How to Protect Your Apiary from Varmints, Livestock, and Wild Animals
Beekeepers, often think of pests as Varroa mites, small hive beetles, and wax moths, but pests can also include wildlife and livestock. While these are not daily threats to honey bees, they can be significant in certain areas, and knowing how to manage them is key to successful beekeeping.
Bears and Honey Bees
In some regions, North American black bears are a serious threat to honey bees.
These large mammals are known to raid hives in search of brood and honey, often returning repeatedly to the same hive. Once a bear has found an apiary, it can devastate an entire colony, leaving nothing but a debris field behind. Beekeepers dealing with bears invest heavily in bear-proof fencing to protect their hives. While electric fences are common, bears' thick hides can sometimes push through, making good fencing a challenge. However, it remains the most effective option to protect the hive.
Livestock and Honey Bees
While cows, horses, and goats aren't typically considered pests to honey bees, they can still cause trouble. In pastures with cattle, hives can be knocked over when cows try to scratch themselves against them. To prevent this, a sturdy barbed wire fence around the hives is often sufficient. Livestock don’t actively seek out bee hives, but their size and curiosity when exposed to them could lead to hive damage.
Small Mammals and Agitation of Honey Bees
Small mammals like skunks, possums, and raccoons can become agitators for honey bee colonies. These creatures forage at night, and their behavior can disrupt a colony. By using their paws to remove guard bees from the entrance, they can agitate the colony, leading to aggressive behavior toward the beekeeper. The solution is simple: installing chicken wire around the hive entrance will prevent these animals from reaching the bees. This barrier stops them from picking off the guard bees and reduces the overall stress on the hive.
Mice and Honey Bees
Mice are another nighttime nuisance, especially during the winter months. Mice love to nest inside beehives, often chewing through frames and combs to create space for their nests. While they don’t directly harm the bees, they can cause damage to the hive’s structure. To prevent this, beekeepers should install entrance reducers, which limit access to the hive. Some beekeepers use queen excluders between the bottom board and hive box to create an additional barrier, protecting the hive from unwanted rodent intruders. Note: This would be a late fall and winter method only, as it traps the drones inside the hive.
Birds and Honey Bees
Certain birds, such as shrikes, titmice, and kingbirds, have been known to eat honey bees, but only in rare instances. The real danger comes when birds hunt for queens midflight, particularly after mating. Unfortunately, this is an unavoidable problem in beekeeping, as little can be done to stop these predatory birds from catching bees in flight.
Wax Moths and Honey Bees
Wax moths are a significant concern for beekeepers, particularly in weak colonies. These pests can destroy frames and comb by tunneling through them to feed on wax and pollen. A healthy, strong colony can usually defend itself against wax moths, but weakened hives are susceptible. Beekeepers should remove dead or weak colonies from their beeyards to prevent moth infestations. Freezing frames for three days and storing them properly can help manage wax moths and protect equipment. For details on how to store frames properly using Certan to protect them from wax moth damage - check out this video!
Ants and Honey Bees
Ants are opportunistic pests that feed on spilled syrup or ruptured honeycomb oozing honey. While they typically do not pose a major threat, in areas with prolific ant populations, beekeepers may need to treat ant mounds around their beeyards. The quickest way to control ant populations is by applying drench chemical treatments to mounds surrounding hives, being sure to do so late in the day to avoid attracting bees. There is also a product called AntCant that is specifically designed to keep ants from crawling up on the legs of hive stands. This could be a good alternative to those not wanting to use chemicals.
Wasps and Honey Bees
Hornets and yellowjackets are more aggressive toward honey bees in late fall when food sources become scarce. While wasp traps can help, creating a strong colony and reducing hive entrances are the best methods for preventing wasp-related issues. During autumn, it is essential to monitor the hives closely to protect against these aggressive pests.
Roaches and Honey Bees
Roaches can be a nuisance in beehives, especially if the hive boxes are damaged or exposed to moisture. Roaches are drawn to wet woodenware, so keeping hives dry and free from leaks is important. When storing woodenware, be sure to use proper ventilation, and store the boxes away from ground contact to prevent roach infestations.
Small Hive Beetles and Honey Bees
Small hive beetles are a well-known pest in beekeeping, but they can be managed with strong hives and in-hive traps. These pests thrive in weak colonies and can quickly take over if left unchecked. Ensuring that colonies are healthy and performing regular inspections can help prevent beetle infestations.
Termites and Honey Bees
Termites can damage hive boxes by eating through the wood. To avoid problems with termites, beekeepers should keep boxes elevated off the ground and away from direct contact with soil. Storing hives properly and practicing good beehive maintenance can prevent termites from infesting woodenware.
Spiders and Honey Bees
Although you may see a spider on occasion, only a few will eat bees. More than likely, you’ll be motivated to knock down any webs near your hives for your own benefit rather than for your bees, which will in turn prevent bees from being trapped as well.
Varroa Mites and Honey Bees
Finally, Varroa mites remain the number one cause of honey bee colony loss worldwide. These microscopic parasites weaken bees by feeding on their fat body and spreading disease. Beekeepers must regularly monitor for mites and employ treatments to manage infestations. Although Varroa mites are a major challenge, they can be controlled with diligence and the right tools. To read more about Varroa mites and how to manage them, visit our beekeeping blog.
Conclusion
Managing pests in beekeeping involves more than just dealing with the typical insect threats like Varroa mites or wax moths. Wildlife and livestock can also pose challenges for honey bee colonies, from bears and small mammals to birds and small insects. By understanding these threats and implementing the right prevention strategies, beekeepers can protect their hives and ensure the health of their bees. Regular inspections, proper equipment, and protective measures are essential for successful beekeeping.