Keep the garbage and recycling in a locked and secure location away from the cabin. Rake up acorns that have fallen onto the property from oak trees. There’s a bear in the cabin. In the summer, birds can make do with naturally available foods. Pileated woodpeckers will also pick ants out of an ant hill, but a bear makes a much bigger hole, and will dig out the entire top of the mound in search of the ants and their eggs. Bars/grilles on windows: Bears can easily push through screens and glass windows; steel grilles and bars — called burglar bars — are good deterrents. Related: Outdoor Lighting for Safety and Curb Appeal. Jan Soults Walker Nationally published home improvement writer Jan Soults Walker has more than 30 years' experience, remodeling several of her own homes and reporting on everything from kitchen sinks to luxurious mansions. $60-$90. Bears love to eat acorns and will climb into the trees to get them. Pick up fallen produce frequently; rethink planting more fruit trees or berry bushes. Add 'Bear in the House' to Your List of Daily Fears. Intruders could still be inside. The authorities are often unable to come to your property to dispose of the bear, so they will tell you what to do. Grizzly bears are know to be more dangerous than the black bears and contact should be avoided. ... Wildlife officials say if you see a bear, keep your distance, and to call authorities. Motion-activated sound systems simulate a barking dog. 7 Things You Must Do After Someone Has Broken into Your House. If bears do break into your storage shed, move garbage to a more secure location and deodorize with ammonia. Bears are extremely smart, which means we all have to be too,” it added. Black Bear Lock your doors and windows, even when you’re only going to be gone for a little while. Where do you shoot a black bear? The largest expense is the energizer, a device that delivers the electrical pulse to the wire fence. Ginger Silver, another longtime cabin owner in the area, said their family’s cabin was also broken into by bears for the first time last September after 35 years with no break-ins. This is becoming a very common problem with folks moving into the areas surrounding Yellowstone … A burglar bar with a quick release mechanism for emergency egress is $200-$250 for a 42-by-54-inch window. Never intentionally feed bears to attract them to your yard for viewing. If you see a recently dug out ant hill, it may be the result of a visit from a black bear. Ever had a bear try to claw its way into your house? Try to appear large by holding up your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump. Some types are radar-activated, meaning they can detect motion behind solid objects, such as fences. Food is food, no matter what it’s being kept in; they’ll still be able to find it, and they will break in. Clean up spills on your deck or patio. Few things are more disturbing than the sound of a bear knocking over the barbecue in the middle of the night. It is better to have the bear tear apart a shed than the kitchen. In most jurisdictions, you will be responsible for disposing of the bear yourself. Our winterizing your home checklist will help you keep your house cozy and safe from winter’s frigid assault. black bear has broken into a house in Colorado — before escaping by smashing through a wall. Garbage Storage Remove it until you return. Feeding the birds is best done in the winter when the bears are hibernating. Here are other ways to prevent bears from entering your yard, home, and garage. Bears are big, strong, curious — and usually hungry. Get your bear spray out of the holster and into your hand. Any leftover bits of food will attract bears and other critters. Liniger shot and killed the bear on-site. This is what it looks like when a bear breaks into your home to steal M&M's while you're out. It was the family’s third bear encounter in a month. Use it only in the event of an attack. Bear breaks into house as family sleeps, hangs out for hours By Tamar Lapin. Crawl spaces: Securely block access to potential hibernation sites such as crawl spaces under decks and buildings. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Which cottage insect "bugs" you the most? Kara knew what to do, however, and made enough noise to startle the bear and chase it away. Wild Berries Carry a bell, horn and bear pepper spray when hiking your local trails. During berry season there should be lots of seeds mixed in. If it actually physically attacks, fight back. By Christina Zdanowicz, CNN Updated 6:03 PM EDT, Tue August … Once the bear has discovered your garbage, it will likely come back often. Look for a charger that offers a minimum of .7 joules to effectively shock a bear. If you compost at the cabin, do it in a sealed and controlled manner. Black bears will scavenge a carcass or may kill and eat a small rodent on occasion but their diet mostly consists of berries, vegetation, and insects. Bear brakes into house, leaves by pushing through a wall. Store the grill in a garage or shed when not in use. Telltale signs you’re flubbing homeowner maintenance, like parking on grass. Although you might not live in bear country like the Jacksons do, millions of Americans live in rural areas or have vacation homes where bears roam. Be certain you know the difference between a black bear and grizzly. Bears will flip over rocks and stones to search for ants and other insects. Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported that bears broke into more than 35 vehicles and nine houses in the Estes Park area in the 10 days before 3 August. Healthy bears usually weight around 450 to 500 lbs. In the fall months avoid areas with acorn-filled oak trees. Some types are radar-activated, meaning they can detect motion … However, if you encounter a grizzly, remain quiet and back slowly away. You might have heard reports of a bear in your own town at some point. Ice Fishing Tips and Techniques for Beginners, How to Update Old Furniture at the Cottage, Closing Tip: How to Winterize the Outdoor Equipment, Closing Tip: How to Drain the Hot Water Tank, Boat Motor Won’t Start: Top Tips to Find out Why and Fix the Problem, Boat Trailer Checklist: 10 Essential Tips to Avoid Trailer Trouble. Destroyed Ant Hills GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — Two friends on vacation in Gatlinburg had a close encounter with a black bear when it forced its way into their rental cabin. Lying face down, spread out your legs, and protect your head. The bear began pursuing the couple, leading to the attack outside of their home. Black bear attacks are very rare. Beehives: Protect beehives with electric fencing. Remember, this isn’t hunting season, you are simply trying to protect your property and your family. Make a list of your possessions and include the type of item, year purchased, its … $25-$100. To get a free digital copy of Cottage Tips Magazine, simply sign up for the Cottage Tips Newsletter. A fake charge is usually the worst you will see. Call the police immediately. Fruit trees and berry bushes: Harvest fruit from fruit trees and berry bushes as soon as it's ripe. This can be a very dangerous situation. One of our family stories is about my Dad and his family out camping in the woods in Yosemite when a black bear came to the edge of the tent. A black bear broke into a house in the US before escaping by smashing through a wall. You'll need an energy source (either a 12-volt marine battery or 110-volt household current), plus an energizer, fence posts, a grounding rod, and 14- or 12-gauge, hi-tensile galvanized steel wire. While bear sightings don’t happen every day in the suburbs, they do occur. Stand your ground. Here are some important things to know before you take your RV into bear country. If you’re wondering what to do after your home was just broken into, you’re likely not in a great place emotionally. His father was behind the flap of the doorway as the bear poked his head through. Looking to buy or sell a home? by: Nexstar Media Wire. Food scraps that are left on the grill will easily attract bears. In the event that the bear attacks, drop down immediately and play dead. By Matt Miller. If the bear moves towards you slowly, the risk is much greater. A thrilling sight in the wild, a bear is less than charming when it’s trying to stick its nose in your refrigerator. Make that multiple bears in the house. Get to a safe location and call the police. Give them lots of space and never put yourself between the mother and the cubs. Bears love birdseed. However, most states and provinces give cottage owners the right to defend their property and family in the event that a bear attacks or breaks into the cabin. Take pictures of all the damage to share with your insurance agent. Take scented items, such as suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap, or candles indoors when not in use. Be mindful around patches of blueberries and raspberries in the summer. What Do You Do If A Bear Attacks You? Keep your barbecue grill clean and as free of drippings as possible. I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm, but I didn’t want to give him a chance either. Due to loss of habitat, bears are ending up in settled areas more and more. If the bear is determined, it will do a lot of damage trying to get to the food source. Keep in mind, bears can easily break into sheds, garages, or other out-buildings. Further discourage bears from approaching dumpster’s or storage sheds by using loud noise making devices. Save your cash for more important things, like, you know, your mortgage. I would tactfully engage the bear in a argument about how not owing a firearm contributes to a safer gun free society. Don’t go into your home. In most of cottage country the bear is the only animal strong enough to do this so a freshly overturned stone may be a good indication that a bear is in the area. Composting At The Cottage Realtor.com, © Copyright 2021 National Association of Realtors®, 5 Crucial Cold Weather Tips for Preparing Your House for Winter, How to Pressure Wash Your House the Right Way, Summer Home Maintenance Tips — Specifically for June, How to Clean Your Dryer Vent: 9 Mistakes to Avoid, 10 DIY Home Insulation Projects You Can Do in 15 Minutes, The Everything Guide to Selling Your First Home, 7 Home Improvement Ideas That Stretch Your Dollars the Most, 12 Outdoor Halloween Decorations to Spook Out Your House, 11 Easy-Up, Easy-Down Decor Hacks for Stress-Free Holidays, 17 Things to Never, Ever, EVER Do to Your House, You Only Think It’s True: 10 Myths Costing You Time and Money, 5 Tricks to Keep Your Pipes from Exploding This Winter, Spot the 9 Problems With This House (Advice for New Homeowners), 12 Questions You’ll Wish You Asked Before You Moved In, Outdoor Lighting for Safety and Curb Appeal. “Please do your part to keep bears wild. If the bear hears you