Jim,

Thumbtack idea sounds great, indeed.

An ole hand in beekeping advised me not to staple the wire, although he
did not mention about using thumbtacks, because racoons, possums, and
skunks CAN rip the wire right out of the entrance.  If thumbtacks can
withstand such force, I will try them next time.

Since I am on that topic, I often wonder how serious the mouse damage can
be in the *south* because the warm weather often allows the bees
cleansing flights even in the depth of winter.  If so, couldn't they
simply or eventually kill the mouse inside the hive?  Of course, I realize
that the damage had already been done then.  Since I have been putting
mouse-guards every year, I cannot tell how serious the mouse damage can
be. . . .

Depressed, thinking of spring already. . . .


Yoon