After a week away I returned to find the grass in front of all 4 of my hives
matted
down and the ground scratched up quite a bit. I assume I have been having
nocturnal visits by skunks, raccoons or possums. I have not seen the visitors.
I understand that this can make the bees more agressive to work, but is it
likely
cause a serious reduction in the bee population?
 
Has anyone had success in dealing this problem? I am thinking of placing the
hives on 2 concrete blocks, which would get them about 16 inches off the ground
in the hope that this will expose the underparts of the animals to more stings.
I've heard of putting cayenne pepper or boards of nails in front of the hives.
Do
these really work? What about attaching a semi-circle of fence around the front
of
the hive?  A full animal proof fence sounds like too much trouble. If I were
sure it
was not a skunk I'd try trapping the animal. I don't even want to think of
catching a skunk.
I'm sure glad we don't have bears around here.
 
Any ideas would be appreciated, especially if they have worked for you.
 
Thanks,
 
Kevin D. Parsons
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA