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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 01, 2009, 09:00:27 pm

Title: Now I Have A 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 01, 2009, 09:00:27 pm
It has been some time since I was on here, but I am back! Things seem to be happening too fast for me lately (heart attacks to cancer in the family leaves little time for the hives and computer) and of course the 'coons are starting to bother my hives right at the worst possible time.

I have added some entrance reducers to the hives that are being hit the hardest by the new crop of baby 'coons the big mamas have been bringing to the bee yard. We went  from a wet spring and summer to dry and cold! It finally rained some last night and this morning, so the 'coons did not come back last night. Here it is the first of August and I am about ready to light a fire in the woodstove! (Hey it is cold and wet here!)

I hope that the entrance reducers will keep the little paws out of the hives for now. It is pretty cool here and the nights are extremely cool. I do not think the bees will get too hot. This has been one weird year for weather!
I was also worried that some of the hives would have chilled brood! Yes, it is that cool at night. (There was hundreds of people wearing hoodies and jeans at the stockcar track and watching the parade at the local festivals today....so it is not just me feeling the chill.)

I finally got the mess cleaned up from the storms and now I have to deal with cold weather and 'coons....plus the health problems going on in the family...and I have had to feed my bees already! Nothing is blooming other that some of the commercial pumpkin fields and the blooms are 'spotty' with not enough blooms for the pollenator hives that have been brought in. So, I am feeding my bees. The hay fields are all mowed down and might make another hay crop, but it will be some weeks before there are any blooms.

I hope that something good happens here soon! Please someone post something good!

Brenda

Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: BearCountry on August 01, 2009, 09:36:00 pm
Regarding the raccoons, you probably won't be wanting to take the time and expense to build a fence, which is the most secure method.  I would imagine that maybe there is some kind of repellent you could spray?  I use liquid fence deer and rabbit repellent on my orchard, which works like a charm, I dont know if it would work on other rodents, but I guess it might.  I also dont know if getting it on or near your hives would hurt.  It only really stinks for 5 minutes, but the bees have a much better sense of smell.

Deadly force is maybe an option?  Maybe cruel to some, but I would probably be taking these 'coon raids a bit personal.  It's also permanent.  Until the next 'coon family starts raiding.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Kathyp on August 01, 2009, 09:42:44 pm
if you can't shoot around your area, you can get those live traps.  drop them in the stock tank when they are full.  just make sure the tank is deep and the trap is weighted.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: harvey on August 01, 2009, 10:59:17 pm
To rid yourself of racoons,  go to the local feed store or co-op and ask for Golden Marlin  (aka flybait)  Be very careful using this stuff as whatever drinks or eats it will be dead before they can walk away!   Wear gloves when handling this stuff!  Do not breath it or get it on sweaty skin!  put a small amount in a pot pie dish or I use a clay pigeon, mix in a little coca cola just enough to make a slurry,  The coons, skunks, opposum and fox love this stuff.  Normally there nose will still be in it by the time they are dead,  it is a neuro toxin.  It is legitamly used in milk houses to kill flies.  Make sure no other animals will have access to it as it is very deadly but also very effective.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Kathyp on August 01, 2009, 11:16:49 pm
wouldn't that also attract the bees?
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: wildbeekeeper on August 01, 2009, 11:18:44 pm
To rid yourself of racoons,  go to the local feed store or co-op and ask for Golden Marlin  (aka flybait)  Be very careful using this stuff as whatever drinks or eats it will be dead before they can walk away!   Wear gloves when handling this stuff!  Do not breath it or get it on sweaty skin!  put a small amount in a pot pie dish or I use a clay pigeon, mix in a little coca cola just enough to make a slurry,  The coons, skunks, opposum and fox love this stuff.  Normally there nose will still be in it by the time they are dead,  it is a neuro toxin.  It is legitamly used in milk houses to kill flies.  Make sure no other animals will have access to it as it is very deadly but also very effective.

