At 02:39  7/12/96 EDT, you wrote:
>---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
>Sender:       Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
>Poster:       "Kevin D. Parsons" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject:      Copy of: Mid-size Mammals
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>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
>
 
IMHO, the best thing to use is carpet tack strips.  They're not very
expensive. Cut and place them in such a way that you form a "pad" of them,
around the entrance, about a foot out from the hive.  Be sure to arrange
your "pad" in such a way as to keep them from coming from the side, as well.
Drive long nails through them, into the ground, to keep them from going
anywhere.
 
I guarantee that this works.  Just you be careful not to step on them when
you're working your hive.
 
 
Regards,
 
 
Mike Wallace
Sar Shalom Apiary
McKinney, Texas   USA
"Out of the heart, the mouth speaks."