Electric Fencing:

Electric fencing is extremely useful for areas where a bear attractant exists and cannot be removed such as landfills, orchards and apiaries. Seasonal electric fences have also been used with great success to eliminate human-bear interactions at two high use visitor areas, including a campground, in Lake Louise in Banff National Park (Hal Morrison, pers. comm.).

Factors affecting the effectiveness of electric fences include the type of wire, fence height, and spacing between wires. Overhangs, mats, concrete footing or buried chain link fences at a depth of 1-1.5 m (3-5 ft) prevent bears from digging under or climbing over fences. Electric fences deliver pulsating charges of electricity. For safety, the interval between pulses should not be less than ¾ of a second (Ciarniello 1997).

Electrical considerations include the wire strength and the existence of a reliable fence charger and grounding system (Hunt 1985). The intensity of the electrical charge is also an essential factor determining the success. Long-haired animals require a minimum voltage of 5,000 volts to receive a shock. The voltage can be 10,000 to 12,000 V with an amperage of one or less to deliver a painful shock depending on the grounding system and the total amount of resistance (Wooding et al. 1988, Heuer 1993, Ciarniello 1997). If barb wire is used, its points may better penetrate into the hair of bears increasing the likelihood of shock, but it can endanger people whose clothing might become snagged during accidental contact preventing escape from the charge (Hunt 1985, Ciarniello 1997).

Once a fence has been installed, it is essential that it be properly maintained in order for it to be effective as bears may periodically retest fences. Maintenance includes keeping the chargers working properly and removing weeds and other debris from touching and shorting out the fence. A good grounding rod is also essential.

Portable electric fence units have become fairly inexpensive and simple to erect. Even a backpackers version is available. They have been used by field researchers and hunters for years to successfully deter bears from field camps. A biologist in Minnesota reported good success deterring bears from repeated attacks on beehives by using a temporary prefabricated fence with a charger powered only by D-cell flashlight batteries. The key in this instance was liberally applying foil strips smeared with peanut butter and honey to the hot wires about 20"-24" in (50-60 cm) above ground or at head height for the bears. The strips would be torn off by morning, but the bears respected the jolt they received and did not break down the fence. Solar charged units are also available.

Download instructions on setting up a portable elctric fence.

Researchers have adapted portable fence units to other items that they want bears to stay away from. For example, the "electric lunchbox" is a small picnic cooler that has been fitted with an apparatus adapted from a portable electric fence unit that gives the bear a shock when it tries to remove the bait. In initial tests, the electric lunchbox has caused black bears to run from the area and avoid the cooler when they returned. Chicken coups and even regular livestock fences have been successfully hot-wired to deter bears.

Download instructions on electrifying a cooler or garbage can.

For more information on ordering electric fence products, click here.

Unwelcome Door/Window Mat:

Unwelcome mats are basically boards full of nails pointing up, that are placed in front of doors and windows to discourage bears from entering buildings.

Unwelcome mats are simple and inexpensive to make. The sheet of plywood must be large enough so that a bear cannot lean from one edge and reach the door or window and should ideally extend past the sides of the door or window by 60 cm (2 ft). A 4x4 sheet of plywood would provide minimal protection for a single doorway, while a 4x8 sheet will be needed for most sliding patio doors. Use the thickest plywood possible and galvanized roofing nails with the large flat head. The nails should be long enough to stick out of the wood 2 - 2.5 cm (¾ - 1 in). If the nails are too long and not strong enough, the bears will discover that they can simply bend them over and step on them. The nails should be nailed into the board about 5 cm (2 in) apart so that there is no way a bear can get his paw on the board.

The sheet of plywood also has to be secured so that the bear cannot simply push it out of its way. If it is placed on a wooden surface, a couple of nails pounded through the plywood should secure it. If the mat is placed on dirt, pieces of rebar can be pounded through the corners into the ground to secure it.

Caution tape should be placed around the area of the mat so that people do not accidentally step on the nails.