This is also very illegal...... i would advocate the use of live traps to stop raiding hives... using any type of poison runs th too high of a risk of affecting other wildlife species
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Pond Creek Farm on August 01, 2009, 11:20:15 pm
Coons are a problem, but killing anything that gets near the hive is not the answer.  Use a live trap.  If it is honey they are after, bait the trap with honey.  Deadly force is sometimes necessary, but do it after you have caught the offender.  The off-label use of such a powerful insecticide is not necessary nor advisable.  
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Bee-Bop on August 02, 2009, 09:27:47 am


 :imsorry:

If You use a live trap DON"T bring them out to the country and drop them off !
We have enough of a problem getting rid of the puppies {drop dogs } that the city people take for a ride and leave by the side of the road, so " they will have a nice home on a farm".
 Sorry that seldom works !

Bee-Bop
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: fish_stix on August 02, 2009, 10:31:38 am
Before using poison I'd try some Coyote Urine which you can find at a well stocked sporting goods/gunshop. I had very good results from this, keeping coons and possums out of my yard. BTW, I found some at Ace hardware also; seems some people use it to scare away birds from areas they don't want painted with poop.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: trapperbob on August 02, 2009, 10:35:37 am
 Not sure how many hives you have but you could take some thin plywood and drive nails or or long staples in it making a kind of pin cushion. Put these in front of your hives entrances this will deter them and skunks both. The coons will move on to easier pickings this way you do not have to handle them or dispatch them. Make sure if you do this you anchor them down this can be acomplished by using a couple of long spike nails. If you don't they will just slide them out of the way and go about there business.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Kathyp on August 02, 2009, 10:57:51 am
Quote
If You use a live trap DON"T bring them out to the country and drop them off


that's why the stock tank suggestion.  we even have people turning horses loose out here.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: poka-bee on August 02, 2009, 08:14:14 pm
It's so sad to see the dumped dogs & cats.  Seldom do they make it past a couple of days with the cars, coyotes & cougars...
I never wanted possum or coon "cooties" in my stock tank so I have a special 33gl garbage oops,  I mean swimming pool just for for them! :evil:
Jody
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: MustbeeNuts on August 02, 2009, 10:13:00 pm
I am dealing with a drop off right now a german shepard, that wandered in, I have fed it ,defleaed it and now it lives under the porch. hmmm anyone want a dog. wife says no way..
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: David LaFerney on August 02, 2009, 11:47:32 pm


 :imsorry:

If You use a live trap DON"T bring them out to the country and drop them off !
We have enough of a problem getting rid of the puppies {drop dogs } that the city people take for a ride and leave by the side of the road, so " they will have a nice home on a farm".
 Sorry that seldom works !

Bee-Bop

That's right - never just drop them at some random location.  Drop them at someone's house that you don't like. At least 10 miles away.

 :)
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: David LaFerney on August 02, 2009, 11:54:22 pm
Not sure how many hives you have but you could take some thin plywood and drive nails or or long staples in it making a kind of pin cushion. Put these in front of your hives entrances this will deter them and skunks both. The coons will move on to easier pickings this way you do not have to handle them or dispatch them. Make sure if you do this you anchor them down this can be acomplished by using a couple of long spike nails. If you don't they will just slide them out of the way and go about there business.

I'm betting carpet tack strips would be just the thing.  I've read many places that either elevating the hive or using top entrances deters skunks and 'coons.  Is this not so?  I hope so because I have many of both types of varmints - so far no hive predation though.  Probably because they don't know what's in there yet.  All I need.

BTW, it can be extremely difficult to live trap a raccoon if it gets wise to you.  Might want to start saving for a solar fence charger.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: G3farms on August 03, 2009, 01:52:22 am
I use the live trap for everything, but since I live in the country (well sort of anyway) I take them to the city and turn them loose, most time to the jobsite I am working on. Let out a coon in the projects one time and will always wonder what happeded to him.

Sorry to say but stray dogs don't last around me, will not tolerate them. Have had to many to get into packs and kill or injure calves.

As far as bait for what ever you are trying to catch, just leave the scat of the previous catch in the trap, they can not resist a good smell of it. It sounds a little weird but it does work, have caught many coons this way, no other bait in the trap.

