It's summertime and the living is easy...unless you are a black bear looking for food.
Natural foods are harder to come by for bears in the dry summer months, so it's a good time for human/bear encounters as hungry bruins search for a meal.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is advising homeowners and others of ways to discourage bears from becoming a nuisance.
It's easier to avoid attracting bears in the first place than to get rid of them once they are used to hanging around, DEC said.
The wildlife agency offers these tips to keep your summer livin' easy and bear-free.
- When camping, keep food out of sight and secured in a vehicle if one is available.
- Do not feed birds through the summer. Birds don't really need supplemental food this time of year when their natural food is most abundant.
- Dispose of garbage as frequently as possible. Store it in clean, secure containers (top-latched, tied or chained).
- Do not leave dirty diapers or diaper pails outside.
- If you live in an area frequented by bears, periodically disinfect or scrub garbage cans with Lysol, ammonia or bleach & water, store your garbage cans in a secure place such as a garage, cellar or a bear-resistant container, instead of a porch if possible.
- If your garbage is picked up at the curb, put the garbage out just before the scheduled pickup or place it in a roadside bear-resistant container.
- Feed pets and store foods indoors.
- Remember that the smell of cooked foods may attract wandering bears closer to your house. Clean up after your picnic or barbecue.
- For more tips on avoiding bear problems, go to dec.ny.gov/animals/6995.html