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Garden Gate:  Bears and Compost  |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 02 2007 : 08:45:32 AM
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| Now that I'm in bear country, can I still compost? I really don't want to put anything on my property that will attract bears. Does anyone else have that problem? |
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Woodswoman
True Blue Farmgirl
512 Posts
Jennifer
Altamont
NY
USA
512 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2007 : 2:53:44 PM
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I'm definitely not an expert on this, but I do live in an area where we get the occasional bear. I've never had them bother the compost-they usually go after the birdfeeders.
I think that part of the key is not to have any fats, grease, meat, etc. in the compost pile.
Good luck!
Jennifer |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2007 : 3:16:44 PM
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I've never had a problem with a bear in my compost, but they do have a taste for strawberries. 
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2007 : 09:56:38 AM
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I have had to take up the bird feeders but since I have Great Pry's they keep those type of animals away from my compost. I do have frieds who put a portable solar fence around theirs to keep bears out of it. I also agree that if there is a clean compost (No cooked foods or meats you will do better and make a better compost away) I would suggest you contact your local wildlife officers and ask for their assistance and also your county extention office - they have seen it all in your area. Good luck and happy composting.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com |
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lilpunkin
True Blue Farmgirl
368 Posts
Texas
USA
368 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2007 : 9:26:22 PM
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I dont know if they will get into your compost, I'm sure they could and would if given the chance. If they want to come, they will. One of the rangers here said that you can take a balloon, fill it with ammonia, and cover it in honey. They lick the balloon and bite it, and when they do they ammonias odors scare them off to never return. So I guess if they do come you could do that.
Lilpunkin
Life isn't measured by how many breaths you take, but by how many moments take your breath away. |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2007 : 9:41:07 PM
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We have bears at our little camp and have to be very careful as to what we take up there. They are getting quite bold and will really tear apart your trash cans ( must have aluminum) if there is any scent they crave. Can you barrel compost? That might be a good deterrent if you need or want to do some food scraps. We only have a small brush/leaf type pile they don't bother too much. Except for the time Mama and babies took a very long nap in it and we had to stay in playing cards for fear of waking or angering them!
with a happy heart |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2007 : 08:53:06 AM
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| Thanks ladies for all the input. I can always count on my farmgirl friends. Never would have thought of a balloon filled with ammonia!! |
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Garden Gate: Bears and Compost |
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Bears and Compost