G3
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: luvin honey on August 03, 2009, 02:49:47 am
We bait our live traps with black licorice in a cut-off soda can. And since we ARE in the country, we don't let them loose :D Hubby shoots them (sorry if that offends anybody) and adds them to our compost pile. Makes gardening a bit gruesome the next year, but that's how we protect our sweetcorn patches around here.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: CBEE on August 03, 2009, 09:29:25 am
Live trap and kill them is the only sure way. I use CB caps which are pretty quiet if you are in a more urban area. Not that my neighbors care anyway. They are glade to see me get rid of them. I have also found that carpet tack strips work fairly well as a deterent.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 03, 2009, 09:33:48 am
I cannot use poison, as I have too many of my own animals, plus the local wildlife I want to keep safe and I think that it would attract the bees too.

I am already a 'victim' of the 'drop 'em off at the farm and they will live happily ever after' idea. I DO live in the country and it seems that each winter I get at least 20 cats dropped off the first blizzard of the season....the cats do not know where to go to keep from freezing and then I find them dead.....ditto with the expectant dogs that are dumped out here.

My problem stems from an elderly couple who FED 'COONS about a mile from me at there country home....then THEY MOVED into town and no longer feed the coons!

So, they found my place and my hives....and are bringing along theire new flock of babies to sample the delights of honey!

I do not have the time right now to put up a proper electric fence....not sure it would work either, as the hives are scattered over a three acre area that has trees close enought together that the coons would figure out how to climb a tree and go tree to tree to get into the hives again. (I used to go coon hunting and seen them do some awesome things to get away from the dogs)

Brenda
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 03, 2009, 09:43:11 am
Live trap and kill them is the only sure way. I use CB caps which are pretty quiet if you are in a more urban area. Not that my neighbors care anyway. They are glade to see me get rid of them. I have also found that carpet tack strips work fairly well as a deterent.

They used to sell the CB caps here, but no longer sell them, or at least I cannot find them....I asked about them about a year ago and the clerk told me that it was not legal to sell them anymore????

Brenda
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: wildbeekeeper on August 03, 2009, 09:55:34 am
Cb caps can still be found in PA - if you cant find those use the "shorts"  they are just as quiet especially at close range out of a long barrel.  Here in PA if you catch a rabies vector species (coon, skunks, opossum, g-hog) you are REQUIRED to euthanize it in some way shape or form....humanely... not that that always happens but thats what the law says.

Coyote or fox urine will help occaisionally but it is more effective on females with young and not so much the big boys :)  plywood with carpet tacks is another good option... just remeber that they are there when you work your hives :)
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: alflyguy on August 03, 2009, 12:39:38 pm
Sorry if I'm dumb but what is a CB cap?
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Keith13 on August 03, 2009, 12:45:46 pm
It is a short 22 caliber round with a minimal amount of powder in it. When it is fired it is not much louder than an air rifle or BB gun. I used to wear out the squirrels in the city with em

Keith
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Scadsobees on August 03, 2009, 01:11:13 pm
Maybe I can send my 9 and 10 yr old boys over.  They recently caught an adolescent coon in our yard by its tail!  (they didn't get any scratches or bites  :roll:)  Dumbbunnies....
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 04, 2009, 06:56:17 pm
Maybe I can send my 9 and 10 yr old boys over.  They recently caught an adolescent coon in our yard by its tail!  (they didn't get any scratches or bites  :roll:)  Dumbbunnies....

You can send them over only if they promise to take the 'coons back home with them! I might even let them have a try at some of the young 'stinkers' that live over on the neighbor's property! A few of them have gotten ran over crossing the road on the way here.....they are just inches long and the cutest little stinkers! I can tell them that they are just striped kittens.... :evil:

I have a BAD problem with coyotes here....they pass through the pastures and right next to the bee hives on a nightly basis; I have seen them running through the yard and pastures 24 hours a day. I think that the use of the coyote urine would only make the coyote problem worse!

