Sometimes bears can sneak into the apiary, hunting for honey. Having tried a sweet product once and knowing where the treat is located, the animal will come back again. To protect the hives, you need to know how and how to scare a bear away from the apiary, what effective methods can be used, what is better to choose and why. How to behave correctly if you suddenly happen to encounter a wild animal.
Why do bears attack the apiary?
The territory of wild lands is shrinking, animals are losing places where they feed, and are beginning to look for other opportunities to find food, which often leads them to villages and summer cottages. Gradually the animals get used to it and stop being afraid.
Bears attack apiaries because they lack food, mainly sweet-tasting plants. If the hunt is successful, it is difficult to wean the animal from attacking apiaries. The beast ravages as many hives as necessary until it is full. Broken houses and destroyed families remain in place.
Bears especially often attack apiaries in the fall, when they are stocking up for the winter. Honey is an excellent energy product, and it is easy to get it out of the hive; animals quickly understand this.
Ways to protect yourself from wild animals
To prevent the animal from reaching the hives, it must not enter the apiary territory. This is how you can stop the bear and prevent it from destroying the hives.
Dogs and guards
Specially hired guards and trained dogs are the best option to ward off the predator, because the territory will be under control. Dogs trained to guard can easily sense a wild animal and will warn their owners by barking. These do not have to be purebred dogs, the main thing is that the dogs are unpretentious and responsible. If there are a lot of hives, it is recommended to hire a watchman, although he will have to pay, but you don’t have to worry that the animals will be able to approach the hives with impunity.
strong fence
A bear is a large animal; to prevent it from entering the apiary territory, you need to fence it with a high and strong fence that the animal cannot knock down or break, such as a wooden fence. A metal mesh is also not suitable; the animal can climb over or dig under the sections.
A suitable option is a fence made of iron sheets - the metal sheets are strong and can support the weight of the animal. The height of the fence should be higher than 2 m, preferably 2.5-3 m. This is necessary so that the bear does not get caught in its claws and climb over the top. On the outside, near the fence, you can put boards with nails driven into them.
Electric fence
An electric fence is a reliable means of repelling wild animals. The fence consists of wires stretched between the posts; the wires are energized. It is sufficient for the animal to feel an electric shock when it touches the wires. In most cases, this is enough to prevent him from having such a desire again. The recommended fence height is 3 m. To prevent the electric fence from becoming a source of injury to people, danger warning signs are hung on it or surrounded by an additional wooden fence.
Signaling
Animals do not like loud sounds; sharp ones get them scared and run away. This can be used against them by setting up an alarm. When you touch the wire from which the fence is made, a loud whistle or a blank shot will sound. The alarm scares off any animals equally well, not only bears, but also unwanted people, so, in any case, it will not be superfluous on the site.
Rules of conduct when meeting a bear
If there is a chance encounter with a predator, you should not run, this will only provoke the animal to attack. It can abandon the hives and chase a person. You don't need to run, but slowly retreat. If the animal is close, you do not need to look into its eyes. He can interpret a direct gaze as aggression and attack first.
If the bear is already destroying the hives, there is no need to try to take the prey from him, this will enrage him.You can’t not only run, but also turn your back on the animal; it’s better not to come close at all. If it approaches itself, you need to try to drive it away with a loud cry. You should not make sudden movements; the best thing to do would be to gradually retreat.
In some regions where forests are close to settlements, bears may visit apiaries in order to obtain honey. At the same time, the animals destroy all the hives they reach, break and drive away the bees. It is difficult to restore the economy later.
The most effective method of protecting an apiary is a guard with dogs, but if it is difficult to hire one, then you need to install a fence on the site. But not just a fence, but a strong and stable one, so that a strong animal cannot break it. A more modern fencing option is an electric fence or a fence with an alarm, which are also available for installation in a private apiary.
