Rats trying to chew into polynucs

[cai876]

Hi, at one of my apieries I have a few wooden hives and 2 overwintered polynucs. We have rats in the area and I think they have been trying to gain access to the honey by chewing at the entrance. One of the issues is that last night it span the door which nearly closed off the entrance. Wooden hives are all fine.

I'm not sure if poison/traps would help because I live at the edge of a city centre near loads of student houses bordering onto the hillside (wild woodland) and I think any rats killed would soon be displaced by other rats coming in from further afield.

I have thought that the bees would defend themselves but it worries me that the rat nearly closed the hive door. Any ideas of what I could do?

 

[domino]

I've had this, doesn't happen that often I just patch them up. I'm going to make some tunnel entrances this year because last year the wasps went to town on my nucs and wiped a few out.

 

[Boston Bees]

They should really be painted and I think that the paint taste might put rats off?

 

[B+.]

They should really be painted and I think that the paint might put rats off.

Rats teeth grow continuously so they have to gnaw to wear them down. Pretty much nothing puts them off.

 

[domino]

They should really be painted and I think that the paint taste might put rats off?

I paint mine, they still chew them.

 

[Corbeehives]

A screw and washer through the Queen excluder part of the door will stop it turning.

 

[cai876]

I've had this, doesn't happen that often I just patch them up. I'm going to make some tunnel entrances this year because last year the wasps went to town on my nucs and wiped a few out.

With what did you patch up?

 

[cai876]

They should really be painted and I think that the paint taste might put rats off?

It's been on my mind to paint them but it's always been a job for next week!

 

[Boston Bees]

With what did you patch up?

This is great stuff for repairing poly:

Tetrion Ready Mix Filler 1kg (393261): Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

 

[Hebeegeebee]

If a rat really wanted to get in, it would probably make short work of a polystyrene hive.

 

[Ian123]

They should really be painted and I think that the paint taste might put rats off?

Oh no it doesn’t!!!!!! There’s very little on the face of the planet that will put rats off.

 

[ericbeaumont]

Any ideas of what I could do?

Count yourself lucky. This winter I found poly nuc discs pulled off entirely and nucs dead; apiary near water.

 

[domino]

This is great stuff for repairing poly:

Tetrion Ready Mix Filler 1kg (393261): Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

^ I use this as well.

 

[enrico]

Oh no it doesn’t!!!!!! There’s very little on the face of the planet that will put rats off.

My shotgun works quite well!

 

[ChrisS]

I use Ronseal multi-purpose wood filler Ronseal Multipurpose Wood Filler Natural 310ml

Works well on poly hives, especially with the nozzle for filling wax moth grub holes. Easy to sand.

 

[ChrisS]

I have a damn great spring-loaded rat trap with metal teeth right where ratty's throat would be. I think the mere look of it deters them. They are also scared of the grass snakes which nest in our compost heap most summers - I guess baby rats are a tasty snake snack!

 

[Apple]

Count yourself lucky. This winter I found poly nuc discs pulled off entirely and nucs dead; apiary near water.

Badgers got one of mine.... gurt likkin great hole and claw marks down the sides....... bees were still inside... happy as Larry!!

 

[pargyle]

Hi, at one of my apieries I have a few wooden hives and 2 overwintered polynucs. We have rats in the area and I think they have been trying to gain access to the honey by chewing at the entrance. One of the issues is that last night it span the door which nearly closed off the entrance. Wooden hives are all fine.

I'm not sure if poison/traps would help because I live at the edge of a city centre near loads of student houses bordering onto the hillside (wild woodland) and I think any rats killed would soon be displaced by other rats coming in from further afield.

I have thought that the bees would defend themselves but it worries me that the rat nearly closed the hive door. Any ideas of what I could do?

Turn the disc round to the reduced entrance ...drill a hole and put a dowel through to stop the disc moving. I never have Nuc entrances on the full setting they really don't need that much ... helps them defend against rodents, wasps and robbing ...

Repairing the hole? Send me a PM and I'll turn a timber insert you can glue in place... wont stop the rats but it might discourage them. I've had a rat nibble away under one of my poly hives ... I sometimes think they just like nibbling polystyrene !

 

[North End Bees]

To stop the disc turning, I just use a drawing pin through one of the vent holes. Not had any problems with it coming loose.

 

[oliver90owner]

Secure your doors better? Improve your hive stands? Check your hives more regularly? You are the beekeeper.