I know the skunks are coming

FlexMedia.tv · March 03, 2016, 09:19:04 PM

Where I'm going to place my bees is known to have skunks. I read where I should raise my hives about a foot. One book said to drive some nails through a board like a carpet strip. Any better home solutions I could try?

Thanks!
Art

iddee · March 03, 2016, 09:22:47 PM

Make that 16 inches, not a foot. Any carpet store will likely give you a strip of carpet tack.
Two raw eggs, whipped well, with 3 or 4 aspirin ground and mixed well, and the skunk won't come back.

Oblio13 · March 03, 2016, 09:28:22 PM

Maybe use top entrances.

FlexMedia.tv · March 03, 2016, 10:44:11 PM

Never heard of the egg and aspirin. Why does that work?

iddee · March 03, 2016, 11:00:14 PM

They go nighty-night for a loooonnngg time.

FlexMedia.tv · March 03, 2016, 11:23:23 PM

Oh...the ole dirt nap...

rober · March 03, 2016, 11:23:56 PM

live trap them & drown them.

hilltophermit · March 04, 2016, 08:45:53 AM

Once they get a taste for bees, they will keep coming back. And bring their kinsfolk too. Get them up in the air, defiantly. but I've seen them stand on their hind legs and stretch, they' re pretty long. Never used aspirin, but know people that swear by it. In the old days you could buy cyanide tablets for them.... but no more. The only things that have worked for me was my .22 and i always have a big dog or two around that keeps them wary. Both of these options have obvious draw backs.

FlexMedia.tv · March 04, 2016, 09:53:27 AM

Great...
Well I've seen them around and I don't even have my bees yet. Humph!

BeeMaster2 · March 04, 2016, 12:06:58 PM

Just raise the hive up a little and use top entrances and you will be fine.
Jim

Michael Bush · March 04, 2016, 01:21:59 PM

I put my hives 3 1/2" off the ground and went to top entrances.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beestopentrance.htm

GSF · March 04, 2016, 10:05:02 PM

Back in the 60's or 70's we had a bad rabies out brake. I haven't seen a skunk within 50 miles of my place. Folks use to run over them and that's how we knew they were around. I haven't even smelled one since then.

FlexMedia.tv · March 05, 2016, 05:48:55 AM

Lately, I've seen a ton of road kill skunks. Maybe it's mating season or something...

FlexMedia.tv · March 05, 2016, 10:04:26 AM

Michael, I might be able to make a top feeder. Doesn't look too difficult. I like it!

Art

Dallasbeek · March 05, 2016, 11:25:28 AM

Top ENTRANCE, not feeder, and it's super simple. Look at Michael's website.

FlexMedia.tv · March 05, 2016, 10:37:35 PM

Top entrance. I mis spoke