It is a good reminder that bears are out and about right now, and that it is important to put your totes out as close to pick-up as possible.
Greg McAuley spotted this bear rooting around in someone’s bins this week.
Bears are most active from spring through fall in Squamish.
As the District of note, “bears are opportunistic omnivores and will return time and time again to a readily available food source. However, if the attractant is secured or removed, the bear will move on.”
In particular:
- Always use both locks to secure residential garbage and organic totes at all times.
- Place totes curbside between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. only on collection day and never the night before (as per the Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 2781).
Here are more tips from the District to reduce human-bear conflict:
- Reduce odours by freezing smelly food waste in a paper bag and disposing of the bag on collection day.
- Rinse out all recycling material to eliminate food residue & reduce odours.
- Ensure chicken coops & beehives are surrounded by a well-maintained electric fence.
- It's best not to use bird feeders during bear season (March-December). If you do use feeders, ensure they are at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 10 feet away from trees or climbable structures. Ensure seeds are not accumulating on the ground underneath the feeder by using a catch tray.
- Pick fruit as it ripens and don’t let it collect on the ground.
- Maintain an odourless compost by liming, turning frequently, cutting food into small pieces, layering greens with browns and never adding meat, fish, fats or oils. Always cover food with lawn clippings and browns.
- Consider an indoor worm composter.
- Feed pets indoors and keep all bowls indoors.
- Keep barbecues clean and grease-free by burning an extra 5 minutes after removing food, and remove or clean barbecue tools.
- Move fridges and freezers indoors or lock them.
- Talk to your neighbours about managing their attractants.
For any wildlife attractant bylaw infractions, contact the at 604.815.5067. For wildlife sightings and encounters, please call the Conservation Officer Service 24-hour hotline at: 1-877-952-7277.
