Where I live-NE Tenn. I have been told there are black bear near by. I know there is skunk, rats and mice, oppossums, raccoons and possibly weasles of some kind, there are also rattlesnakes. There is a albino panther that lives on the hillside about 100 yds away-I have seen it. How many of these creatures will be problems to the bees and how do I overcome them?
What I am planning on doing when i get set up is to take cinderblocks and set about 5 of them out. Then take and old pallet (wooden) that I have lying around and put it on top of the cinderblocks. Finally put the hive bodies on top of the pallet. That should effectively get the hives up off the ground about 10-15".
Does anyone have cheap places on line to get their hive bodies and frames and foundation? All recommendations are appreciated. With the prices I have seen on some of the sites I have been on, it is almost worth driving back to PA. to go collect my old hive bodies and haul them down to TN. The bees deserted them along time ago.
The skunk and the bear are your problems. The other critters you mentioned usally don't bother hives. The block thing would work for the skunks. If bears are a problem lots of people use the solar electric fences to keep them out. Personally I prefer the 243 method mixed with the fence it's a one time thing and they stay out after a shot of that.
So whats the "243 method?"
:-D 243 Remington Semi-automatic rifle 150 grain bullet. One shot with that and the bear will never return to your bees again. I use a bushnell scope for better shot placement but you don't have to use one. :-D
Now that puts a new meaning to pest management!! I like the way you work!