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Those living in rural areas close to vast swatches of natural bear habitat may, from time to time, come into contact with the animals. Possessing a sense of smell that is estimated to be seven times stronger than that of blood hounds, bears can be attracted to the scent of household garbage in search of an easy meal. In order to avoid attracting bears it is important to secure garbage away from them until just prior to collection day, taking the cans to the curb the night before or immediately preceding collection. A lucky few may be able to get access to a bear-proof dumpster, but most people in bear country who have trash cans need to keep them locked away. A secure out-building or shed is the best place to keep the cans until collection time. Bears are just too strong to be foiled by weighting down the lid or fitting a lock on the can, they will just tear it apart to get at the trash. Pungent trash should be double bagged to minimize smell and the trash room, and cans should be regularly cleaned and deodorized to eliminate lingering smells. Ammonia soaked rags can also be placed in or around the trash cans to cover the more appetizing smells of waste food in the bags.