Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Do Bears Avoid Ammonia?

I always use the bear boxes to store food while hiking Mount Whitney but after living in a vehicle for a week there is probably enough odor to attract a bear. I have heard that dousing your vehicle with ammonia will tend to keep bears away. After seeing a door peeled back by a bear in the Whitney Portal parking area I'd like to take every precaution.

Any thoughts?

In addition to making sure that you really don't leave food and other aroma causing things (like toothpaste) inside the car, I hear mothballs hanging in a sock just inside the windows work good. It leaves your car needing a breath of fresh air when you return, but at least you are less likely to suffer bear damage. I have also put the moth balls, stuffed in an old sock, at the top of the four tires, but I doubt it is as effective. Also bears can be fooled by square looking things that look like an ice chest, sitting on the floor in the dark. My brother lost a window that way.

whhs, I don't suggest this one for those who don't smoke, but I do and that seemed to deter the bears not only from my car, but also around my tent and gear. If you don't smoke, you can understand the "smellyness" and why the bears wouldn't like it either.

Hi We hear and see alot of things tried to deter the Bears getting into cars, Adding a Smell will most likely draw the Bears to your vehicle , because some one used that smell before , left food in the vehicle and Them the Reward for the bear, so when they smell that odor again they will search that vehicle. Several years ago one person tried chili powder all over the car $2800.00 repair bill, Also we know that once a bear gets food from that area they will be back about 40 times we were told, thats why if you see broken glass in the area don't park there.

Urine , bleach, moth balls, pepper, have all failed, The best example and not a nice one . The bears have ripped open plastic containers full of poop to get the food inside.

Remember, these are bears. Bears are wild animals and do not respond to smells, etc. the same way as we humans do. Ammonia is an odor associated to humans and therefore the possibility of food. Ya gotta think like a bear or something like that. Good luck and if you do try the ammonia, let us know how you fare.