HARRISBURG — With Pennsylvania's roughly 15,000 black bears looking for food, sightings are always common at this time of year.

Food for bears is naturally scarce in the spring until vegetation begins to green up. But bears emerging from dens need to find something to eat after fasting for several months, prompting human-bear conflicts to increase.

Here are five suggestions that could prevent attracting bears to your property:

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Play it smart. Do not feed wildlife. Food placed outside for wildlife, such as corn for squirrels, may attract bears. Even bird feeders can become "bear magnets." If you do chose to feed songbirds, avoid foods that are particularly attractive for bears, such as sunflower seeds, hummingbird nectar mixes or suet. Bring feeders inside at night or suspend feeders from high crosswires so they are at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet from anything a bear can climb, including overhead limbs.•

Keep it clean. Don't put out garbage until pickup day, don't throw table scraps out back, don't add fruit or vegetable wastes to your compost pile and clean your barbecue grill regularly. If you have pets and feed them outdoors, consider placing food dishes inside overnight.•

Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay calm and don't approach it.•

Eliminate temptation. Bears that visit your area are often drawn there. Neighbors need to work together to reduce an area's appeal to bears.•

Check, please! If your dog is barking, or cat is clawing at the door to get in, try to determine what has alarmed your pet. But do it cautiously, using outside lights to full advantage and from a safe position, such as a porch or an upstairs window. All unrecognizable outside noises and disturbances should be checked, but don't do it on foot with a flashlight. Black bears blend in too well with nighttime surroundings, providing the chance for a close encounter.More information on bears is available at www.pgc.state.pa.us.