file photo Ridgewood PD
Ridgewood Police Have Issued a Bear Watch
There has been a bear sighting in the area of Paramus road and Linwood Ave. If you see the bear Do Not approach and call 9-1-1
Bear-Proofing Your Property
Bear damage due to bird feeders is a very common and growing complaint. Do not begin feeding birds again, until mid-November when most bears have gone into hibernation.
Clean up spilled seed below feeder stations.
Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area until day of pickup. Double bagging and the use of ammonia will reduce odors that attract bears. Freeze food scraps before discarding into the garbage can.
Garbage for pickup should be put outside the morning of collection and not the night before.
A plastic garbage bag alone does not provide enough security. Always place bagged garbage in a secondary container.
Do not place meat or sweet food scraps in your compost pile.
Do not leave pet food or dishes outdoors at night.
Clean up and/or store outdoor grills after use.
Use a bear-proof dumpster, can, or store all garbage in a secure storage area without windows until day of pickup.
Erect portable solar powered electric fences around fruit trees and gardens. Do not allow fruit or vegetables to rot on the ground.
Compost Piles, if you must have a compost pile, enclose it with electric fencing. Don’t put meat, fish,melon rinds and other pungent scraps in the pile. Keep it aerated and properly turned. Add lime to promote decomposition and reduce odor.
Never intentionally feed bears to attract them to your yard for viewing.
I may stop throwing out the garbage after dark.