With spring finally here, the City of Castlegar is encouraging residents to take proactive steps to prevent wildlife attractants and help maintain a safe, clean, and healthy community.
The city warns that improperly managed garbage, pet food, compost, and fallen fruit can attract animals like rats, coyotes, bears, raccoons, and skunks into residential areas, posing risks to residents and wildlife.
The city has released a number of recommendation to avoid animal encounters.
Curbside garbage and organics carts:
• Store carts in a secure building or enclosure between collection days.
• If outdoor storage is necessary, ensure both clips are locked, and the cart is chained to a sturdy post or tree to prevent tipping.
• Freeze particularly smelly food items (meat, bones, rotten fruit) and place them in your organics cart on collection day.
• If your cart or clips are damaged, contact the city for repairs or replacements.
• Avoid overflowing carts by taking surplus garbage directly to the landfill.
Cleaning your organics cart:
• Line the bottom of your cart with newspaper, a paper bag, or yard waste to absorb moisture and prevent food from sticking.
• After collection, rinse the cart with water over a landscaped area to remove any remaining residue.
• Try natural deodorizers like baking soda, Borax, or vinegar mixed with water to reduce smells.
Collection times:
• Only place carts and recycling containers on the curb with clips unlocked between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. on your collection day.
• Carts and recycling placed after 7 a.m. may not be collected, leaving waste exposed and potentially attracting wildlife.
• Fines may be issued for carts not secured or placed on the curb outside of the designated collection window.
Prevent other attractants:
• Promptly pick all ripe fruit and nuts to prevent them from becoming a food source for wildlife.
• Feed pets indoors and store pet food inside.
• Remove bird feeders during non-winter months when natural food sources are abundant.
• Keep barbecues clean and free of food residue.
• Ensure compost bins are properly sealed and maintained.
• Businesses should keep outdoor grease bins and containers secure.
The city emphasizes, "Managing attractants is not just about preventing nuisances – it’s about coexisting respectfully with the wildlife that shares our environment."
Castlegar's WildSafeBC Community Co-ordinator role will resume later this month. This seasonal position focuses on reducing human-wildlife conflict through education, outreach, and community engagement.
For more information or to connect with the co-ordinator, email castlegar@wildsafebc.com or visit facebook.com/WildSafeBCCastlegar.
For more information on living safely with wildlife, visit WildSafeBC.
