![backyard-bear.jpg](/media/m0ajsxmq/backyard-bear.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=987&height=551&rnd=132874948299700000&quality=60)
As the weather changes, notes the Vermont Fish & Wildlife department, bears are "already thinking about winter, and are currently in search of easy calories to fatten up." And unfortunately, that environmentally friendly compost pile offers plenty of easy calories. However, there are several things you can do to keep your compost pile without increasing the chances of bear/human conflicts. Hints include:
- Maintaining a compost bin that is as scent-free as possible;
- Adding three parts carbon-rich "brown" materials like dry leaves, straw or ripped-up paper for every part food scraps;
- Turning the pile every couple of weeks and burying fresh food scraps down in the pile;
- Avoiding adding meat scraps to the pile;
- Burying food scraps deeply in your garden (known as "trench composting"); or
- Using a home solar disgester such as the Green Cone or Algreen's Solar Digester.
Of course, it's important to remember that there are many food sources that can draw bears. "If you live where bears are common, your trash and pet food bins must be properly secured, using a bear-proof container if necessary," says Hammond. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department also recommends that bird feeders be removed between April 1 and November 30, and that beehives and chicken coops should be secured with electric fencing in bear country.
For more information on living with black bears, visit the "Living with Wildlife" page at vtfishandwildlife.com.
Image courtesy Vermont Fish & Wildlife