Scarecrow:

This device is hooked up to a normal garden hose and mounted in the ground. When the motion detector senses movement, the Scarecrow sprays a 3-4 second burst of water and then resets itself. The spray head can be adjusted from 10°- 360° to cover a small or large area and has a 35 ft range for flexibility in placement. The Scarecrow is simple to use, safe and inexpensive.

To purchase: visit SmartHome.com or google "Scarecrow Animal Repeller".

Nuisance Bear Controller:

The NBC is an inexpensive, portable, and adaptable system that can potentially be used in a variety of situations to deter bears from attaining concentrated food sources.

The NBC is powered by two 6-volt lantern batteries, linked in series, which are wired to a 12-volt automobile vibrator coil and condenser. The coil/condenser is mounted and wired to a metal pipe with a metal disk (i.e., trigger plate). The trigger plate is fastened to the top of the pipe by attaching a rubber mat to the center of the trigger plate and then fastening the pipe to the rubber mat. The rubber mat insulates the trigger plate from the metal center pipe (Figure 1). On the inside of the rubber mat and surrounding the pipe is a metal ring that is wired to the coil. When the trigger plate is moved the metal ring contacts the center pipe and activates the NBC by completing an electrical circuit. When activated, the NBC emits between 10,000 - 13,000 volts; activation of the NBC only occurs when the trigger plate is moved, thus batteries are not continuously drained. The NBC's power source can be turned on or off manually or with a timer.

The NBC is easily modified to protect a variety of food sources by adjusting the shape of the trigger plate and the way the unit is mounted. For example, the trigger disk we used in this field test was originally designed for protecting bee-hives (i.e., square top that would cover the top of the hive-see Figure 2) but we easily modified the system for protecting bird feeders. Furthermore, adjusting the thickness of the rubber mat will adjust the sensitivity of the trigger, thus the NBC could be used to protect food from other species like skunks or raccoons by using thinner matting. Field tests of the NBC demonstrated that the device is both effective at deterring bears and reliable in the field (Breck et al 2005). Download report.

A custom made NBC sells for approximately $300 US plus shipping. Order via email: titusone2@juno.com.

Rex Plus Barking Dog Alarm - The Electronic Watchdog
Works to scare off bears or human intruders. Rex is a barking dog who resides in a small box kept on your counter when your not home. He operates by radar and knows when a bear is attempting to enter a house. If a bear comes too close Rex barks viciously and he stops as soon as the bear runs off. He is on guard as long as he's plugged in, barking when the bear is too near and at peace when the bear is gone. The BEAR League in Lake Tahoe tested this unit and says "Rex works great and never needs to be fed, watered or walked." Nonetheless, bears may become acclimatized to the sound over time and may not be deterred from the area; or they may not react at all to a recorded "bark".

To order online, just google "Rex Plus Barking Dog Alarm" or check with local retailers that sell pest control or security products.

Critter Gitter:

The Critter Gitter detects animals moving into an area up to 13.5 m (40ft) away using passive infrared, body heat or motion detection and then emits ear piercing sounds and flashes lights. This detector has been designed to change its sound and light patterns with each intrusion and automatically reset itself.

One of the disadvantages of the Critter Gitter is that bears may become acclimatized to the sound and lights over time and no longer move from the area. However, an advantage is that the device alerts homeowners when a bear is around so that they can take the appropriate action. Keep in mind that the Critter Gitter will be triggered by any animal, including a raccoon, cat, dog, or coyote that passes by the sensor, day or night. This disturbance may not be acceptable to neighbours.

To purchase: contact Kodiak Wildlife Products Inc. Download Cataogue.

Bear Be Gone:

Bear Be Gone has been designed to resemble a garbage can, but the bear receives a shot of bear spray in its face when it tries to take the bait. Thus, Bear Be Gone teaches bears to both avoid both garbage cans and specific areas.

To purchase call: Curley's Critter Catchers Mfg. at 909-592-6626 (CA)

Visual Deterrents:

Flashlights, torches, flashbulbs and other bright lights have been used to deter bears at night, but little information exists in the literature about the efficacy or best methods for these techniques. Residents who are receiving nocturnal visits from bears may be advised to install motion sensitive outdoor lights. At minimum, visual deterrents will serve as a warning that an intruder has entered the property.