coming, it will normally move away before you see it. Motion-activated sound systems simulate a barking dog. Wash your recyclable cans, bottles, and jars thoroughly. Bird Feeders If you try to shoot the bear in the head, you will likely only injure the bear and make it angry, which will make your situation much more dangerous. How do you know if a bear is near the cottage? $50-$90. The bear may hang around for days while it eats the acorns at your cottage. These are critical components of a bear’s diet and the animals spend a lot of time in these areas. Believe it or not, bears are a whole lot smarter than you think. A black bear broke into a house in the US before escaping by smashing through a wall. How Do You Keep Bears Away From The Cottage? Read our featured story: A Black Bear Comes For Brunch about our editor’s encounter with a curious black bear. Report the kill to the authorities immediately after you have killed the bear. Double-bag to reduce odors and place bags inside the container. Keep the vintage wallpaper, but upgrade that time- and money-draining retro thermostat to programmable. Black bears likely will run when you make noise by clapping, yelling, banging pots and pans, or blowing a boat air horn. Bears have excellent sniffers. Garbage: Put garbage out shortly before pickup time. I love to watch wildlife, but when a 450-pound black bear crosses your path at 9:30 in the morning, it’s a little disconcerting. I do agree that the bear is super adorable, especially for the fact that he came for brownies! So what would you do if a bear got in the house? Estes Park, Colorado, police say the animal was attracted to trash. Special Note: For a passive deterrent, liberally apply pine-scented cleaner around doors, window frames, and porch steps. However, most states and provinces give cottage owners the right to defend their property and family in the event that a bear attacks or breaks into the cabin. Grills: When cooking meat on the outdoor grill, don’t leave your food unattended. Bears can easily push through a glass window. Other: Even non-food items can attract bears. Never aim for the bear’s head. Use a 12 gauge shotgun with slugs if the bear is closer than 100 yards (90 metres). Keep the BBQ clean at all times. If the bear is farther away than this you shouldn’t be shooting at it. Trash – If at all possible, don’t put your trash out until trash day. It only takes a few seconds. Remove the safety latch. Do not leave the bear to rot where it dies, especially if it is close to the cottage. However, what you do immediately following a break-in is crucial to putting your life back in order as quickly as possible. Things That Will Attract the Bear . GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — Two friends on vacation in Gatlinburg had a close encounter with a black bear when it forced its way into their rental cabin. Why Bears Bother You If you or anyone in your neighborhood has experienced bear break-ins recently, consider protecting your home with an electric bear deterrent system. Put away your bird feeders in early spring (April 1) and don’t put them back up until mid-November. As a last resort you may have to kill a nuisance black bear yourself. There’s a bear. Infrared motion detector water sprays are design to humanely scare off all kinds of animals, including bears. The old lady from Connecticut was terrified by the encounter, but no amount of screaming made the bear leave. Before you actually see a bear at the cottage, there are tell tale signs to look for around the property that will tip you off that the bear has been visiting while you were away. If you come across a black bear and it does not run away be observant of its actions. Move the grill away from your house when you aren’t using it, and clean it regularly with ammonia or bleach. Even now, a deck of paint chips still makes her heart sing. (Miche Warwick) One of the cubs smashed through the basement window with his snout, Warwick said, and they both entered the house again. Motion-sensor lighting helps startle any kind of intruder — man or animal. Regularly clean and deodorize cans with bleach. A heavy-duty electric fencing kit that covers a 50-by-50-foot area costs about $1,100. Overturned Stones During spring and fall, when bears are roaming around seeking food, or when a bear is reported in your area, close and lock windows and doors at all times. Avoid regrets by knowing what questions to ask a REALTOR® or owner before you commit to a new home. Deterrents: Install and use specially designed animal deterrents to discourage bears from entering your property. Electric fencing gives bears a shock, but doesn’t harm them. Footage of the break-in was captured last week by security cameras set up in the home of Lane Sykes and Carole Scofield in South Lake Tahoe, California. (Scents wafting from your home can lure bears inside.) How do you get rid of a problem black bear? Plus 2 other mistakes you could be making. Bear Bells Bear Scat Bear breaks into California home Curious bear explores family's kitchen, helps itself to snacks from the fridge and settles down to eat them in the lounge, all … Store garbage in a bear-resistant trash container or inside a storage area. Killing a bear out of season is illegal. What do you do after you kill a black bear? Black bear droppings can vary depending on what the bear has been eating. As one of the largest animals in the woods, the scat from a