FWC ADVISES TO WATCH OUT FOR BEARS

Photo: Gary Bechthold

The FWC is holding a press conference in Lehigh Acres Friday to discuss the rising number of bear sightings in our area. According to the FWC, bears are migrating and when trash and other food items are left out, the bears can easily track the smell from almost a mile away.


To keep bears away from your home and neighborhood, follow these tips:

-Feed your pets indoors or bring in dishes after feeding.
-Secure household garbage in a shed, garage or a wildlife-resistant container.
-Put household garbage out on the morning of pickup, not the night before.
-Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters with metal lids or metal-reinforced plastic lids and lock bars.
-Clean grills and store them in a locked, secure place.
-Remove wildlife feeders, or make them bear-resistant.
-Protect gardens, apiaries, compost and livestock with electric fencing.
-Pick ripe fruit from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground.
-Encourage your homeowners association or local government to institute ordinances on keeping foods secure that would attract wildlife.