>>Yet, my intuition tells me: either the skunks, or my local
raccoon, would have a feast on any loose honey frames...

We have plenty of raccoons, opposums, and other creatures in this part of suburbia where we are one block away from a wetland preserve.  I have not had a problem and have assumed bee-covered frames deter these critters.  Skunks, on the other hand, I hear are drawn to hives but we don't have any skunks (that I know of) in this part of NY state.

Beekeeping proves to be very local again. :)

Waldemar

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