Hello,
I've just got back from a week away, to find the garden covered in an inch of beautiful snow. I though i'd have a quick look at my hive to check it wasn't too berried and found that there were a couple of large holes in the side. One was almost big enough to get my hand through, and inside the frames had been shreaded. There's also another hole thats been started.
Some of my bees have survived, although a lot of dead bees are being moved out. I've whipped of ruined part, and am about to put some more feed on them.
In the base of the hive, below the wire mesh where i slide a board to check varroa count has also been noored at.
I'm just wondering whats likely to have done this? Are wood peckers the most likly suspects? Im going to build a chicken-wire surround, but was looking for any advice as to what it might be, and how best to stop it!
Many Thanks!
I've just got back from a week away, to find the garden covered in an inch of beautiful snow. I though i'd have a quick look at my hive to check it wasn't too berried and found that there were a couple of large holes in the side. One was almost big enough to get my hand through, and inside the frames had been shreaded. There's also another hole thats been started.
Some of my bees have survived, although a lot of dead bees are being moved out. I've whipped of ruined part, and am about to put some more feed on them.
In the base of the hive, below the wire mesh where i slide a board to check varroa count has also been noored at.
I'm just wondering whats likely to have done this? Are wood peckers the most likly suspects? Im going to build a chicken-wire surround, but was looking for any advice as to what it might be, and how best to stop it!
Many Thanks!