We have repaired the damage a bear caused to our Langstroth beehive and we added some extra protection to discourage our friend (who we've named Baloo) from returning. When we were making the repairs to the Langstroth hive we noticed that our swarm had returned to the Top Bar hive. We had found the swarm on a bush in one of our fields as we walked out to un-tap our maple trees. We captured the swarm and placed them in the Top Bar hive, but that night Baloo made his messy visit. We thought they were gone for good, but lucky for us, they have returned!!
This photo shows the repaired bottom board on the Langstroth hive, as well as our Integrated Pest Management system: 1. Chain Link enclosure, 2. Two strands of electrified wire, 3. Rosebud, the Great Pyrenees livestock guardian. Ok, so Rosebud is just a puppy and not ready to take on Baloo, but she is 30 lbs of cuteness added to this photo!