Evergreen Meadows Homeowners Association

BEARS 'N BUGS

Mar 27, 2000

With spring just around the corner, it's time we begin to think about the critters and creepys that this season brings. Bears hibernate from November - March. So they are beginning to wake up this month. Their long hibernation is finally over and boy are they hungry! And with our quirky winter weather of warm, cold, and just plain hot on some days, I imagine they will be mighty cranky. Females (sows) of cub bearing age most probably will have given birth to one or two cubs during her hibernation.

Bears will eat anything. So please remember do not leave dog or cat food out overnight, do not leave your garbage cans out any time, do not leave grills out and pay attention to your birdfeeders. Bears learn very quickly where to find "easy pickin's" and just as quickly become "trash" bears. If they are caught, tagged and removed from the area but return, they are not given a second chance. They are destroyed. Let's all be good neighbors to our precious wildlife!

Those pesky pine beetles will just not go away and the epidemic continues. Detecting infected trees between now and May will reduce the costs you may incur later. One can treat infested trees by spraying (should be done between 15 April and 1 July) or by cutting them down. If you choose to cut the infested trees down, remember that the wood, including the trunk, must be covered by plastic in order to kill the pine beetles. Simply cutting the trees down, but allowing the beetles to live will defeat the purpose and continue the problem. Adult beetles begin to fly and infect late July and early August, so it's not too early to start identifying and ridding your property of infested trees! Being alert, aware and active will help ensure that we all will continue to enjoy our beautiful mountain community.