Mouse guards

[bee bee king]

When is the appropriate time to fit mouse guards ? Normally done it by now but so mild at the mo here in hastings, e sussex

 

[Gilberdyke John]

When is the appropriate time to fit mouse guards ? Normally done it by now but so mild at the mo here in hastings, e sussex

I don't use them. My hives are overhanging their stands. Same idea as steddle stones.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

just have entrance blocks with 8mm high entrances no need for mouseguards then. I think they are another British 'quirk' that the rest of the world laughs at

 

[Nannysbees]

When is the appropriate time to fit mouse guards ? Normally done it by now but so mild at the mo here in hastings, e sussex

Haven't put ours on yet as the pollen is pouring in, probably fit them in the next few weeks when we put on the recticel

 

[bee bee king]

I don't use them. My hives are overhanging their stands. Same idea as steddle stones.

Trouble is my bees are rural so I'm bothered by woodpeckers, mice and rats and badgers plus human trespassers. Last year the badgers tore off the mouse guards and then the rats ate the openings bigger and ate through several brood boxes. Also I like the entrance at the front in the sun so I can see at a glance what's going on. I might try this version tho on a few hives.

 

[Erichalfbee]

All my floors are UFE
Having found bees’ wings on the inspection tray for a couple of weeks I found the culprit. Sneaking into the porch, running along it till a guard bee poked her head out to see what was happening, then snaffling her to eat on the tray.

View attachment DSCF0013.mov

 

[Murox]

Trouble is my bees are rural so I'm bothered by woodpeckers, mice and rats and badgers plus human trespassers. Last year the badgers tore off the mouse guards and then the rats ate the openings bigger and ate through several brood boxes. Also I like the entrance at the front in the sun so I can see at a glance what's going on. I might try this version tho on a few hives.

Mine are rural too, biggest issue is with deer and curiously tits. The tits peck away at the entrances of poly nucs. I rebuilt the face of couple with cement, so far it's remained intact.