Does Pine-Sol really deter bears?

Author: Velma Boyer  |  Last update: Saturday, January 31, 2026

To that end, Pine-Sol, one of the more popular household cleaners in the U.S., is an effective way to keep bears away from camp.

Does Pine-Sol keep bears away?

Bears live to eat. If they can smell food, they will attempt to claim it. SPRAY regular pine sol (not lemon or any other scent) on the wood around kitchen windows and doors to help mask the food smells coming from inside. Do this often.

What is the best bear deterrent?

So what's the takeaway? To keep things short, bear spray is very effective at deterring curious bears. It is also effective in windy and cold conditions and on polar bears. When it's windy, sure you might have some irritation, but it'll reach the bear and you'll be safe.

What smell do bears hate the most?

Personal hygiene should be just as important. Bears hate the scent of... pine, witch hazel, citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, and tea tree oil. While unscented deodorant shouldn't be a problem, there are other alternatives that hikers and campers can try... and your idea about tea tree oil is a good one!

What animals hate the smell of Pine-Sol?

Effectiveness: Pine Sol contains pine oil, which is known for its strong scent. This scent can act as a deterrent for certain pests, such as ants, spiders, and cockroaches. However, it may not be as effective against all types of critters.

Bears and pine sol

Where not to use Pine-Sol?

We do not recommend using Pine-Sol® on dishes. It is not approved by the EPA to be used on food-contact surfaces. Is Pine-Sol® safe to use on painted surfaces? We recommend testing a small inconspicuous area before using a Pine-Sol® cleaner on any painted surface.

What smell do animals hate the most?

Top Smell That Dogs Hate
  • Citrus Fruits (such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits)
  • Vinegar.
  • Fresh Herbs (such as basil, mint, rosemary, and thyme)
  • Alcohol.
  • Household Cleaners.
  • Strong Perfumes or Colognes.
  • Mothballs.
  • Nail Polish and Remover.

What scares bears the most?

Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away. To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn.

Does Irish Spring soap repel bears?

I'm naturally curious and opportunistic, and one look at the ingredients of Irish spring reveals two ingredients that I could confuse for food items: sodium tallowate (made from beef tallow) and coconut and palm kernel acid. This all backs up the idea that strong scents of any kind should be avoided in bear country.

How to get rid of nuisance black bears?

To avoid habituating the bears in your area, follow these steps.
  1. Make trash cans inaccessible. ...
  2. Enclose your compost pile. ...
  3. Recycle wisely. ...
  4. Keep your barbecue grill clean and as free of drippings as possible. ...
  5. Rethink your bird feeders.

How do you keep bears away from your house at night?

Keeping Bears Out!

Close and lock all bear-accessible windows and doors when you leave the house, and at night before you go to bed. Replace exterior lever-style door handles with good quality round door knobs that bears can't pull or push open.

Do windchimes scare bears?

Bears have an incredible sense of smell and may mistake these for a scrumptious treat. Install motion-sensor lights around your property to deter bears from venturing too close. Similarly, loud noises like wind chimes or even a radio can help keep them at bay.

Is Lysol a bear deterrent?

It was recommended to place a rag soaked with disinfectant, such as Lysol, on top of your current trash container. The smell helps deter bears.

Are bears attracted to pine scent?

A: No. Peppermint oil actually will attract bears. They don't like heavy pine sects, like Pine Sol. Thank you for your feedback!

What can you spray to keep bears away?

► BEAR SPRAY IS A DETERRENT made of red pepper oil (oleoresin of capsaicin). It inflames the eyes and upper respiratory system. If used properly, it can effectively deter an aggressive bear. ► TREAT BEAR SPRAY LIKE A FIREARM.

Does pee deter bears?

There are some folks, however, who disagree with urine-as-attraction and believe that human urine deters nosey bears. But the majority of experts oppose this view. Two other no-no's that you should be aware of: You don't have to bury urine; and you shouldn't pee on vegetation.

What odor do bears hate?

Some people spread cayenne pepper in and around their camps, believing that the irritants in the pepper will annoy bears that sniff it. Some people place cups of household ammonia around their site. Apparently the odor irritates a bear sufficiently to keep it out of your site. This technique seems to work well.

How do you use Pine-Sol to deter bears?

Secondly, you can place sponges or rags soaked in Pine-Sol around the perimeter of the camping area. The safest and easiest way to do this is to place them in water-proof containers or cans then remove the lids once they are put in place around the campsite.

Do snakes hate Irish Spring soap?

The researchers tested the soap on different species of snakes and observed their behavior in the presence of the soap. They found that the snakes showed no aversion to the soap and continued to approach it without hesitation. These findings suggest that Irish Spring soap may not be an effective snake deterrent.

What is a bear's biggest weakness?

The stocky, insulated body makes them overheat during chases and gives them poor turning ability. They cannot match the agility of specialized predators or potential prey. Digging: The short curved claws that adapt black bears for climbing limit their digging ability.

Does vinegar deter bears?

Ammonia or cider vinegar- soaked cloth in trash can or hung on doors and windows can deter bears. The smell of Lysol and PineSol also repels bears.

What will scare a black bear away?

Big beach balls tossed at bears often scares them off, as do opening and closing an umbrella, shaking a big tarp or garbage bag, or banging pots and pans. If a bear climbs up a tree to escape, yell at it and beat the base of the tree with a baseball bat or heavy stick.

What smell attracts a dog to pee?

What Smells Encourage Dogs to Pee? With dogs' strong sense of smell, they may be encouraged to pee by smelling their own waste as they can determine that it is the right area to go. Ammonia is particularly helpful in replicating the smell of urine.

How long does vinegar smell last?

Well, it depends. If you clean it up right away and treat it properly, you should notice the smell getting a lot better within a day or two. But if you don't take care of it, that smell could hang around for days or even weeks. The type of carpet and how much vinegar you spilled can make a difference too.

What smell drives dogs crazy?

For dogs, citrus scents are the enemy. Citrus scents like lemon, lime, oranges, and grapefruit–especially in high concentrations often found in household cleaners or essential oils–can cause irritation to your pup's respiratory tract, so keep any fresh citrus fruits out of your dog's reach.

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