I am a new Beekeeper. I have tons of questions. The one that I am most concerned about is that I have a bear that visits every fall looking for fruit in the back yard. I do what I can to keep the yard cleaned up but I get at least one visit a year. I see that most people seem to use electric fencing as a deterrent. My problem is that I live in the middle of town and municipal code prohibits the use of electric fencing in town.
I see the critter gitter motion and heat alarm type devices are also popular. I am concerned about the thing going off all the time simply because of the wind or the local cat and annoying the neighbors. does anyone have experience with these devices and can tell me what to expect with them?
I also see a device called the Phantom Protector which is supposed to make a noise like a mountain lion hiss and or scream. Aparently according to the ad the hiss is inobtrusive and yet will keep away all manner of wild life including bears. Does anyone have any experience with this type of device?
I have thought of putting up fence and hoping that no one notices or reports it.
thanks for the help,
Alfred
alfred,
Welcome :-D
I was in a similar situation, no bears, but neighbors and liabilities in a suburban setting. I am nearby many farms in my southern part of NJ, so my thoughts were to ask farmers if I could keep hives on their land year-round for a mutual benefit. The first farmer I came across was more than happy to allow me land and access 7 miles from home. Now in my 2nd year, I have 9 hives with much room to grow in 3 different areas of of his farm free of charge and free pollination for him plus an added bonus of selling my honey in his roadside market. I have plans to grow into a sideline with pollination contracts, with his farm as a base of operations. My only regret was that I should have asked him 2 years earlier.
It may be a good idea for you to do the same whether there is abundant farmland or secured open space in your area. Also you can erect that bear fence without complaints, I cannot advise you on the Phantom Guard Protector because I have no experience with such a device ask around and you may get very lucky :-D
BeeHopper
You might consider industrial chain link. 8' and close in the top too. Concrete the bottom. Else, 5' and talk to the town manager or who ever might be able to allow a variance on the no electric fence ordinance. Mark the electric or get the stuff that is already marked, like what is used for horse pasture. Guess being in town won't allow you to deal with a bear with gunfire.
Bear traps illegal? Can find them at antique places.
firm believer in: "it's better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission." Talk to neighbors and put the electric fence up. Had a bear knock my hive over last week and I installed an electric fence and have had no problems since. Just my two cents
I don't know much about the motion things, but I have a trail camera for getting pictures of wildlife that has a flash for at night. I have pictures of bears licking the lense as the flash is going off. Not sure what they find so tasty about the camera, but it doesn't seem to bother them.
Jeff
i'd go with the electric also. just fence well inside your property line and no one will even notice. if you want to use a portable charger that you can grab and hide quickly, i have one called a yellow jacket. takes 4 d cell batteries and works really well. i use it for camping.
gotta wonder about the folks who come up with these rules.
Quote from: kathyp on July 07, 2007, 07:23:12 PM
i'd go with the electric also. just fence well inside your property line and no one will even notice. if you want to use a portable charger that you can grab and hide quickly, i have one called a yellow jacket. takes 4 d cell batteries and works really well. i use it for camping.
gotta wonder about the folks who come up with these rules.
Gotta ask......
You take an electric fence charger camping. Where you go camping and what do you want to keep out/away?
sorry. i was a little unclear. :-) i camp with a horse most of the time. i like to keep her with me. the walk home can be a long one.