If those kids would chase off the coyotes....we might have a good deal going on here. ;)

Brenda

Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 04, 2009, 07:04:15 pm
I did a search on the CB caps under the brand name of 'Mini Mag' (that is what I used to use and buy) and could not find any dealers that sold them in my area.

I had a large boar 'coon tear up a big Havahart live trap a couple of winter's ago and never got another one to replace it with. I also had a big boar 'coon get into the rabbit shed (he ripped apart the wire cages) and he was too big to get into a regular sized live trap. That 'coon got hit on the highway and the feller who picked him up said that it weighed around 35 to 40 pounds!

I also had 'coons try ripping into the honey shed! I found muddy tracks on the side of the door and they had used a tree to get on top of the shed trying to get inside....they tore off some of the shingles in their attempt to get inside.

I put some paneling nails into the entrance reducers on the front of the hives.
I think that it just made them mad as the got into my horse's sweet feed barrel last night. I have hard enough time getting the lid off myself.

I started putting up some electric fencing! If I get anyone from PETA or the like bothering me about the fence, I will tell them that it is to keep the bees in so they make more honey.

Brenda
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: G3farms on August 04, 2009, 09:21:35 pm
I sure hope this is not a typical year for you in keeping bees. You have had a hard go of it this year for sure.

G3
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 05, 2009, 07:23:57 pm
I sure hope this is not a typical year for you in keeping bees. You have had a hard go of it this year for sure.

G3

NO this is not typical at all! In fact, this has been the year from...ah, heck.
I have thought about building a portable trailer set up for my hives, where I can just hook it to the truck and pull them out of harms way! Maybe something over the top to protect them from the elements and aerial spraying too. I would need several trailers, but after this year's bad luck, I am seriously thinking about it....of course with my present luck someone would just hook on to them and steal them!

I used to just let them go and just be 'bees' and things went fine, but this year nothing is normal.

Last night a large possum got hit on the road not far from the bee yard. I just see the 'coon tracks and never once seen a 'possum track, so I guess that it was not bothering the hives. As big as it was, it would have not had any problem getting into some of the nucs.

I seen some tiny birds that I think were wrens trying to get inside the nucs this morning. I am not sure if the wrens where trying to get bees or if they were attracted to something else.

Brenda

Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: beehuntertrapper on August 05, 2009, 11:24:20 pm
Use the box trap and be selective. However, skunks,opossums and coons all get it around my hives. Don't take your problem to someone else "solve it". If you don't have a trap or want to do the deed, contact a trapper or a hunter. It may cost money or permission to hunt on your land or you might get it done for nothing.
These problem animals are not in any danger of becoming an endangered species. In fact there are more of them than ever. This is due to Man breaking up habitat and changing it to what he wants (lots of housing and malls). Their high populations are very destructive to native birds and turtles.

There are still people that love to trap out there, you just have to find them.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: G3farms on August 06, 2009, 02:52:31 am
I still like letting them loose in the middle of town :-D

Let a big skunk go on the construction site and he ran uner a big pile of red iron, would of loved to have seen them big tough iron workers deal with him (even though they would have kicked my butt).

G3
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: David Stokely on August 06, 2009, 09:24:58 am
I was at the local bee guru's and I saw on the entrances of some of his nucs that he had a heavy, but widely spaced wire mesh across the entrances.  When I asked him what that was, he replied that it was a mouse excluder.  I'm not sure where he bought the stuff, but it was obviously widely enough spaced for the bees to easily go in and out, but small enough that a mouse could not get through.  I would also think that would work to keep little paws out.

Just a thought. . .

:)
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 06, 2009, 02:02:36 pm
Last night I had 'coons around the hives in the hay field. They have never visited those hives before. I am going to be nailing up some hardware cloth that I got for 'free'; someone tossed out a large roll of it in the trash this morning.

I just wondered if the zinc or lead solder would get into the honey?

