I keep my bees (3 hives) on my deck. I have one
hive that is really cranky. The hives are outside large
glass sliding doors of the family room. Lights in that
room are on late into the evening. Mornings I have noticed
bees on the deck (supified until they warm up). About 10%
don't ever wake up. I had assumed that these bees were
late getting home and attracted by the lights.
 
        One evening I checked at around 10 PM and there
was the usual number, less than 30. In the moring there
were about 200! I then assumed the hives had been visited
and pestered during the night.
 
        One night last week while watching TV in the
evening my daughter noticed an opossum on the deck by the
hives. I chased it off. I'm assuming that it is the reason
for the cranky hive.
 
        Does anyone have any recommondations for dealing
with this little beast!  I would rather deter than destroy
the little devel. I quess I'm lucky it isn't a skunk!
 
        Thanks in advance.
 
        Jim Moore
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