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Mammals & Birds
Overview
Certain mammals and birds can be pests to honeybees.
- Bears will tear up a hive to get at the honey.
- Deer can knock over the hive when rubbing up against them; particularly the bucks.
- Mice will try to get into the hive, particularly for a Winter home
- Raccoons & Skunks will try to eat the bees.
- Woodpeckers will punch holes through the hive boxes and eat the larvæ & pupæ.
Integrated Pest Management
Control Methods
Cultural
Bears
- Erect an electric fence around the apiary
Deer
- Strap hive to a secure stand
Mice
- Add #4 (¼”) hardware cloth over the entrance reducer’s opening (on the inside).
Raccoons & Skunks
- Set the hive so that it is at least 16” above the ground. This exposes the soft, under belly of the animal to the bees, making it easy for them to sting the pest and ward it off. There are some hive stand? designs on this site.
- Add a carpet tack strip to the hive’s landing board.
Woodpeckers
- Painting the hive bodies helps.
Note: A trail camera can be useful for identifying the actual pest.
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Disclaimer: eMail comments to me at BeekeepingBoK @ Gmail.com. The process of beekeeping can cause injury or be a health hazard unless proper precautions are taken, including the wearing of appropriate protective equipment. |