Keeping Bears Away

[Kerimae]

I am just wondering if a double electrified wire is enough to protect my hive (soon to be hiveS yay!) from the black bears that wander around these parts.  It's on a welded wire fence. 

Thanks!

[Robo]

Two wires are more than enough, IF you bait them.   I live in a heavy populated bear area and have multiple bear in my yard at a time.  I have never had a hive behind a baited electric fence touched, wish I could say that for hives not protected by the electric fence.   The key is to get them zapped on the nose or tongue and they will not go near it again.   If you don't bait the fence, their fur will insulate them from the shock and they will plow right through.   What works best for me is small sections of hardware cloth bent in a 'V' shape, smeared with peanut butter and hung on the hot wire.    Peanut butter doesn't go rancid,  ant worst it gets a little moldy and dries up.   About once a month or so I just scrape of the dried up peanut butter and apply some more.    If you use the search function and search on "bear"  you will find many more discussions.

Here is a picture of a temporary setup at a time when I had 4 bear terrorizing my yard and chicken coop.  The only hive they got was a small nuc that was in my garden, which was behind an 8 ft fence, but not electric.   If you look close enough,  you can see one of the bait hanging from the top wire just behind the trailer hitch (the hardware cloth block the tongue just behind the hitch)

FYI,  I now only use 2 strands, but would guess one baited strand would work just as well.

[Kerimae]

Thanks so much; that's an awesome idea!  For some reason, I didn't see the photo you posted. 

[thebalvenie]

i'm planning on setting up a solar power generated electric fence to thwart any bears from tampering with the hive.  surprising it seems to already be inexpensive...the solar power source is just 160.00 and the fencing around 120.00 :)  and who knows what i'll find on craigslist once i start looking.

also, keep your hive elevated...this forces the skunks (they love to eat bees...not honey) onto their hind legs and exposes their bellies to the stingers...they won't go near it after that.  and bee sure to keep a heavy rock on top of the hive to prevent pesky raccoons from tampering with it as well.  but hey...if you set the fence up right, you can zap all three!!!! ;)   :lol:

[AllenF]

Just to let you all know,  There is no more camping on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia because of them bears.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy BLOOD MOUNTAIN, GA CAMPING CLOSURE. The AT between Neels Gap and Jarrard Gap is closed to camping as a safety measure until further notice. This includes Blood Mtn and Woods Hole Shelters. Day hiking is allowed. Any camping on side trails should take place at least 1/4 mile from AT. Persistent bear activity has led to this temporary closure. Call the US Forest Service at 706-745-6928 if you have questions.

North Georgia now has more bears than they can handle. 

[Michael Bach]

Remember if you want to really protect your hives, space wire no more than 6" apart to a height of 4 feet and use a charger of .5 jules minimum.  My solar charger is .87 to 2.5 jules.

I call me state wildlife agency and they helped me a bunch with the particulars with my set-up.  They work with beekeepers anough to know what works.

I too live in serious bear country.