Question about where bees will make their hive...

[SPM]

Will bees create a hive where an animal carcass is decaying? For example, if a raccoon died in a tree log, and was in mid-stage decompisistion, would that be an attractive place to make a hive?

I assume bees are like every other animal and are inclined to steer clear of death... but I don't know.

I know it's an odd question, but it serves an academic purpose...

thanks!

-SPM

[PCM]

BEES, I believe would not, however Yellow Jackets [wasps] which look somewhat like bees [ body not hairy ] may,as some hive/nest in trees and are carnivious [ sp ].
Just a guess, I have been wrong before ! :scratch:

PCM

[Troy]

I have seen Yellow Jackets on dead animals, so I agree with PCM. Honey Bees would probably avoid that kind of smell, but Yellow Jackets might actually seek it out.

[Matthias Smith]

I wonder if this doesn't have something to do with the story in Judges, with the honey bees in the Lion carcass? It seems honey bees would leave dead things alone, with the smell and all, though the many honey bee stories I've heard through the years I would never go so far as to assume anything with them....

[Countryboy]

I assume bees are like every other animal and are inclined to steer clear of death... but I don't know.

Many animals are attracted to death. Carrion eaters like vultures, scavengers like opossums, and opportunists who happen to see a free meal.

The smell of foulbrood doesn't seem to bother bees. I would imagine that if the only suitable cavity was near a carcass, they would still accept the cavity.

[beyondthesidewalks]

I assume bees are like every other animal and are inclined to steer clear of death... but I don't know.

The smell of foulbrood doesn't seem to bother bees. I would imagine that if the only suitable cavity was near a carcass, they would still accept the cavity.

I don't believe that bees will steer clear of death. I don't believe that death scares many animals either. I think that the thought that animals steer clear of death is anthropomorphic. Humans seem to be the only creatures that are freaked out by dead things. In my experiences around animals it seems that they don't even pay attention to the dead. The dying is another thing altogether. They will investigate the dying. I've seen bees cover a dead mouse in a hive with propolis and carry on like it wasn't there.

[IBRed]

I butchered 30 chicken a few weeks back, and my bees were very interested. They found something they liked in the bloody water; they were not eating anything just drinking from the table with blood and guts on it. After I hosed everything off, they went away, not being interested in water alone.