Tomorrow just became 'move the bees day'

Steve in VA · Jul 26, 2016

I'm baffled. Just went down to discover one bee hive disturbed. The stand is upright and intact. All of the boxes are neatly stacked but upside down with the top cover on the ground. The bees weren't in a cloud so this didn't just happen. Can't figure this out without human intervention and whoever did this either had a suit or got really whacked. I intended to split them but not quite yet. Guess they get split and moved tomorrow. I wonder if the guy mowing over there hit it? This hive isn't really friendly but a good strong survivor hive.

Janicholson · Jul 26, 2016

Cows will ad do knock them over, as will other big beasties, like bears. I would not blame humand, they are way to afraid of bees. Jim

Steve in VA · Jul 26, 2016

You could be right. No cattle but may have been a bear. Usually the dogs keep them at a distance. I need to inspect it closer tomorrow for claw marks. The propolis may have held everything together but I would expect a bear to have gone ahead and trashed to hive. Doesn't make much difference but I am curious.

jacks · Jul 26, 2016

Steve, I am in Eastern VA and have bees on the farm. The guys that own and manage the bees stack the hives on a pallet and use 2" load binders to strap the hives to the pallet. We have some bears in the area but they have not messed up anything yet. I guess if a good sized bear is determined to get some honey, he or she will tear up almost any form of protection. Some folks are putting up strong enclosures or fencing around the hives. I am curious to hear what is working to keep bears out.

2x4 · Jul 27, 2016

bear got to my friends hive; nothing left but splinters. No, not exaggerating, just splinters.

Dieselrider · Jul 27, 2016

Cannot believe it was bear if there is anything left of the hive. Maybe if the bear was scared off after knocking it over. They usually eat the honey, bees, wax and all and leave splinters like 2x4 has said.

Steve in VA · Jul 27, 2016

today should reveal. we have bears but they are travelers and in all these years I've never had an issue. Which, as they say, past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Not looking forward to doing this in 93+ but have other more pressing things to do this morning.

glennster · Jul 27, 2016

I would think a bear or racoon would trash the hive. Skunks will scratch at the outside and eat the bees as they come out. I had one hive swarm memorial day, lost the swarm. I have my honey supers on for about 3 weeks now, but nothing going on in either hive. I may pull the queen excluders off. Brood chambers have lots of honey and pollen stored. Bees look good tho.

hd6gtom · Jul 27, 2016

got horses around them, they will knock them over to get at honey. Having a decent year here got 4 to six supers on each established hive, some of the new ones don't have any yet.

Leroy · Jul 27, 2016

As I undrestand what you are saying I don't see how it could be anything but a person. First bottom as should be but top parts just turned over but perfectly in place, HOW COULD AN ANIMAL DO THAT? and cover off and laying down as would not fit on the overturned part. I an not familuar with bee hives but hauled a bunch for a friend earlier this year. What kind of animal would be smart enough to be able turn over and place in position several parts? All the posters are thinking as seems to me all parts just knocked off but not replaced with only being upside down. So what am I missing?

Tomorrow just became 'move the bees day'

Steve in VA

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Janicholson

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Steve in VA

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jacks

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2x4

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Dieselrider

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Steve in VA

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glennster

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hd6gtom

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Leroy

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