Electric fences effectively prevent black bear damage to beehives and are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. The Colorado Division of Wildlife compensates beekeepers for bear damage and assists with damage prevention. In addition, bees provide a valuable service to agriculture and homeowners by pollinating Crops and Gardens. Locate beeyards in a protected area near water and flowering Crops or wild flowers. Mountain meadows and agricultural lands along the foothills meet these criteria, and most Colorado beeyards are located along the Front Range and in the western part of the state.
Black bears require forested areas to find adequate food, water and cover.
The typical bear diet consists of forbs, berries, nuts, Insects and carrion. To build fat reserves for winter hibernation, bears feed heavily on berries and nuts in late summer and early fall. When these foods are in short supply, as in drought years or in areas where human development has encroached on their habitat, bears may turn to other sources of food such as honey and bee brood. The amount of black bear damage to beehives in Colorado varies each year, possibly reflecting fluctuations in food supply. Identifying Bear Damage Signs of black bear foraging in beeyards include broken and scattered frames, and supers bearing tooth or claw marks.