July is one of the busiest times of year for black bear activity in western Nevada, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is seeing an increase in calls involving bears attracted to bird feeders and hummingbird feeders.
While many people think only bird seed attracts bears, hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water can be just as appealing. Once a bear finds an easy food source, it’s likely to return, increasing the potential for conflicts in neighborhoods.
To help keep bears wild and reduce human-bear conflicts, NDOW is encouraging residents to:
- Remove bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders, if bears have been seen in the area.
- Consider planting native flowers instead of using hummingbird feeders to naturally attract birds.
- Add bird baths, water features, native plants, and nesting boxes to create bird-friendly habitat without providing an easy food source for bears.
- If feeding birds with seed, scatter a small amount in the morning so birds can clean it up before evening rather than leaving a concentrated food source overnight.
- Continue securing garbage, pet food, grills, and other attractants around the home.
Preventing access to human food sources is the most effective way to keep bears from becoming comfortable around people. A bear that repeatedly finds food in neighborhoods is more likely to return, creating conflicts that can put both people and bears at risk.
