How To Keep Bears Away from Bird Feeders

Bird feeders can be an excellent way to attract a variety of beautiful birds to your backyard. But in areas where bears are common, those same bird feeders can become a magnet for unwanted visitors. Bears are opportunistic eaters, and the high-calorie food found in bird feeders is often too tempting to resist. In this in-depth guide, we will explore the strategies and methods you can implement to keep bears away from your bird feeders.

Common Types of Bears and Their Behaviours

The most common types of bears that are attracted to bird feeders are black bears and grizzly bears. These bears are omnivores with a flexible diet, and bird feeders often contain high-calorie foods like birdseed and grains, which are attractive to them. Once a bear has found a feeder, it will keep visiting if it’s consistently filled with food. Over time, their wariness around humans may diminish, leading to potentially dangerous encounters.

Risks and Problems Associated with Bears and Bird Feeders

There are several potential risks and problems associated with attracting bears to bird feeders. These include:

1. Dependency: Bears can become reliant on humans for food, leading to increased human-bear encounters.
2. Increased Aggression: Bears can act aggressively to protect their newly found food source.
3. Property Damage: Bears can cause significant damage to bird feeders, poles, and other structures.
4. Legal Issues: In certain areas, attracting bears with bird feeders can be against local regulations.

Strategies to Keep Bears Away from Bird Feeders

To deter bears from your bird feeders, consider implementing the following strategies:

1. Bring in Feeders at Night: Bears are primarily nocturnal, so removing feeders at night can deter them.
2. Use Bear-Proof Poles: Sturdy poles, securely cemented and at least 10-12 feet high, can make it more difficult for bears to reach feeders.
3. Suspend Feeders from a Wire: This makes feeders harder for bears to reach.
4. Clean Up Spilled Seed: Regularly cleaning up spilled seed can prevent bears from being attracted to the area.
5. Store Bird Seed Securely: Keep extra seed indoors or in bear-proof containers to prevent bears from accessing it.
6. Remove Feeders During Bear Season: In areas with bear populations, it’s recommended to take down bird feeders between April and October when bears are most active.

Bird Feeders Less Attractive to Bears

Choosing bird feeders and seeds that are less appealing to bears can also help. For example, bears find Nyjer and safflower seeds less appealing. Bird feeders can also be suspended from a wire between buildings or sturdy trees, making them inaccessible to bears.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make

Some common mistakes homeowners make that attract bears include leaving bird feeders out at night, not using bear-proof poles, not cleaning up spilled seed, storing extra seed improperly, and providing other food sources in the yard. By addressing these issues, you can reduce the likelihood of attracting bears to your bird feeders.

What to Do if a Bear Continues to Visit

If a bear continues to visit your bird feeders despite implementing these strategies, it’s time to take more drastic measures. Remove bird feeders altogether, install motion-activated lights or sprinklers, use electric fencing around the feeding area, and report the bear to your local wildlife agency.

Remember, it’s important for both human safety and the well-being of the bear population to keep bears away from bird feeders. By implementing these strategies, you can enjoy bird watching without attracting unwanted visitors.