Keeping bears away from beehives is vital to successful beekeeping in bear country. Bears are omnivores. Typically their diet consists of fruit, berries, nuts, plants, insects, and carrion. However, when food is in short supply (as may be the case in a drought year or when human development has encroached on bear habitat) bears will seek other sources of food. Bears are not picky eaters and will sample trash, pet food, birdseed from feeders, and honey or bee brood. Once they sample honey, they tend to develop a taste for the sticky, sweet stuff and will return again and again to raid bee yards. Consequently, stopping bear from damaging beehives before is of the utmost importance.

First, place beehives out in the open, away from forested areas and any where that will provide the bear with a quick escape (such as a ravine). Bears prefer areas which provide them with sufficient cover, such as forested areas or high meadow grasses. Research has shown that beehives located less than 300 feet away from a forested area or ravine are more than twice as likely to receive visits from bears as those located more than 400 feet away. Also, do not place beehives in places that are frequented by bears. This includes areas which are sources of food, water, and shelter for bears, such as rivers, streams, lakes, berry patches, garbage dumps or dumpsters, forested areas, ridges, and ravines.

Electric fences have been shown to be an effective tool in keeping bears from damaging beehives. Electric fences are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. However, an electric fence must be properly grounded and well maintained to be both safe and effective. They also need to be adequately charged at all times. Electric fences can also pose a potentially lethal hazard to other wildlife and people, especially children.

Motion detectors connected to a loud radio and lights are another effective electronic method in scaring off bears who venture too close to beehives.

These tips should really help keeping bears away. However, sometimes despite your defenses, bears will just get into your bee’s honey. When this occurs be sure to move your hives. The bears will eventually return for seconds and, if you rebuild them in the same location, they’ll find it. Moving your bees to a more secure location is the best and final line of protection from bears. Although you may wish to avoid doing this unless a bear threat becomes real as disturbing the hive will limit the production of honey.

Justin Smith loves bees and teaches others how to start beekeeping.