August 16, 2014
Saturday

What you are going through does sound very frustrating. I would like to share our experience and I have some suggestions.

When our kids were in diapers, the bears wouldn't leave our trash alone. We had so many straps on the trash can and the bear didn't care. It ruined our trash can by ripping it open. Many people have heard stories about bears getting into vehicles, garages, climbing over fences and bears breaking in windows to get to food. Even if everyone ties up their trash, the straps can still come off. Also, many of the bears have been raised as garbage bears. It is likely these bears will get desperate. Last year, we know someone who had one of their chickens killed and ate by a bear. We had a bear this year go through our old compost bin. There hasn't been anything fresh put into it for over a year and most of it had turned to soil.

This year, most of our neighbors have been really good at tying up their trash, but we still have had trash drug into our yard. Matter of fact, we have the yard that the bears just love to drag their trash into. It is because there is seclusion and they probably feel more comfortable eating their meal here. How accommodating of us! Yes, we can take some precautions to limit the interactions with bears, but even that is not going to completely stop the bears from dragging stuff into our yard. The best thing we did was embrace the fact we live in bear country and there is not much we are going to be able to do about bears roaming through our yard. The real problem boils down to what can we do about our neighbors trash.

Ok. So what do we do with a neighbors trash? First of all, many people would be mortified to find that their trash is laid out in the open for everyone to see. Our kids have had arguments about who would have to go pick up the underwear that fell out of someone's trash bag. (We bought latex gloves just for the clean up because of the risk it could pose to us). Think of all the other stuff that falls out of trash. It could be a security risk as many people trash very personal items. I highly doubt that their intent is to put their trash in my yard or their habit is to spew it everywhere. Knowing this, I ask myself, what would stop someone from picking up the trash from our yard as they obviously took the time to put their trash in their trash can. Here are some reasons I thought of:

1. Embarrassment. Maybe they are just hoping that one item that was in the trash will not be linked back to them.
2. Unable to locate. It sounds strange, but we have many yards surrounding us. They might notice the trash is missing, but not sure where it went. They may take a look around their yard, but don't feel comfortable looking in other people's yards.
3. Schedule. Maybe the bear got into the trash after they left for work. You might notice the trash before they are even aware of any problem. They might even be running late to wherever they have to go and didn't have the time to pick it up until later.
4. Threat of a fine. Many people can barely make it paycheck to paycheck. If they come forward, a neighbor may turn them in for doing the right thing.
5. Being blamed for everyone's trash. It might be their trash this time, but maybe they realize how easy it would be for the neighbor to keep pointing a finger at them for any stray trash in their yard.
6. Disability. They may need help picking up their trash (or tightening a strap).
7. Not sure it is their trash. They might know that their trash was taken off with, but how do they know that it is their trash in the other yard? If they go into the other person's property it could cause a host of problems including trespassing (refer to 1, 4 and 5).
8. Put your own reason here....

I am pretty confident that our neighbors would pick up their trash, if I knocked on their door and asked them. I know if someone came to us, we would take care of the problem right away. That doesn't help when we are not sure whose trash it is or if they don't know where their trash went. So some things that could help are:

1. Get to know your neighbors. You may get a better feel of what the situation is and they might even be able to help come up with a solution that works for all of you. For example if their schedule is off, maybe you pick up the trash today and they mow your lawn later in the week.
2. Let your neighbors know the bears favorite spot to drag and eat a meal. This will give them a place to look if they know that their trash has been tipped.
3. Find out how much you are willing to contribute to make a change. Maybe you notice a neighbor is missing a strap, would you be willing to give them a strap if it solved the problem? Would you be willing to help them construct something that might keep a bear away from the trash?
4. Team up with some local groups. Sometimes Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, etc will do community projects. Maybe helping creating a bear-proof neighborhood will entice them. Maybe there are some people wanting to learn to build and need projects. Maybe their are some in your neighborhood willing to adopt a street to clean up trash. Maybe you can team up with local businesses and recycle crate and pallet material to build bear proof trash containers. The ideas are endless, but it just takes motivation.
5.Start a fundraiser to specifically help those in need of a different system to house their trash. A little effort now, might save you a lot later. Also, helping out will give you the added benefit to knowing you made a positive difference for you, your neighbors and local wildlife.

Sometimes we are not all blessed with the awesome neighbors like we have. If you realize you have no control over your neighbors behavior and they are unwilling to fix their part of the problem, here are some other ideas you can do:

1. Make your yard less appealing to the bears to dine on your neighbor's trash there. Light up that dark corner and/or put up that fence.
2. Try a motion activated water sprayer. http://www.smarthome.com/6120/Contech-Electronics-CRO-101-Scarecrow-Water-Spraying-Animal-Repeller/p.aspx
3. Try a sound emitting device that deters bears. Apparently, bears are not fans of Justin Bieber so listening to his sound track could help. http://news.optuszoo.com.au/2014/08/06/bieber-scares-bears-fact/ However, if you are not a fan of his either, you could try something like a rattle cord, a frightening device or the Amtek Critter Gitter. http://crittergittersensor.com/ http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/01/0113_010413_frightmachine.html
4. Check out this website for ideas: http://www.bearsmart.com/becoming-bear-smart/home/bear-deterrents

Here is a cool invention that they mention that reeducates a bear from wanting to dig in the trash. It is a dumpster decoy that sprays pepper spray. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60sefdz53fs&feature=youtu.be
It can be ordered through: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Curleys-Critter-Catchers/264111013626296?sk=app_251458316228

And for those that are looking for another way to deter the bears. Here is my own idea (which may or may not work). Try using magnetic window alarms on the trash can lid. The idea being if the lid is opened the alarm will go off. They are really cheap devices and can emit some loud noise for the targeted behavior of the bear getting into the trash. However, I wouldn't rely on the adhesive to stick to the trash can, but secure it with something else. There are many different brands and styles to chose from. Here is just one: http://www.amazon.com/GE-Personal-Security-Window-Alarm/dp/B00178HMCI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_1?ie=
UTF8&refRID=1P2V17RSKEPG5JZZR8E0

Remember these are just some ideas. The problem may seem huge and frustrating, but think of it as a way to test your self-reliance and resiliency. I am sure you can come up with a solution that can work for you and that will make you feel good about yourself too!

I wish you the best.

Amanda Mitchell
Ketchikan, Alaska

Received August 14, 2014 - Published August 16, 2014

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