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ELECTRIC FENCING 101
How much energy do electric bear systems consume?
Our electric bear deterrent systems consume very little energy. The energizers typically plug into a 110-volt power outlet, and they use very little energy. The energy uses low voltage and turns it into high voltage onto the wires. Because it pulses energy every 30th of a second, the unit uses very little energy. If you did laundry a couple of times a year, then you used more energy than an energizer would use in a year!
How do electric bear deterrents work?
Electric bear deterrents use an energizer to send a pulsating current through conductive elements such as wire or sheet metal to produce an electric shock when something comes into contact with it. For more information, visit our Electric Bear Deterrents Page.
What is electric fencing?
Electric fencing has been used to control livestock and wild animals since the 1930’s. It was originally invented by Gallagher Electric Fencing to stop a horse from rubbing against a car. For more information, visit our Electric Bear Fence page.
Why do people use electric fencing as bear deterrents?
Homeowners use electric fencing as bear deterrents because it’s a safe, reliable and effective deterrent. It will not permanently hurt a bear, but it will give the bear an uncomfortable shock telling the bear that it is not welcome on your property. This will effectively teach the bears that your home is the grizzly lair, not to be messed with. It is a physical deterrent. Unlike the dog barkers (which are sound deterrent) and Pine Sol and ammonia (which are a smell deterrent). The bears get shocked once and learn that the electric fencing is at your home. Then, the bears will take your home off of their checklist because they know there are a lot of other homes out there unprotected. For more information, visit our Electric Bear Fence page.
ETHICS
Do the BEAR League and local authorities endorse electric bear deterrents?
Everyone supports electric fencing as a safe and effective bear deterrent! By keeping bears out of their trash with humane but effective deterrents, you are helping keep Tahoe bears wild.
HOMEOWNER TIPS
There’s a bear in my house!
If you find a bear in your house, make sure you are not in its exit path. Also, be sure to make noise so it knows you are present.
There’s a bear in my yard!
If you see a bear near your property, make it feel unwelcome. Make noise, use an air-horn, and throw things near it to chase it off.
How do I operate my bear box?
If you have a bear box, use it properly. Always make sure the door is closed and locked properly, and never leave your key in the door. If all your trash won’t fit inside, don’t leave it next to the box – take it to town and use a dumpster.
Remove scented items
When you leave your home for extended periods, remove the knobs from your gas stove, turn your water off, and remove all your cooking oils – this will help avoid catastrophic damage to your home.
Add dead bolts
Add extra dead bolts or latches to your doors – this will remove the ‘play’ & add strength to your doors.
Leave the radio on
Leave a radio in your home on talk radio – this may make a bear believe somebody is present. Don’t turn the radio up too loud – make it seem like somebody is having a conversation in the home.
Bird Feeders
If you have a bird-feeder, make sure it is not accessible to a bear.
Don’t leave food in your vehicle
Never leave any food in your vehicle (or anything that may look like food). Always lock your doors and close the windows.
Clean your grills
Clean your BBQ grill and grease trap after every use. Always turn off the gas to the BBQ. If it gets knocked over it can cause a gas leak.
Lock your doors
Always shut and lock every door and window, every time you leave your property. Bears are opportunists, and they look for easy ways in – once they get in, they will return.
Keep your property clean
Keep a very clean property – trash around your house is an attractant.
INSTALLATION
Can I install an electric bear fence myself?
It is highly recommended that you have a professional install the electric bear fence. However, some people are handy enough to do the install themselves. When thinking about doing an install like this, it is recommended that you thoroughly research it. There is a lot to keep in mind when trying to keep bears out of your home with electric fencing. For example, spacing the wires out properly so that a bear will hit both hot and ground wires and having the proper height over windows and doors to protect them. Also, it is important to use the right products that will ensure the bear will not get into your home and not get entangled in the wires.
When thinking about doing an install yourself, keep in mind that the number one failure of an electric fence is improper grounding of the system. Also, keep in mind local building codes and proper signage for local residents and first responder teams and informing your local fire and sheriff department of your install.
SAFETY
What happens if our kids/pets touch the bear fence?
If a child or pet touches both the hot and ground wires, they will be shocked. It will hurt for approximately 10 minutes, but it will not be debilitating, leave a burn mark or kill them. Because electric fencing has low current and pulsates, it can’t kill or permanently hurt humans or pets. The one exception is people with pacemakers.
Are your bear systems dangerous?
No, they are not dangerous. The voltage being sent through the wires is high, but the current or amplification (amps) is very low. A 110-volt shock will hurt just as much as a 10,000-volt shock, as long as the current or amps are the same. Amps or current are what kills. Electric fence energizers put out high voltage (around 8,000 volts), but very low amperage or current (around 120 milli-amps). This is 120-thousands of an amp. It should not even kill a squirrel.
The energy pulses through the wires. This means every 30th of a second it sends a pulse of electricity. The reason for the pulsating current is that if the wires are touched and deliver a shock, whatever touches it has a chance to remove itself. If the current did not pulse like most electrical appliances (example: hair dryer, radio, toaster, etc.), then whatever touched it would continue to be shocked until the power went out or something pried them off.
With low amps and a pulsating current, electrical fencing is a safe product.
