Honey Bee Parasites, Pests, Predators and Diseases

Apiary location near forest edge

There are several precautions the beekeeper can take to reduce the chances of bear damage. Typically, bears move through their home ranges with preferred travel lanes or bear crossings which often follow certain ridges, ravines, streambeds, or along the forest edge. Beekeepers can help avoid damage from bears by careful selection of the apiary site. Placement of colonies on or near bear crossings or dumps which serve as food sites for bears, will most likely result in problems. Research has shown that the farther bee yards are located from forest edges and ravines, the less chance there is of bear visitation.