olib007 Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Can anyone identify whats been eating my bee hive? i'd love to know; can't work it out as there aren't really any teeth marks. The hive now has an electric mesh fence around it and seems safe! Cheers, Oli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 100% sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 could be deer rubbing antlers perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olib007 Posted January 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Libs - I hope so, that would make a great coat! Nick - i don't think so as its eaten around the entrance towards the bottom of the photo as well, pretty sure its something trying to get at the honey/bees; there was a mouse guard over the entrance which had been pulled off too. There are only a few muntjack about where the hive is, its just the other side of the fence from our 50 acre deer park but i don't think we've lost any into the woods! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 AREB WE TALKING ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO THE (caps opps!!) brood box or in the entrance below it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Did anyone in your general area have a pet skunk that has been turned loose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnykiller Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 100% sure. I think ive just pished myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hushpower Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 Badger he bee,could bee a honey badger at that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 that's a good bet actually - claw marks above the hole and biting at the hole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hushpower Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 (edited) Mate of mine caught two badgers in the act of trying to break into his chicken shed through the wooden pannelling late one night biting an clawing they were,nearly through they were,he did the right thing though Scared them off,yes he did Edited January 25, 2011 by hushpower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olib007 Posted January 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 The damage happened to both brood box and enterance at the same time. The hives surrounded by 4 metal (gate like) hurdles; would a badger have gone through those? My initial thought was badget but then a mate said a badger would have pushed the lot over to get to the honey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hushpower Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 could of been a young one not a big brock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 :blink: the damage to the brood box looks like someone has had a go with a chisel :blink: got to be a badger chewing eh?? can't see it being a rat or owt else, how about a sand trap in front to catch foot prints so you know what to deal with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palombier Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 Have you thought about a green woodpecker? a mate of mine who keeps bees had lots of problems with these birds at one time, either destroying the boxes or tapping at the entrance and eating the bees when they emerged to see what was going on. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olib007 Posted January 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 I like the sand idea but i've had the electric round it for well over a week now so doubt it'd be back; i was away last week so didn't have a chance to start this thread! I'm sure its not a woodpecker; big chunks of wood have been pulled off; theres a patch round the back of the brood box where a woodpecker has had a go and its very different! Young badger is seeming like a likely candidate, any suggestions on keeping them at bay for good? The electrics a good short term solution but the hives at a farm park and we're hoping to build up to more like 10 hives over the coming year and electric mesh doesn't really look the part! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 fence them off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwintle Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 Have you thought about a green woodpecker? a mate of mine who keeps bees had lots of problems with these birds at one time, either destroying the boxes or tapping at the entrance and eating the bees when they emerged to see what was going on. P A lady who comes beating with us just told me exactly the same thing last week,about a woodpecker,could be your answer Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 Badger he bee,could bee a honey badger at that Only in africa matey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonblasterian Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 I think it could be a rabbit.A rat would knaw at the floor where the entrance is till it had enough room to squeeze into the hive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hushpower Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 Only in africa matey you bee right there mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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