I seen at least twenty 'coons out in the bee yard last night; this is the yard behind my house. Most were adults with a few youngsters in there with their mamas. It looked like the hog pen at feeding time. I tossed a few left over fireworks their way and they high tailed it out of there and into the corn field.

It has been very dry here lately and the river and backwaters are drying up.
The old couple that used to feed the 'coons nolonger feed them, so they are looking at other 'homes' for free handouts and not wanting to forage for their own food anymore. They have became reliant on people feeding them.

Brenda

Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: bee nice on August 06, 2009, 08:45:37 pm
This is my first time on this particular forum and I must say I find it disgusting.  Catch them and then drown them???  Seriously??  I hope you first take the time to remove all of their toenails so they suffer just a bit more.   The poster who shoots them is much more kind (though it's never a good idea to have animals, meat-eating animal scat or by products in compost - the bacteria are not suitable). 

Brenda, I have racoons and they have never bothered my hives.  I have them on stands off the ground 2- 3 feet with rocks on the top.  I've also had mouse guards, but have no problem even in summer when the guards are not on.  Having them raised also keeps out skunks, possums, etc.   

The racoons do sometimes come up and eat some of the birdseed, or cat food if it's still there, but that's all they bother.  The cat doesn't mind them, either.  I agree that the dropping of unwanted animals in country areas is despicable.  Too bad those people can't be caught and dealt with appropriately. The same for those taking wild animals and dropping them in the city. Some people really need decent hobbies. Wild animals certainly do cause occasional problem, which are generally caused in actuality by humans.  Too bad we can't drown those people also.   :roll:  The animals at least are just being animals and trying to get food to survive.  I'm not crazy about coyotes, myself.   However, I do fail to understand the venom on this thread.  IF YOU HATE NATURE SO MUCH, WHY DO YOU LIVE IN THE COUNTRY????

By the way, some of you should concentrate less on illegal and cruel poisons and more on grammar and spelling lessons.   

As for me, I'll go back to forums about beekeeping.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Kathyp on August 06, 2009, 08:53:55 pm
another city idiot heard from.  because of the tree hugging, gun/hunting fear mongers, some of us can't shoot where we live.  poison is indeed cruel and dangerous to other animals.  trapping and moving makes these animals someone elses problem.  drowning is quick and efficient.

come back and talk to us after the 'coons have torn up 100's of dollars of your stuff and killed your bees.  in the real world, we do what we have to do and we do it within the limits that folks like you impose upon us.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Jack on August 06, 2009, 09:08:55 pm
Top entry will work and never fail. You can't get an easier solution and it would be nice if all problems were as easy to solve.

Try it. Best wishes.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: 1of6 on August 06, 2009, 09:17:26 pm
...Yay...

Well, on a positive note David LaFerney says:

...I've read many places that either elevating the hive or using top entrances deters skunks and 'coons.  Is this not so?...

That worked for my skunk problem here in town.  Two cinder blocks high for a hive stand and no more skunk problems.  The other note about a rock (or brick) on top of the lid is right on.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Kathyp on August 06, 2009, 09:19:47 pm
upper entrances help, but are not practical for all of us.  i can not use them here in the winter.  i would rather discourage critters than kill them, but sometimes, no amount of discouraging will work.  so far, my raccoons have left off my hives in favor of dropped fruit, etc.  however, given the size of those i have around, if they decided to get into my hives, i have no doubt they would succeed, or do real damage trying.  in that case, they would have to meet a permanent solution.  
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: bee nice on August 06, 2009, 10:04:25 pm
another city idiot heard from.  because of the tree hugging, gun/hunting fear mongers, some of us can't shoot where we live.  poison is indeed cruel and dangerous to other animals.  trapping and moving makes these animals someone elses problem.  drowning is quick and efficient.

come back and talk to us after the 'coons have torn up 100's of dollars of your stuff and killed your bees.  in the real world, we do what we have to do and we do it within the limits that folks like you impose upon us.

