carry-out container. Hummingbird feeders are like energy drinks for bears. Bears are naturally shy and wary of people.
Take Action!
'Bear-Resistant Bird Feeders'
- Many people feel they can out-smart bears by taking their feeders in at night. This may offer some relief; however, there is usually enough residual seed from daytime feeding to continue to attract bears. Others attempt to place the feeder high and out of reach of the bear. A bear's sense of smell is so keenly developed that the presence of the fee...
Feeding Bears Is Prohibited
- The intentional feeding of bears is illegal. Furthermore, it creates potentially serious problems that ultimately lead to the death of the bear. Some homeowners receive much satisfaction from their bird feeding activities and are reluctant to stop feeding. However, if the bird feeding creates bear problems in the area, a written warning may be issued by DEC Officers. Failure to heed the warni…
More About Reducing Human-Bear Conflicts
What Kind of Bears Live in North America?
- When you wake up early in the morning and leave for work, you might notice your trash can has been knocked down. The question is: by what? Raccoons, opossums, coyotes, and foxes could all be the culprit. Another creature that loves garbage – bears! But we all know there’s more than one kind of bear…so which ones live near you? There are three speci...
What Are Bears Attracted to?
- Let’s dive into the meat of this article and talk about what scents bears are attracted to. Here’s a hint – It’s almost all related to food! Big surprise, right? I mean bears are massive so they must have a massive appetite, right? This is true for bears especially during the spring and summer months when they’re trying to put on fat for the winter. But bears aren’t as big of carnivores as y…
Wrapping Up!
- Now that you know the ins and outs of what scents attract bears and what you can do to repel them from the scent, you’re sure to have fewer encounters with these massive carnivores. Bears play an important role in the ecosystem. The presence of large predators helps balance the pivotal point between predator and prey. Bears also keep smaller predators like coyotes in chec…
References
- Campbell, J. M. (2012, June). The effect of education in reducing bear attractants on cottage properties: Manitoba’s “Bear Smart” program. Forest Policy and Economics, 19, 56-65. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389934112000470 Creel, E. M. (2007). Effectiveness of deterrents on the black bear (Ursus americanus) to anthropogenic[Mast…