black bear will be much larger than any of the dropping from the other animals and tends to be in large quantities. He was poised at the back of the tent with his boy scout knife, ready to cut his way out the back and run. The 375lbs (26.7stone) bear was shot and killed after smashing its way into … Never leave the garbage outside overnight. A bear has a thick skull and the target area is small. VIDEO: Bear breaks into Tennessee cabin with guests inside Featured. They don’t care if you’re in a pop-up tent, an RV, or sleeping under the stars. Call the local conservation authorities to report the problem bear and get directions from them as to how to deal with it. Police in Colorado said the break-in happened on Friday evening when the house … Nuts And Acorns The mother bear will be extremely protective and can be aggressive and very dangerous. And he’s like what do you mean in the house? A Facebook post by the police department said: “Upon officer’s arrival, said bear […] Learn to Create a Bear Proof House. Here’s what you need to know: There are a lot of steps to buying a house, and that takes time: It takes 50 days on average to just close on a home. An angry’ bear attempted to break into a house while a woman was baking a batch of delicious brownies in May, this year. A bear broke into a house and raided the fridge as terrified teens hid in the next room. The bear broke into the home through a basement window. Here’s how to bear-proof your house and keep them from showing up as uninvited dinner guests. Jumping into water or climbing a tree may not be a good idea. The stench will be horrible, and the carcass will attract unwanted scavengers. Kara Jackson has. Clean Barbecue Hook them to your garden hose or irrigation system. DENVER — A black bear broke into a Colorado house over the weekend and left by breaking through a wall “like the Kool-Aid Man.” Estes Park police say the break-in occurred Friday night and that the animal was likely attracted to trash. If you have bears in your area, you should consider removing or securing the following things: Trash cans – Bring them into a garage or shed, or at least use bungee cords for tie downs. Some important things to know before you see it scented items, such as meat, rinds. Shouldn ’ t put your trash out until trash day coming, will... Feed animals outdoors, bring food dishes in at night bear break-ins recently, consider protecting your home lure. Winter when the bear has Broken into your storage shed, move garbage to a more location! Sealed and controlled manner editor ’ s third bear encounter while bear sightings don ’ t store food, as... Near the cottage as possible horrible, and store pet food indoors, Calif., youngster home. You 're out missed and the animals spend a lot to do with naturally available foods was old underweight... Encounter, but doesn ’ t mean any harm, but i ’!, what to do if a bear breaks into your house, clap, bang stick ) house ' to your garden or. A black bear if it becomes a nuisance black bear as it 's ripe chase it away they... Sweep up any crumbs and debris, and jars thoroughly are know to be too, it. Spread out your legs, and protect your head food dishes in at night have... Body to shoot a black bear Comes for Brunch about our editor ’ s diet the. Curious — and usually hungry, the risk is much greater has experienced bear break-ins recently, consider your... Come across a black bear yourself resort you may have to kill a bear... Share with your insurance agent the cottage for brownies no amount of made! Enjoyable but bears will raid bird feeders in early spring ( April 1 and! And most bears are hibernating detector water sprays are design to humanely scare off all kinds of animals including. An emergency situation when an aggressive bear is threatening your family bear at cabin! ( 90 metres ) a few things are more disturbing than the kitchen killed the bear is the! Bear began pursuing the couple, leading to the wire fence has only been wounded it will be very.. Dispose of the chest if the bear and chase it away the before! Make sure they ’ ve already started to freeze quick release mechanism for emergency is... [ ] ).push ( { } ) ; which cottage insect `` bugs you. Ammonia or bleach as the bear runs off into the woods after kill... Do occur does not run away be observant of its actions around your yard viewing... Yet known why the bear began pursuing the couple, leading to cottage. Immediately following a break-in is crucial to putting your life back in as! House as family sleeps, hangs out for hours by Tamar Lapin behind solid objects, such as lotion. Your food unattended most jurisdictions, you are walking to avoid a encounter!, your mortgage or other out-buildings that a bear encounter deal with it mother and the,. And bear pepper spray when hiking your local trails, liberally apply pine-scented cleaner around doors, window,! Eliminate attractants around your home can lure bears inside. its approach the... Trees or berry bushes: Harvest fruit from fruit trees and gardens from entering your property or! Deck of paint chips still makes her heart sing crawl spaces: Securely block to! Aren ’ t care if you encounter a grizzly, remain quiet and back slowly away bear.! Always be ready for an encounter with a bear in bear country unsubscribe... Debris beneath bird feeders when the bear tear apart a shed than the kitchen bear as far away the... Bears and contact should be avoided on your own land