Visit from bear

[hapinen]

I went to look at my hives this morning when I had a rude awakening - I could only see 1 hive. The other had been toppled, fortunately, the upper and lower stuck together and the bear managed to only pull out 3 frames in the upper with comb and clean them off. I was wondering - what is best for your buck, bear alarm or electric fence? and does anyone have any idea how to deter the visitor until I can get something in place? Now that he knows where there is honey, I'm sure he'll be back.

thanks!

Krista

[11x]

sounds like it is time for a new rug in the den. mabe a BEAR skin would look nice. i know we used to raise chickens and eletric fence was not real expensive. just make shure you ceep the grass\weeds off of it.

[DRUR]

Lead poisoning. It caused them to become extinct here in East Texas, now I read where they are re-introducing them. I tried for years to cause those cottonmouths to become extinct, and I must have made some headway, they put those on the endangered species list.

[SD2522]

Although I haven't had any bear visits, I am running both an electric fence and Critter Gitter alarms (I have 4 around the perimeter of the hive yard). Although I'm not sure how effective the Critter Gitter alarms work, it definately helps alert me when something is trying to visit and usually a little human presence is enough to scare whatever it is away. I also hear tying bacon onto the electric fence (while it is off of course) works well on detering bears. Both I'd recommend (I purchased a solar charger and Critter Gitter from Mann Lake). Although my setup was expensive ($350-$400) it is definately worth it in preventing problems.

[Noelle]

and does anyone have any idea how to deter the visitor until I can get something in place?

thanks!

Krista

My bee mentor has run into this problem a little. He swears by using very heavy duty straps - like a tie down on a tow truck - you can get them at home depot etc. He straps the whole hive together so if it topples it doesn't come apart.

this would buy you a little time to get the electric fence together. of course you still need to check the hive and turn them upright pretty often. Maybe when she doesn't get honey and still gets stings she'll get bored and move on?

good luck
Noelle

[SD2522]

Just another thought... you could try tightly wrapping the hive with poultry netting and using wire ties to secure the netting together, it might apply a little more uniform support for the boxes used along with the ratchet straps. I've gotten 6' rebar, bent the top over to form a candy cane shape and made large stakes, pounded them into the ground and strapped the hives down with ratchet straps during a high wind storm. I'd be impressed to see any animal manage to tear those out of the ground.

[JPK]

You don't know how persistent bears can be......

[franktrujillo]

here in colorado department of wild life provides bear fences free from 1 hive to many hives....you might want to check your state.:D

[SugarBeeCo]

Frank

I'm also in Colorado, but had never heard about the DOW providing fencing for beekeepers. Is that program statewide? Do you have any additional information?


Thanks

[alpha6]

Call the DOW office nearest you from the link below and they will get you the information needed. You will need to fill out a few forms, but they will provide you a fence, charger and instructions on how to construct it. Two things you should be aware of is that some city ordnances prohibit electric fences so check those before going to all the trouble and second the equipment is "loaned" to you by the State of Colorado and you must return it if you give up your hive.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/Mammals/LivingWithBears.htm

[SugarBeeCo]

Thanks for the info! I'll give them a call...