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Damage to bees and hives is the most economically important agricultural problem
associated with the Louisiana black bear. A bear that encounters an unprotected
commercial apiary can destroy or badly damage scores of hives in just one night.
Losses to some beekeepers can be a significant financial burden, especially when
several apiaries are managed within the home range of a bear that has become a
habitual beehive robber. In some cases, individual beekeepers have reportedly
sustained as much as $10,000 in damages.
It is important for beekeepers to
initiate damage prevention strategies that preclude or minimize bear-caused
damage.
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Some bears are especially fond of larval bees and honey and will actively seek
out hives in their home range. Consequently, beehives should be located as far
as possible from timber and brush providing bears with cover and travel routes.
Honey crops should be harvested as soon as possible after the spring, summer and
fall nectar flows to reduce the attractiveness of hives to foraging bears, and
prevent the loss of the new honey crop in the event of depredation. When
possible, apiaries should be moved to new locations if bear activity is detected
nearby.
To minimize possible damage to hives and prevent bears from establishing
bad habits, apiaries in occupied habitat should be protected using electric
fences, bear-resistant platforms, or, with the help of an authorized wildlife
professional, aversive conditioning of bears.
Electric fencing has been shown to
be almost 100% effective in deterring bear damage. Fences can also be used to
control ongoing damage. Compact apiaries are easier to protect with
bear-resistant fencing than those scattered over a larger area. Therefore,
beekeepers should consolidate hives to form the smallest apiary that can be
practically managed.
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Plans for various types of bear-resistant fences and other types of damage
control information can be obtained from the offices of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Wildlife Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, any of the state
wildlife agencies, or the Cooperative Extension Service.
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