Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We provide practical, science-informed consulting and deterrent installation to help reduce human-bear conflict. Our work includes property assessments, educational outreach, and the installation of non-lethal deterrents to help residents in Southern California foothill communities live safely alongside black bears (and to help keep bears wild!)

No - Wild Neighbor does not perform wildlife trapping, direct handling, relocation, or euthanasia of bears or other wildlife. Our focus is entirely on preventative, non-lethal strategies—such as securing attractants and installing deterrents—to resolve conflicts before they have the chance to escalate.

While there are many options on the market to deter bears, not all deterrents may be effective or used in the best possible way to deter bears (no offense!). Conflict prevention is rarely "one-size-fits-all." With experience as a bear biologist and state wildlife manager, Jessica (founder of Wild Neighbor) possesses a professional, niche skill set and provides proper installation and placement of deterrents (in addition to identifying mitigation measures tailored to your unique property and setup).

No - unfortunately Wild Neighbor is not able to offer bear-resistant trash cans, dumpsters, bins, etc., at this time. However, we CAN discuss deterrent options to better secure or reduce access to your existing trash receptacles.

Residential bear-resistant trash containers must be compatible with your city’s waste hauler’s vehicles in order to open/close properly, and most waste haulers do not allow modifications to standard trash receptables.

Some cities DO offer bear-resistant trash receptacles for residents for a monthly fee (such as Sierra Madre and Monrovia) - contact your city manager’s office or waste hauler to learn more. We also encourage residents to advocate for your city to consider bear-resistant trash receptables!

We specialize in non-lethal electric wiring designed to provide a startling but safe physical and psychological deterrent for bears. The electrified wiring voltage used to deter bears is low-risk to humans, pets, and livestock, as well as fire-safe when installed and maintained correctly. During our assessment, we discuss any safety considerations for your specific property to ensure the system is installed responsibly.

Yes! We install simple exclusion measures, such as crawl space covers, Unwelcome Mats, and/or electrical wiring to prevent bears from seeking shelter beneath raised structures.

We conduct a thorough evaluation of your property to identify "wildlife attractants"—things like accessible trash, beehives, or fruit trees—that might draw bears near. You will receive a customized, in-depth written report that explains Wild Neighbor’s recommended actions for helping prevent conflicts with bears.

Yes! We are a professional LLC and maintain appropriate insurance coverage specifically for handyman services pertaining to the installation of deterrents for wildlife conflict mitigation.

The process begins with you contacting us with your specific needs and level of bear activity! We will provide an introductory consultation (phone call and/or email), and schedule a Site Assessment and/or deterrents installation. Wild Neighbor will document bear activity and attractants to the best of our ability and discuss the best preventative measures for your home, garden, apiary, etc. - contact us today!