The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is providing guidance to residents on using electrified wires to exclude bears.
Properly installed, electrified wires are the most effective, non-lethal tool to keep people, property and bears safe. When bears touch the wire, they receive a brief electric shock. The shock causes no permanent harm to the bear – or, for that matter, to any people or pets that may touch the wire. It discourages the bear from approaching in that moment and from approaching in the future. Creating a negative association with your property helps teach bears to focus on natural areas and food sources, rather than seeking out food around people and communities.
Electrified wire can be used in a variety of scenarios to discourage bears, including on livestock enclosures, beehives, compost piles, homes and sheds. Electric fencing is the most common application for electrified wire. Standard fencing is not effective in keeping bears at bay. Bears climb trees, so a standard 4-foot or 6-foot fence is easy work for a bear to climb. The electrified wire can be turned off if the area needs to be accessed or if pets or children are around. It can also be installed permanently or temporarily, making it a flexible tool.
“I find myself recommending electric fencing more and more to residents, especially to keep bears out of crawlspaces and under decks,” says NCWRC BearWise® Coordinator Ashley Hobbs.
NCWRC is recommending electric fencing throughout the state as a proactive measure to keep bears moving through communities, rather than sticking around if they are able to access human-provided foods.
“On a weekly basis, I’m recommending electrified wire on the outside of deck railings, crawlspace vents, around garbage carts and through electrified ‘unwelcome mats’,” Hobbs says. “It’s about as close to a guarantee to keep a bear out as you can get.”
Electrified unwelcome mats are another form of electrified wire that can be placed on the ground in front of doors, windows and other entryways. It works by shocking the bear’s paws if it approaches the entryway and steps on the mat. The best part – people can step on the mat with standard, rubber-soled shoes and not get shocked! The electrified unwelcome mats, like any other electrified wire, can simply be turned off when pets or guests are in the area.
One of the most common uses for electric fencing is to keep small livestock safe from bears.
“Bears are quick learners and highly food motivated. Once they discover an easy food source, like a chicken coop, they will come back and visit others,” says NCWRC Black Bear Biologist Jenna Malzahn. “This can be heartbreaking and costly for people and puts bears at risk of harm by food-conditioning bears to humans and livestock.”
Calls about bears killing livestock are most common in the summer and fall months when bears are looking for easily accessible food sources to pack on extra pounds for the winter. Standard coop, pen and barn designs aren’t strong enough to keep out a determined bear. Properly constructed and maintained electric wires around these structures are the best method to keep bears out and keep your animals safe.
Check with your HOA, community or county for any local regulations before installing electrified wires, mats or fencing.
BearWise® is an Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies program dedicated to helping people live responsibly with bears. It offers information and instruction on installing and maintaining electrified wires, mats and fencing. BearWise also offers detailed information on securing livestock with electric fencing.
To learn more about using electrified wires in bear country, please visit BearWise.org and contact NCWRC’s Wildlife Helpline for assistance at 866-318-2401, Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.