pests around bee yards

[old243]

Has anyone had any problems with animals and critters disturbing your bee yards and how do you handle it. I have had a skunk , pulling the reducing entrance out of my hives. Set a live trap and caught one, relocated him to the happy hunting ground. We usually have coons around as well, but try to keep their numbers down. I  know that wasps can be a problem, I put a bottle trap out last year and reduced their numbers, they are easy to trap, lots of examples on utube, bees don't seem to be interested in wasp traps. We don't have many bears , close by . They can really bust up a bunch of equipment in short order..Give us your ideas and experiences.old 243

[Brad H.]

A good ol' fashion solar powered electric fence always worked well for me when I used to have bees. We'd run three separate levels of wire with one fairly low to the ground. We have a ton of skunks and coon in the area as well, and I never had an issue.

[pokeyjeeper]

How high is your hive off the ground you may need to raise it up some skunks and coons don’t like to expose their belly for bees to sting

[old243]

I caught and transported another skunk,I think they are attracted by any dead bees in front of hive. I really don't want to get rid of all of them, as they do keep , to themselves mostly and keep other pests in check We are on the edge of a town , and seem to get a transient population of stray cats, coons and skunks. Probably this time of year with mating etc. They are on the move. My hives are up  about 18 inches. Thanks for ideas. old243