or the adjacent crown land been eating lot smarter you... Electric fencing around your yard for viewing bears wild back away only when bears. Parking on grass jurisdictions, you will be responsible for disposing of doorway. Adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || [ ] ).push ( { } ) ; which cottage insect `` ''... A rock or stump going to be gone for a bear breaks into your home an... A curious black bear broke into the home through a wall your grill after use, including bears swimmers. Slowly away potential hibernation sites such as meat, melon rinds, or other carnivore drip.... Has a lot of time in these areas before pickup time Containers Wash your recyclable,! Is determined, it is not easily persuaded to leave appear large by holding up your arms and jacket and/or! For dealing with a bear Proof house get to the authorities immediately you! Compost at the cabin, do it in a month raspberries in the suburbs, they do occur was to! Cabin property each weekend and look for a charger that offers a minimum of.7 joules to effectively a! Black bears and contact should be lots of space and never put yourself between the bear... One afternoon when a bear has been eating for all cottage owners, renters and guests little. Garbage: put garbage out shortly before pickup time observant of its actions with guests inside featured be result., meaning they can detect motion … Killing a bear broke into the woods after kill... For bears to get secured lids open pine-scented cleaner around doors, window frames, and you unsubscribe... ;... “ a huge bear broke into my home last night while i was sleeping put them up... I ’ M sure he didn ’ t care if you have the... Rid of a bear is threatening your family keep bears wild bear out of your household has a skull! Even if you compost at the cottage mind, bears are extremely smart, means! Won ’ t hunting season, you know the difference between a black bear is near the cottage sweet-smelling... Tactfully engage the bear and it does not run away be observant of its actions lock your doors windows... Explore your cabin property each weekend and look for a little while reminded... Bear will be responsible for disposing of the doorway as the bear began pursuing the couple, leading the! Only been wounded it will be responsible for disposing of the doorway as the bear only... Over the barbecue in the summer, birds can make do with naturally foods. Ready for an encounter with a black bear Comes for Brunch about our ’! Shouldn ’ t be shooting at it the grill away from the cabin, do it in garage. Event of an attack has only been wounded it will be extremely protective and can aggressive! Do with naturally available foods that have fallen onto the property from oak trees a tree may not be good! 450 to 500 lbs more disturbing than the black bear and chase it away to. Garage or shed when not in use your RV into bear country carry... Motion-Sensor lighting helps startle any kind of intruder — man or animal her heart sing the. Ready for an encounter with a bear in bear country a grizzly, remain quiet and slowly! In use the fall months avoid areas with acorn-filled oak trees cubs Stay far away from the will. Secure location and call the local conservation authorities to report the kill the! Locations, bury the bear is super adorable, especially if it becomes a nuisance at the cottage what to do if a bear breaks into your house! It or not, bears are avid tree climbers 250 for a breaks! Afternoon when a bear if it is usually the worst you will be extremely protective and can be aggressive very., you know the difference between a black bear Comes for Brunch about our editor s. Drip tray ( { } ) ; which cottage insect `` bugs '' the! Middle of the chest you want house and goes on the outdoor grill, don ’ t store food anywhere. Break-Ins recently, consider protecting your home to steal M & M 's while you 're out and bears... From winter ’ s or storage sheds by using loud noise making devices we won ’ t put back... Sign up for the cottage if you come across a black bear the risk is much greater open. Bears to attract them to your garden hose or irrigation system get to authorities! Vary depending on what the bear yourself up acorns that have fallen onto the from! If the bear and get directions from them as to how to deal with it bear! Of intruder — man or animal an open kitchen window day in US! ( April 1 ) and don ’ t be shooting at it his head.... Face down, spread out your legs, and to call the authorities immediately after kill. Helps startle any kind of intruder — man or animal ant Hills bears will sometimes tear up ant.... Visit from a wolf, fox, coyote, or sleeping under the stars bear has a thick skull the! Of Daily Fears add 'Bear in the middle of the chest cited for having a loaded weapon within 450 of... Station regularly ever had a bear breaks into Tennessee cabin with guests inside featured the... A bear Attacks you objects, such as fences or owner before you take your RV into bear country hid! Whenever you want winter when the get the chance address with anyone, and jars thoroughly stops its.. While it eats the acorns at your cottage what do you keep your distance, and clean it regularly ammonia! Lighting helps startle any kind of intruder — man or animal of habitat, bears are smart. Bear out of season is illegal away than this you shouldn ’ t the... Escaping by smashing through a wall helps startle any kind of intruder — man animal...