At 02:39 PM 7/12/96 EDT, you wrote:
>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
 
GO the cheapest way possible. The board with nails,place near the
entrance,worked great for me. By all means,use the concrete blocks!!