Living in the Okemo Valley means sharing space with wildlife. This guide gives Ludlow homeowners, condo investors and rental hosts simple, local steps to keep trash, food scraps and outdoor gear from attracting bears. You will find everyday habits, storage options, and a printable checklist you can share with guests or staff.
Why securing trash and outdoor storage matters in Ludlow
Unsecured trash is one of the fastest ways to invite a problem. Bears follow smells. A tipped can or a messy grill can lead to property damage, late-night noise, and upset guests. For short-term rentals, one bad incident can turn into poor reviews and neighbor complaints.
Seasonal homes and condo buildings need clear, repeatable routines. When everyone follows the same plan, you lower risk for the whole street. It is a simple act of community care that helps wildlife stay wild and keeps our neighborhoods calm and safe.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife reminds residents to remove feeders, secure trash and compost, and use bear-resistant options because bear activity has risen in recent years across the state, including our area. Their guidance applies here in Ludlow too. See the state advisory for details at Vermont Fish & Wildlife.
Understanding local wildlife behavior
Bears look for easy calories. The top attractants around homes are:
- Bird seed and suet, including spilled seed under feeders
- Household garbage and food scraps
- Dirty grills and grease traps
- Pet food left outdoors
- Strong-smelling compost or compost with meat
- Chicken feed and beehives
Timing matters. Bears can emerge as early as mid March in some years. Vermont Fish & Wildlife advises taking down bird feeders from mid March through December and keeping trash secured year-round. Predictable routines, like putting trash out only on pickup morning and cleaning grills after each use, cut down on visits.
Sources: Vermont Fish & Wildlife guidance on feeders, trash and attractants at vtfishandwildlife.com and anr.vermont.gov.
Local rules, liabilities and working with town or HOA systems
Every property sits within a local system. In Ludlow:
- The Town operates a Transfer Station at 336 Route 100 South. Current posted hours are Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun 8:00 to 5:00. Permits are required, and residential permits include town-logo bags. Review bag rules, food-scrap handling and fees in the Town’s Transfer Station document at ludlow.vt.us.
- We did not find a posted town ordinance that requires bear-resistant containers for all properties. That can change. Confirm current guidance with the Town Office or Transfer Station staff at ludlow.vt.us/transfer-station.
- HOAs and condo associations often have their own dumpster rules, lock systems and pickup schedules. Follow those rules and share guest instructions before arrival.
For rental owners, clear written trash and outdoor-use rules help prevent nuisance complaints and protect your relationship with neighbors. Post them in the home and in your digital guest guide.
Practical bear-safe trash tips for single-family homes and seasonal properties
Use these steps to reduce smells, secure containers and plan around pickup.
- Choose the right container
- Ask your hauler for an IGBC-certified bear-resistant cart. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee standard is the national benchmark. Several manufacturers offer 64 or 96 gallon carts that meet this standard. Toter recently announced IGBC certification for a 96 gallon automated cart. Ask your hauler which models they support.
- For shared sites or higher volumes, request a bear-resistant dumpster. Vermont DEC’s Bearproof Trash and Food Scrap Containers Guide explains features to look for and lists vendors.
- Store trash the right way
- Keep trash indoors, in a closed garage or secure shed, until the morning of pickup. Standard cans left outside are not enough. This is a core Vermont Fish & Wildlife recommendation.
- If indoor storage is not possible, use a locked, bear-resistant enclosure or cabinet and place the cart inside it between pickups.
- Double-bag smelly waste. Rinse food containers before they go in the bin.
- Freeze meat scraps and bones until pickup morning to cut odors.
- Time your set-out
- Put carts at the curb the morning of pickup, not the night before. Coordinate with your hauler on early-morning windows so you can meet the truck. If you have private service, ask to shift to a morning route.
- Work with your hauler or the Transfer Station
- Using a hauler: call and ask about bear-resistant carts or dumpsters and any service requirements. Vermont DEC maintains a list of haulers that offer bear-resistant options at dec.vermont.gov.
- Using Ludlow Transfer Station: follow the Town’s bag system and food-scrap rules. The posted policy explains what goes in municipal solid waste bags and what belongs in compost, with site hours to plan drop-offs. See the Town’s 2024 to 2025 Fees and Rules at ludlow.vt.us.
- Smell management and cleaning
- Wash trash cans and carts with soap and water. Let them dry completely. Some homeowners use a light cleaner to reduce odors. Keep the area around the bin clean and free of spills.
- Keep lids closed and latched at all times.
- Compost with care
- If you compost at home, use a secure system and reduce odor. Vermont Fish & Wildlife advises a 3 to 1 mix of browns to greens, frequent turning, and never adding meat, bones or seafood. Consider enclosed tumblers. If bears are active, pause backyard composting of food scraps and use drop-off or hauler programs instead. See VTFW’s composting guidance.
- Plan for seasonal cleanouts and guest turnover
- Before closing up for a stretch, remove all trash and food scraps from the property. Do not leave trash curbside or in an outdoor shed.
