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A sight that beekeepers prefer not to see: a bear has demolished hives in its search for honey and bees to eat.

A sight that beekeepers prefer not to see: a bear has demolished hives in its search for honey and bees to eat.
© Ontario Beekeepers' Association, Technology Transfer Program

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Skunks scratch the earth by the hive entrance to draw the bees out so they can eat them. A sight that beekeepers prefer not to see: a bear has demolished hives in its search for honey and bees to eat. A clear impression of a bear's paw and claws leaves no doubt as to the culprit responsible for this damage. Beekeepers often string barbed wire around their bee yards to protect the hives from marauding bears. Once a bear has visited a bee yard there's little the beekeeper can do but repair or replace the hive boxes, buy new bees and start over. Many provinces offer insurance to assist with such disasters.

Predators

Bees and their honey are seen as a special treat for a few wild animals. Bears, racoons and skunks are among their most serious predators. To help protect them, beekeepers sometimes place electric or small mesh fencing around the hives.

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