Bears can do extensive damage to single hives and entire apiaries. They are well known for overturning hives, smashing hive bodies, devouring brood and honey, and scattering frames and hive debris up to 50 yards away from the hive site. There are few effective methods for creating bear-proof hives once the bears have a taste for honey and know where to find it other than keeping the hives in a bear-proof building. However, this is generally unpractical.
Things You'll Need
Paint
Electric fence
Show More
Instructions
1
Apiaries are best situated away from bear habitat.
Pick a location for the hive that is away from known bear routes and areas that bears typically frequent.
2
Painted hives can offer some camouflage against their background.
Paint the hive boxes in colors that blend into the background.
3
An electric fence is the most effective of all bear deterrence.
Install an electric fence around the entire hive site or apiary. Single strands of wire should be spaced at 6- 8 inches apart to a height of 4 feet.
4
Surplus hive debris left around the apiary attracts bears.
Remove all surplus honey, wax and hive debris from the site every time maintenance is carried out on the hives.
5
Overgrown vegetation around the electric fence can cause a short.
Maintain the electric fence to prevent failure. Regularly remove all vegetation that touches the electrified wire.