Bees and cats?

[Headnavigator]

I've noticed a new cat in the neighbourhood recently, yesterday I saw her appearing from around the hives. I can't recall seeing anything on here about how bees and cats interact, but I'm not keen on being pointed to if she comes to harm, having found one dead cat in the garden already this year (nothing to do with bees).

 

[For want of a better word]

I've noticed a new cat in the neighbourhood recently, yesterday I saw her appearing from around the hives. I can't recall seeing anything on here about how bees and cats interact, but I'm not keen on being pointed to if she comes to harm, having found one dead cat in the garden already this year (nothing to do with bees).

I have a book somewhere 1001 things to do with a dead cat...

 

[Erichalfbee]

***

 

[For want of a better word]

​

 

[Headnavigator]

 

[Greatbigchicken]

Mine are fine, but I've got to keep the dog away though or he'd eat them all.

View attachment 5389

 

[Headnavigator]

Lovely pic, looks like they are reasonably compatible!

 

[Poly Hive]

And if not it is not your fault of the owners let them roam.

PH

 

[drstitson]

no problems - soon learn if stung.
likewise poultry.

DOI: 28 cats, 1 dog and innumerable poultry.

 

[enrico]

I have a squirrel that sits on top of the hive and cracks its nuts ......... so to speak!!!

 

[MandF]

We have 2 cats, who both like to follow us around when we go into the garden. When we go to the hives now they just sit on the wall a few feet away and let us get on with it.

As DrStitson said, they soon learn how to interact with bees and wont be a problem.

We also still have other cats which come into our garden, plus a fox!

 

[MartinL]

Our two cats have a very differing approach to the hives. Whilst they both follow up the garden, auntie soon establishes a safe distance when she notices the hives are being opened, the other proves to be far more curious.

During the summer, my wife watched as the younger cat put her nose right up to the entrance for a good sniff! This was followed by a lightening sprint back down the garden and through the cat-flap.
We expected her to have been stung but (other than the deep shame from being laughed at) there was no sign of any swelling or ill affect.

One of the cats next door however, has been seen looking very sorry for himself, swinging a swollen front paw in the fashion of Long John Silver.

All part of the feline learning curve.

 

[drstitson]

Piggle had a swollen paw for a few days after patting a paper wasp (see other thread).

 

[greatbritishhoney]

My cat is generally too busy finding innovative ways to sleep on my newly ironed clothes to be bothered with beehives.

 

[victor meldrew]

When my kids were small(they have grandchildren of their own now!) we had a cat that used to swipe at bumblebees ,it took her years to learn not to do this ! The kids used to call her Sasquash (big foot)
VM

 

[BeeMoustashe]

one of my cats became curious about a load of scout bees that were exploring an old hive stacked in my garden. Got stung on the lip, never bothered bees since. Absolutely fine other than a big fat lip.

 

[Chrisfnvs]

We have a cat (Tuffy) he loves to chase anything that flies, and anything that doesn't come to that, he now stops the pursuit when he realises its a bee that he is chasing, i think he was stung earlier in the year, when i was doing a spot of gardening in the spring Tuffy was going mad chasing something, "leave it Tuffy" i called out, no good he continued his pursuit, sudenley he stop and was chewing something when i caught up with him,I opened his mouth to find the biggest Bumble Bee i have ever seen inside, i managed to get it out very wet but unharmed, and surprisingly no sting for Tuffy, i wish i had had my camera with me Chris

 

[Oandy]

We are looking after my sons miniture Jack Russel. He was out in the yard one morning he yelped then darted back into the house. He had about 6 lumps round his muzzle and eyes. When checking the bees later there was paw prints on the landing board. He stays away from the hives now. Andy

 

[Chrisfnvs]

Animals seem to learn very quickly to stay away, where as we are gluttons for punishment and keep going back for more Chris

 

[Arfermo]

Had a call from a woman last summer (was there one?) about a swarm that had not been fully collected and the uncollected residue was sitting on a low shrub in her garden. Mad as hell of course because queenless and had stung her dog to the tune of £50 vets bill. Advised her to get the swarn collector (friend of a friend of hers), back to do the job properly. Bloke never did turn up again (every excuse under the sun of course) so advised her to dump petrol on them. Too far away for me to go so no other choice. Nice to have such friendly beeks eh?