apiguard for bear control?

[bourdeaubee]

I have seen several bears in my area and had an attack on one of my hives this spring. A couple of days ago I saw a 180 pound bear getting into a gas grill 5 feet from a house. This house is only 1/10 th of a mile from my hives.I have apiguard on now and the hives remain untouch.
could it be that the bears dont like the treatment?any thoughts?

[power napper]

Could be that you are lucky! Go buy a lottery ticket while your lucky streak is on!

[JohnK and Sheri]

I suggest you put up an elecric fence ASAP before THIS happens to you.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/142765342/1142774302048587895povUkh
IMO it is just a matter of time, if you have bear in your area.
Sheri

[Hanginin]

You're living on borrowed time. Do not delay in enclosing your hives with a barbed wire enclosure with at least a 6000v electric fence charger and 5strands of wire spaced 10" apart.

[JohnK and Sheri]

>>>Do not delay in enclosing your hives with a barbed wire enclosure with at least a 6000v electric fence charger and 5strands of wire spaced 10" apart.<<<
Wow, you have some bad bears there in NC. We use a three strand electric, you can see it in this picture.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/142765342/2946007080048587895vZlLex Once it is turned on, lol, keeps them out just fine. We disconnect them for winter up here as the bears are asleep but this one woke up a bit before we were ready for him!
Sheri

[MichelleB]

I have a small, fairly remote apiary in bear territory, with electric net fencing and the solar-assisted charger by Premier1. I installed it this Spring. I have found fresh bear scat in the area, (most recently, last week) but (knock on wood) the bears have not crossed the fence.

One must bait the fence fairly regularly. Bacon strips flopped around the fence at bear-nose level is championed by at least one beek I know; I've been using sardines and oil wrapped in pin-perforated tin-foil, hanging every 15 feet or so around the fence. Nose-level because you want to get the bear to sniff the bait first, and get zapped in the tender nose. If you don't bait, some bears will simply charge thru the fence, as the colonies are the first tasty thing they're trying to get to.

Electrified barbed wire works, but lots of folks might be concerned about pets, clueless people/kids and livestock getting snagged and entangled in the wires. (Could happen with net fence, too, I'm sure). But the barbs penetrate deeper into a bear's thick fur.

Another thing I like about my fencing is that it's very visible.

Check out this link. I'm pretty sure I first found it elsewhere on this site.

http://www.nols.edu/resources/research/movies/bearfence_xl.shtml

[MichelleB]

Sheri,

I've heard that once a bear has successfully raided an apiary, they'll be pretty persistent even after a good electric fence has been installed.

Did you have more than your usual bear issues this year after your raid? I mean, after you re-connected the charger? (signs of bear testing the fence, stealing bait, etc.)

To Bordeaubee, I balked at the price of a good charger and the fencing materials, but after investing in even four hives, I decided it was welll worth it. I have NO affiliation with Premier1, but they do have pretty decent packages, EXCELLENT customer service, and their chargers and fence products have made a LOT of goat people (Houdini has NOTHING on goaties) very happy.

As far as Apiguard is concerned, I know what you're talking about--you can definitely smell the stuff from several yards away. Have no idea, though, if it's a bear repellent. Out of curiosity, where have you heard it might be?

[ August 27, 2006, 02:48 PM: Message edited by: Lupine ]

[bourdeaubee]

Lupine, I haven't heard that bears dont like apiguard.I have heard that bears can smell colonies from a long ways away and the bear in the gas grill was very close and very hungry .I could only think that a bee hive produces alot more smell then a grill.I have got some apiguard in my eye and it burned like hell.I'd hate to get it on my tongue.

how much does a cheep fence set up cost?

[JohnK and Sheri]

Lupine,
These pictures were taken two years ago. That year we caught three bears. This big male and a mom and her cub at a yard 20 miles away from the first. For some reason, it was a good/bad year for bears. Last year we didn't have any bear problem, nor this year to date, knock on wood. We have never had a bear return that has been caught and relocated although I am told they will pretty quickly return to their home area. Maybe they associate their capture with the beeyard and steer clear, I don't know. We have not once baited our fences, it is not necessary. The bears will touch the fence with their noses. We have the wide yellow wire so they can see it well. They touch it, like in the video. Excellent video, by the way, Lupine, thanks. Once they touch it, they are gone, or at least back way off. Bears are pretty smart, we have one climb up a tree to get over the fence. We have also, on one occasion, had a bear dig a hole big enough for it to get under at one corner post. Funny, in that case, I think the bear was just curious, once inside it did little damage, knocked over one hive and then left. He never returned either, or at least never dug under again. We didn't catch him, although we put up a trap. Maybe the snoot full of bees was enough of a deterant for that one. We've had a couple wear deep paths all the way around a yard looking for a way in. They must have gone around it hundreds of times to make that kind of path but never went through the fence. We know they are around, we see sign of them all the time, but the fences are great. We would not be in business without them. We have had only maybe 4-5 yards really tore apart in 20 years and with anywhere from 30-40 yards a year. Only once or twice did a bear go through a fence that was installed and working correctly, and once, the one dug under.
As for the price, the Dept of Natural Resources will provide materials for fencing, at least in Wisconsin, and under certain conditions even reimburse for damages.
Sheri

[ August 27, 2006, 03:53 PM: Message edited by: JohnK and Sheri ]

[MichelleB]

Bourdeaubee,

OK, that makes perfect sense. The odor from Apiguard could very easily mask the odor of honey, or at least make it distasteful enough for a bear.

Care to share your BBQ sauce recipe?? smile.gif

As far as cheap fences are concerned, well, actual fencing options are many--but I'd get the best charger you can afford. I've heard rotten things about some of the most commonly available models. I care not to bash those with bad reps, but the Gallaghers have a decent rep. They're often found in farm stores, where (most of the time) you have to get the Premier1 gear online. Google them.

I paid a pretty penny for my setup, but these are the fencing materials I plan to use for my goats for temporary brush clearing in a few years. I wanted to test the product for battery life, solar panel effectiveness, fence duribility, etc. before investing in six times the amount of gear. The tape stuff would work just as well for bees, or more permanent high-tensile (or barbed), which would be cheapest.

Sheri,

As always, your posts are written with lots of detail. One can learn oodles from you--thanks! I'm not a good tracker, but the week after I installed my fence (a rainy Spring) there was a big skiddy spot where it looks like something big did a 180 REALLY, really fast. (Snicker!)

[ August 27, 2006, 05:59 PM: Message edited by: Lupine ]

[MountainCamp]

He will find the hives sooner or later. As far as smelling a colony, that depends on the wind and where he is passing.
Bears are almost a daily event at my home yard. A good fence charger, good ground, and a well baited fence will teach a bear well.

[bourdeaubee]

thanks for the info. but sadly Im a cheap frenchmen and my hives are spred out to much to have a fence. I just take my losses. hopefully the taste of apiguard burns the bears mouth.
(my little reward) :D

[bourdeaubee]

oh buy the way power napper took your edvice and got a scrach ticket and won 20$ thanks :cool: