DeLand, FL - Black bears in Florida are on the move and Volusia County officials have some reminders and tips on how to deal with them. Lynne Walter, an Administrative Coordinator with Volusia County Solid Waste says there are several things you can do to keep bears away from your property and your trash cans. "The best thing to do is to keep your garbage can secure. There are instructions on Fish and Wildlife's website to retro-fit your garbage can so that you can screw the lid shut." You could also just purchase a bear-resistant trash can from the County. Walter says you can contact the office at 386-943-7889 for purchase but you will have to pick it up at the Tomoka Farms Road landfill and return your old one.
There are many other ways to keep bears away from your trash cans if you don't want to go the bear-resistant trash can route. Walter says there are ways to make your trash less enticing to bears. "Don't leave your garbage unsecured. Rinse and empty all of your food containers and wrappers and then place all of that in plastic bags to seal in the odors."
You can find other ways to secure attractants from bears at MyFWC.com.
