The war has begun - and the skunks are winning!

[cmom]

Maybe someone is catching and releasing in your area to give you a problem. It has happened to me. We are rural on a dead end road. I suddenly had an explosion in the skunk population. A friend overheard some people talking at the local doughnut store about someone releasing skunks in our area. I was catching skunks every night. One night I got two in one trap. I eliminated them.

 

[The Tiny Homestead]

Skunks will also visit bee hives at night. They scratch on the entrance board and when bees come out to investigate, they lap them up. Some beekeepers use any old fencing rolled up in front of the hive. Others use boards with nails sticking out. I'm not sure if that would be doable in your case.

 

[Folly's place]

The beekeepers who had hives here used electric fencing. Perfect!
Mary

 

[PioneerChicks]

Skunks will also visit bee hives at night. They scratch on the entrance board and when bees come out to investigate, they lap them up. Some beekeepers use any old fencing rolled up in front of the hive. Others use boards with nails sticking out. I'm not sure if that would be doable in your case.

I've heard of some beekeepers raising their hives up on cinder blocks so the skunk has to reach up to the hive, then the need sting its belly. Not sure how well this works, especially at night.

My grandpa made a complete fence with a top for his hive (he only has one at the moment) and of pallet boards. He says you will know if a skunk has been around because the bees will act disturbed a there will be scratch marks on the hive.

I haven't had any skunk problems yet, but I only started beekeeping last year.

 

[The Tiny Homestead]

The beekeepers who had hives here used electric fencing. Perfect!
Mary

Yes I have electric fences around all of my hives. Bear country here in western MA and there are lots of them