An encounter with a wild bear can be terrifying for hikers or campers. If you plan on going to areas populated by bears, you should bring a bear repellent spray. You can purchase bear repellent sprays at any sporting goods store, but they can be expensive. Fortunately, you can make your own bear repellent using a few ingredients you can purchase at your local supermarket; the main ingredient is pepper. Homemade bear repellent spray offers a simple and affordable method of warding off bears during an encounter.
Items you will need
2 dozen large cayenne peppers
Knife
Mortar and pestle
Saucepan
2 cups clean water
Mesh strainer
Plastic gloves
Spray bottle or water gun
Slice two dozen large cayenne or habanero peppers into small pieces, discarding the stems. Grind them using a mortar and pestle.
Transfer the ground peppers into a saucepan. Pour in two cups of clean water and boil for 20 minutes.
Pour the pepper solution through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or container. Wearing plastic gloves, squeeze out any excess pepper solution with your hands.
Transfer the pepper solution into a spray bottle with a jet setting or a water gun. These types of spray containers will shoot out the solution several feet or more, keeping you a safe distance from the bear.
Warnings
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes or mouth after making the bear pepper spray.
Tips
- Do not blend peppers in a blender; you don't want paste.
References
Tips
- Do not blend peppers in a blender; you don't want paste.
Warnings
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes or mouth after making the bear pepper spray.
Writer Bio
Frank Dioso is a trained medical technologist working for prominent research institutions such as Quest Diagnostics and California Clinical Trials. He has, for many years, ghostwritten clinical trial reports for confidential pharmaceutical drugs and is currently contributing his clinical laboratory science knowledge to online how-to articles.