When I came back to the computer I found I had not signed out.  So before I do, let me clarify a few points for the benefit of those who presume to know those they don't.  I don't live in the city.  I grew up in the country and now live on 4 wooded and pastured acres I own surrounded by hundreds of unoccupied acres.  I'm also not an idiot.  I have a PhD and quite a bit of country common sense.  I don't hug trees, though I do enjoy their shade.   Not only am I not a "gun/hunting fear monger", I own a rifle, semi automatic pistol and a shotgun and am more than capable using them.   I support everyone's right to own guns and believe them to be a must have for those of us living in the country.   So no, I actually HAVEN'T prevented you or anyone else from 'shooting where you live', nor have I 'imposed' any limits on you. And if you'd have really read the post PRIOR to spouting off, you'd have seen I said the person that shot the racoons had the better of the lethal options.  I also said I thought moving them somewhere to make them someone else's problem was despicable.   If you think drowning is not cruel, you haven't been close.  Unfortunately, I have.  I was trapped under rapids when my canoe partner panicked.  Thank God, I swam well enough to get out.

I have 47 beehives and repeat that I have not had a problem with them.  Elevating them with a large rock on top WORKS, as do mouse guards.  I have not had equipment torn up for that reason.  So, I am living in the 'real world' - I just obviously do it much better than you.  People ARE supposed to be smarter than animals.  Guess you, KathyP, haven't gotten there yet.   There are natural controls for most wildlife, though I admit dealing with the physical capacity of a bear would be problematic.  For other problems you are not equipped to deal with, I stand by the belief that shooting is the better option.  You are a classic example of an idiot, spouting off and falsely presuming you know where a person lives, who they are, and what they believe regarding guns or anything else without knowing anything about them.  An example also of the venomn I referred to. I did not single anyone out and call them names or presume to know anything about them that I did not.  I simply stated my opinions about the direction the postings had gone.  Why throw a hand grenade at a weed when pulling it out of the garden will do?

This time, I will be sure to sign off.  For those of you who were posting sensible and uncruel solutions, my apologies - neither of my postings were meant for you.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: bee nice on August 06, 2009, 10:07:28 pm
Oh, one last thing.  In case you think I haven't had a problem because I rarely have racoons, I see them every night and some mornings after a rain.  I just prevent them from being problems in my beeyard or gardens.   Dogs and lights scare them away as well.  Or at least my dog did before he died of old age.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: G3farms on August 06, 2009, 10:29:17 pm
post deleted by me. sorry for speaking my mind. did not mean to ruffle any feathers, but I do hate like heck to have to type on eggshells. so much for freedom of speech.

G3
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: 1of6 on August 06, 2009, 10:34:50 pm
Other wiser folks have suggested closing threads in the past.  I think it's time that wisdom once again prevail.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Kathyp on August 06, 2009, 11:09:25 pm
bummer, i'm an idiot.  if a PhD say so, it must be so.  hope i didn't disappoint it with my grammar and spelling.

it did have one valid point.  i should not have assumed it was a tree hugging city dweller.  there are gun toting country folks that are dumb also.  my mistake.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: eivindm on August 07, 2009, 08:12:02 am
OK.  Let's not loose our heads here. We do not tolerate personal attacks and bad naming to other members.  Don't walk closer to the edge.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: beemaster on August 07, 2009, 11:52:57 am
I need to add a few things too here. Bee Nice, you have THREE POSTS and this is how you come in our forums? You don't jump in here, without reading the rules of the forum as stated in several sections, we ask only 2 things really; be nice (which sounds like you should be familiar with since it is the name you chose) and second "Add your location to your profile" which you haven't done.

On both of these, you had better add your location Mr. PHD, I'm sure you'll figure out how, and lastly, you refer to any member in such terms, whether provoked or not, you WILL "Go to other bee forums" as you have stated, because you will be promptly removed from this one. Get along or GET LOST.

KATHYP: I just don't know what to say to you sometimes. You fall to easily into the traps set by those coming in here  (whether returning under a different name - I'll comment on that later) or new off the Web who hasn't taken time to read disclaimers and is working their way toward the door. Please don't fall into their crap, it isn't the first time.

