How to Build a Bear-Proof Garbage Box

Bears are very strong and resourceful.

Bears love food. Due to more human population in bear territories, bears have begun to associate humans with food supplies. Keeping bears out of garbage receptacles is a major challenge in a lot of areas. Keeping them out of those receptacles, however, is a huge component of bear safety.

Things You'll Need

• Cement
• Flooring bolts
• drill
• 5/8-inch plywood
• screws
• Latches and hinges
• Metal flashing
• 2-by-4s
• Steel barrel drum
• Locking lids

Instructions

1. Use steel drums or barrels as initial garbage containers. Be sure the lids are kept locked at all times. These barrels should be stored within a sturdy shed, garage or other enclosed structure. Otherwise, use electric fencing around garbage containers. Make a bear-proof garbage box to store initial containers until garbage pickup day.

2. Measure the size needed to house the garbage containers. Pour a cement slab to those measurements, inserting bolts every two feet. Bolts need to be about six inches long, with half of the bolt to be hardened into the cement and half standing out on top of the cement.

3. Build framing for the garbage box using 2-by-4s. Drill holes into the 2-by-4s at appropriate intervals to fit over the bolts in the cement.

4. Attach 5/8-inch plywood to the frame. Use screws instead of nails to make the frame sturdier. Make a plywood door in one side of the shed, using metal hinges and latches to make it more difficult for bears to claw through or pry open.

5. Use metal flashing to cover all seams, corners and other areas potentially vulnerable to claws. A hungry bear will try to pry through to garbage that is smelled within.

6. Test the box for sturdiness. If it can be tipped, pried, clawed or opened in any way other than using the latch, it will not stop a bear. When the box is complete, store bear-proofed garbage containers within. Do not put trash out for collection until the morning it will be picked up.

Tips & Warnings

• Bears have an acute sense of smell. Use means to deodorize garbage to as great a degree as possible.

• In various areas of the United States there are rules concerning garbage bins and storage containers due to bear population. Check out state rules and regulations carefully.

References

• Make Your Property Less Attractive to Nuisance Wildlife
• Tips on How to Keep Bears Out and Garbage In
• Keep Bears Out of Your Trash
• Living With Bears