Did you know that it is a lot easier to keep food away from a wild bear than to teach a bear to stay away from unnatural food that he has learned to enjoy?

The first rule is not to attract bears to areas that are frequented by humans.

Securing food that attracts bears is the best way to do this. This also includes birdseed! Yes, bears do find it very yummy! By keeping food away from bears you keep people safe, prevent property damage, and avoid the unnecessary killing of bears that come into contact with people.

The bottom line: Food and birdseed attracts bears to your property, but here are some helpful tips to keep bears away from your bird feeders:

•Ideally you should avoid using any type of birdfeeder during bear season (September-October). Not only do birds have access to plenty of natural foods during this time, but they really do attract hungry bears.
•Store birdseed securely inside at all times away from open windows or doors. You don’t want to walk in to a bear in your house believe me!
•Instead of hummingbird feeders, plant red or pink native flowers which are known to attract hummingbirds. Feel free to contact CHS for flower ideas.
•Bird baths are a wonderful alternative to feeders that will attract birds to your yard without luring bears into trouble.
•If you intend on feeding birds, hang your feeder well out of reach of bears and away from trees. Yes, bears climb trees too!
•Don’t forget to keep the area under the feeder clean.
•Choose a quality birdseed without millet. Almost all bird seed found under the feeders is millet, which most birds toss out of the feeder because they don’t like it, but bears do! You can also switch to chips of sunflower seeds which will attract birds but leave nothing under the feeder.

VistaScapes is a Complete Home Services division providing Landscape Design, Installation, Maintenance, Fertilization, Sod Installation, Turf Seeding, Mulching, Lot Cleanup, Erosion Control and Retaining walls. Serving Union County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia and Towns County Georgia. For your Home Maintenance needs visit our Complete Home Services website at www.CompleteHomeServicesUSA.com