Living in our area of Colorado means sharing the beautiful outdoors with a variety of wildlife, including bears. While these magnificent creatures are a natural part of our environment, they can become a nuisance when they rummage through our trash bins. And it can be quite alarming to find a bear looking for food right outside your front door!

As a disposal service company, we’ve heard a lot of crazy stories of people finding bears trying to get their garbage. So, we’ve put together some tips to keep bears out of your trash in Colorado City and surrounding areas.

1. Keep Your Trash Bin in a Garage

One of the simplest and most effective ways to deter bears from accessing your garbage is to store your trash bin inside a garage or another enclosed structure. Bears have an extraordinary sense of smell and can detect food from miles away. By keeping your trash out of sight and smell, you significantly reduce the chances of attracting them to your property.

Why It Works

Bears are opportunistic feeders. If they can’t see or smell food, they’re less likely to investigate. Garages and enclosed structures act as a physical barrier, keeping the scent of trash contained and out of the bear’s reach.

Practical Tips

• Ensure your garage door is always closed, especially at night.
• If you don’t have a garage, consider building a shed specifically for storing trash bins.
• Regularly inspect the structure for any gaps or openings that might allow a bear to gain entry.

2. Build a Small Pen with a Hot Fence

If you don’t have a garage or enclosed structure, consider building a small pen with a hot fence, similar to what you would use for a goat. A hot fence, or electric fence, delivers a mild shock that can deter bears from attempting to access your trash bin. You should ensure that you properly install and maintain the fence to make it effective.

How to Build a Pen

• Choose a location away from your house but within your property boundaries.
• Construct a sturdy pen using materials like wood or metal.
• Install an electric fence around the pen, ensuring it’s properly grounded and safe to use.

Safety First

• Follow all local regulations and guidelines when installing an electric fence.
• Use appropriate warning signs to alert people to the presence of the electric fence.
• Regularly check the fence for damage or malfunction.

3. Invest in a Bear-proof Container

Bear-proof containers are specially designed to resist the efforts of even the most determined bears. Fair warning, these containers can cost you between $300 to $500. But they can offer a robust solution for those living in bear-prone areas. It is important to note, however, that no container is 100% bear-proof. Bears have been known to drag these containers away and sometimes even bend them open. Despite this, bear-proof containers are a valuable investment in reducing the likelihood of bear encounters.

Choosing the Right Container

• Look for containers certified by organizations like the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC).
• Ensure the container has a secure locking mechanism.
• Consider the size and capacity you need based on your household’s waste production.

Additional Measures

• Store the container in a secondary enclosure if possible.

4. Only Put Garbage Out on Curbside Collection Day

To minimize the time your trash is accessible to bears, only put your bin out on the morning of garbage collection day. Leaving trash out overnight can attract bears to your property, leading to potentially dangerous situations. By limiting the exposure time, you reduce the risk of bears discovering and attempting to access your trash.

Why It Matters

Bears are nocturnal and more likely to roam neighborhoods at night in search of food. By putting your trash out in the morning, you reduce the window of opportunity for bears to get into your bin.

Best Practices

• Set a reminder to put your trash out early in the morning on collection day.
• Coordinate with neighbors to ensure everyone in the community follows this practice.

5. Clean Your Trash Bin Regularly

The smell of food residues attracts bears. Regularly cleaning your garbage bin can help eliminate these odors and make your bin less attractive to bears. Thoroughly wash your bin using a bleach solution or another strong cleaner to ensure complete removal of any lingering food smells.

Cleaning Tips

• Use a bleach solution or another strong cleaner to wash your bin thoroughly.
• Make sure to rinse and dry the bin completely to prevent any residual smell.
• Consider using scented trash bags to further mask odors.

6. Use Ammonia or Bear Repellents

Spraying ammonia or commercially available bear repellents in and around your trash bin can deter bears. Bears find the strong smell of ammonia unpleasant, which can discourage them from investigating further. Be sure to reapply these repellents regularly, especially after rain, to maintain their effectiveness.

By following these tips, you can help keep bears out of your trash and reduce the risk of encounters. Remember, preventing bears from accessing human food sources is crucial for their safety and yours.

At Mountain Disposal, curbside collection is just one of our many services. If you need curbside collection, dumpster rental, a roll-off dumpster, or portable toilets, please call us at (719) 489-3456 to see how we can help you.