- For rentals, stock enough lined cans and extra town-logo bags so guests do not overfill containers. Arrange an extra pickup after holidays or heavy use periods.
- Leave a simple instruction card on the fridge. Include where to store trash, when to set it out, and what not to do, like leaving bags on a porch.
- Handle surges and events
- For parties or holiday weeks, ask your hauler for a temporary second cart or schedule an extra pickup.
- If you manage multiple units, consider a locked, shared enclosure with bear-resistant carts or a certified dumpster to keep everything tidy between service days. DEC’s guide shows enclosure ideas.
Helpful sources: Vermont Fish & Wildlife living-with-bears pages at vtfishandwildlife.com and the Vermont DEC container guide and hauler list at dec.vermont.gov.
Secure outdoor storage: sheds, firewood, grills and other attractants
Trash is not the only draw. Tighten up other outdoor items too.
- Sheds and storage: Use solid doors with good hasps and hinges. Store coolers, pet food, bird seed, charcoal and scented cleaners inside. Do not leave these items on decks.
- Firewood: Stack off the ground and away from the house to reduce hiding spots for wildlife. Keep the area neat.
- Grills and smokers: Clean grates, grease trays and drip pans after each use. Cover the grill and, if possible, store it in a secure area when not in season. Vermont Fish & Wildlife reminds residents to reduce grease and food odors around grills.
- Recycling, toys and gear: Rinse recyclables. Put sticky cans or bottles in a closed tote. Bring children’s food-related toys indoors at night.
- Condo or complex sites: Use locked shared storage, secure dumpster enclosures and clear vendor access rules so lids stay closed and latched after service.
Seasonal owner and rental-operator checklist
Use this quick routine with staff, cleaners and guests.
Pre-arrival
- Remove or disable bird feeders mid March through December
- Stock IGBC-certified carts or a locked enclosure and provide extra bags
- Post a one-page trash and grill guide for guests and contractors
During occupancy
- Trash goes out only on pickup morning
- No bags left on decks or in open bins
- Clean grills after each use and store utensils indoors
- No outdoor pet food, ever
Turnover day
- Empty all interior and exterior cans
- Check the yard for spilled seed, food or trash
- Wipe the cart lid and enclosure and relatch everything
Seasonal layup
- Remove all food from the home or store sealed inside
- Take down and store grills, grease cans, bird seed and coolers
- Confirm winter or off-season pickup plan with hauler or plan Transfer Station runs
Working with neighbors, HOAs and local services
Community coordination makes prevention easier.
- Propose bear-resistant upgrades: Bring DEC’s container guide to your HOA meeting and request IGBC-certified carts or a bear-resistant dumpster and a locked enclosure.
- Align pickup windows: Coordinate a consistent morning pickup day for your street or building, and share a contact tree if lids are left unlatched.
- Source vendors: Use the DEC hauler list to request quotes for certified carts or dumpsters. Ask for delivery timelines and any service changes.
What to do if a bear visits or property is damaged
Safety comes first. Keep people and pets indoors. Do not approach or feed wildlife. Let the bear move on.
After the bear leaves
- Secure attractants right away: remove trash, clean spills, lock lids
- Document any damage with photos for insurance or HOA records
- Report repeat visits or damage to Vermont Fish & Wildlife using the Bear Incident Report form so biologists can track activity and advise next steps
- For ongoing issues with coops or hives, VTFW recommends electric fencing with proper voltage and a suitable energizer. Test your fence often. See their fencing tips at vtfishandwildlife.com.
Conclusion: simple habits, safer homes
The most effective steps are simple. Keep trash indoors until pickup morning. Use an IGBC-certified cart or a locked enclosure. Clean grills. Compost wisely or use drop-off options. Share clear instructions with guests and contractors. When we all follow these habits, we protect our properties and help bears stay wild.
If you want help building a property plan, comparing container options, or coordinating with an HOA, our local team is here. Talk to an Okemo Real Estate expert at Mary W Davis Realtor® & Associates for property-specific guidance and trusted local referrals.
FAQs
What kind of trash cart should I buy?
- Ask your hauler for an IGBC-certified bear-resistant cart. Certification is the best proof a cart can resist bears. Vermont DEC’s guide explains features to look for.
When should I take down bird feeders?
- Vermont Fish & Wildlife advises removing feeders from mid March through December. Store seed indoors and clean up any spilled seed.
Is there a Ludlow rule that requires bear-resistant carts?
- We did not find a posted town-wide requirement. Check with the Town Office or Transfer Station for current guidance, since local rules can change.
What if I use the Ludlow Transfer Station instead of a hauler?
- Follow the Town’s bag and food-scrap rules and plan drop-offs during posted hours. Keep trash secured at home until you can bring it in.
How do I protect chickens or hives?
- Use electric fencing with proper voltage and a suitable energizer. Vermont Fish & Wildlife provides setup tips and recommends regular testing.
Who do I call if a bear keeps coming back?
- For safety concerns, contact your local game warden. Also file a Bear Incident Report with Vermont Fish & Wildlife so they can track and advise on next steps.
Helpful links referenced in this guide:
