Can bears smell through ziplock bags?
Jessica Wood
Updated on January 04, 2026
Bears can smell through Ziploc bags. Certain molecules are small enough to squeeze between plastic molecules, so odor can pass through thin plastic, even if the Ziploc bag is airtight.
Are Ziploc bags smell proof from bears?
Yes, bears can smell through Ziploc bags. This is because scent molecules can easily escape the thin plastic of the bags, and also because bears have one of the greatest senses of smell in the entire animal kingdom.Can you smell through a Ziplock bag?
Are Ziploc or Plastic Bags Smell Proof? Nope! Even though plastic sandwich bags have long been used to carry weed, they're nowhere near as smell proof as you need them to be. Anyone who's gotten weed from their dealer in a grocery bag that's been tied up and burnt shut knows you can smell straight through it.Can bears smell packaged food?
Can a bear smell canned food? How about unopened sodas or freeze-dried meals? Yes, yes, and yes. A bear's sense of smell is vastly more sensitive than a human's – any food or beverage, no matter how it is packaged, could attract a bear.Can bears smell through sealed plastic?
Bears can smell through Ziploc bags. Certain molecules are small enough to squeeze between plastic molecules, so odor can pass through thin plastic, even if the Ziploc bag is airtight.Q&A ~ Can Bears SMELL Freeze Dried Food? (S2 Ep3)
What smells will deter bears?
Some sources recommend ammonia-filled balloons covered with honey or peanut butter as a deterrent; theoretically when the bear tries to bite the balloon, it gets a face full of ammonia instead of a treat. But an eyeful of ammonia or bleach is more than a deterrent – it can seriously injure or blind a bear.Are Ziploc bags permeable?
Are Ziploc Bags Permeable? Ziploc makes its plastic bags from low-density polyethylene (or LDPE) plastic film. This type of plastic is permeable to vapors and gases. You might not notice at first, but over time trace amounts of water vapor or gaseous odors can penetrate the plastic film.Are smell proof bags really smell proof?
Are smell-proof bags effective enough to contain odors besides marijuana? A. Yes, if you're carrying around a particularly stinky slice of durian, blue cheese, or pungent spices, a high quality smell-proof bag will still provide smell suppression.Can k9 smell through smell proof bags?
The Problem with Odor Proof BagsGetting back to the bags, the bottom line is odds of contamination are pretty good, and arguing in court that there is no way a dog could have smelled through the odor proof bags will not likely be successful because the prosecutor will have a counter argument.