Bears aren’t a guest complaint you can solve with better communication, and if you manage a short-term rental in a rural or mountain market, unsecured trash can turn into a neighbor problem fast.

In this episode of STR Problems, Strong Solutions, Jeremiah answers a listener question from a self-managing Airbnb owner dealing with bears knocking over trash, frustrated neighbors, and the reality of being two hours away when it happens. We break down what vacationers reasonably expect, and how rural trash collection differs from suburban norms.

You’ll learn what actually works to keep bears out of trash, including bear-proof cans, dumpsters, reinforced sheds, and garage strategies, plus what fails every time. Jeremiah also explains how to design systems guests can understand, why instruction matters more than rules, and how simple tools like QR codes and short video walkthroughs can prevent repeat issues.

This episode covers the real operational decisions hosts must make, cost versus reliability, aesthetics versus practicality, and how to think long-term when you can’t be there to fix it yourself. If you’re managing an Airbnb in bear country, this is required listening.

Topics covered:

• Bear-proof trash solutions that actually work
• Why guests aren’t “careless,” they’re on vacation
• Costs, learning curves, and long-term reliability
• What trash collectors will and won’t do
• Cleaner expectations and when to charge for help
• Systems that protect your property and your neighbors

If trash, wildlife, or distance is creating stress in your STR operation, this episode will help you minimize chaos and maximize control, without expecting guests to think like locals.

Chapters

• 00:00 Welcome to STR Problems, Strong Solutions
• 06:18 Reliable and Sustainable Solutions
• 13:38 Reinforced Sheds and Bear Boxes
• 23:00 Engaging Cleaners and Networking with Contractors
• 38:16 The Importance of Addressing Garbage Issues