You know I think of you as one of the smartest thinkers I know, and an asset to the forum - but to scold others and not you for name calling makes ME out to be a hypocrite, I just can't do that, you leave me in an awkward position again.

I ask you to please ignore people you find to be idiots, fools, morons, rejects, city folk, numbskull's, terrorists, stool-pigeons, bungie-jumpers or anyone else who winds up your clock ESPECIALLY in GENERAL BEEKEEPING. I can see a topic getting out of hand in Coffee House and it going a step to far, but NOW after each of you have read this, this post is going away.

Both of you, and trust me Bee Nice, you have earned no clout here at all, just the opposite, we are watching you and I highly doubt you will survive here if this is how you interact with our members. KathyP knows better, but occasionally lets her passions of civil rights (something we lose more of every day) get the best of her and she vents. I hope you both keep your distance from each other if you cannot talk in peace.

By the way Dr. Bee Nice... If you have any trouble with my grammar or spelling, then maybe I'll send it to you in Gregg Shorthand or Morse Code, I speak those languages too. Whatever is needed to get across to you, be nice or be gone!
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Kathyp on August 07, 2009, 11:55:10 am
sorry.  i'll go dye my hair black and sit in the ashes for awhile. 
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: beemaster on August 07, 2009, 12:04:42 pm
Long as you clean up before Bud's Gathering :)

Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Scadsobees on August 07, 2009, 01:41:42 pm
hokey-smokin-cadoodleboppers!  we have a coon fight! :-D :pop:

Ok, maybe some explainations and eddication are in order...I don't have a phD, but I don't think one is necessary in the field of animal control  ;)

I'm sure we all know that there are no GOOD, nice, pain-free solutions.

Trapping is for the coons that don't kindly mill around at certain times, allowing you to calmly picking them off.  It is rather inconvenient to sit out in the bee yard at dusk hoping that they stop by, and then doing that for a week when they don't, only to have them stop by on the night you finally get sick of it and skip.

So you set a trap out, and now have an angry, snarling coon in there. 
We can let it go at somebody else's property, but I don't think that there are any raccoon preserves out there, so it would be irresponsible to make it somebody else's problem.  Raccoons aren't endangered...

A bullet will dispatch the coon quickly, but how to do that?  Probably any good killing shot will also have the bullet going through the coon's head..and what is it going to hit on the other side?  the metal trap?  Then we have a ricochetting bullet, which has a good chance of coming straight back at the shooter. :sheeple:

So we don't want to shoot the coon.  That leaves A). Poison :thunder: B). Clubbing :deadhorse: and C). drowning :drowning:.  Getting a stressed coon to eat is going to be tricky, and it still could take some time for the poison to kill it...poisoning a caged coon = bad.  Clubbing it is very messy, not to mention the logistics of getting the coon out and trying to club it without it getting away or biting you.  Not to mention rather painful for the coon.  So that is bad too.

Drowning... I'm sure everybody will agree it is very unpleasant.  But it is over quite quickly, and it isn't messy.  I've never been drowned, so while I understand an extreme panicy feeling, I don't think it causes pain.

And if you need to get rid of a skunk, I don't want to be next to the cage shooting it.  But if it were underwater.....

But if you want to start a raccoon preserve, I'm sure you'll have plenty of takers.... :-D

And now its time for ....  :rainbowflower:   :camp:   :rainbowflower:   ... I'll shutup now...
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Robo on August 07, 2009, 01:47:03 pm
Wow Rick!!!  I think you just won the "Best use of Smiley's in a Post"  Award.......
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Vibe on August 07, 2009, 03:09:39 pm

a bullet will dispatch the coon quickly, but how to do that?  Probably any good killing shot will also have the bullet going through the coon's head..and what is it going to hit on the other side?  the metal trap?  Then we have a ricocheting bullet, which has a good chance of coming straight back at the shooter.
Not at all true if any thought at all is given to proper use of caliber. A 22 revolver and proper shot placement will have none of those "nasty" side effects. In fact AR Game and Fish laws limit the legal caliber or night hunting to use of the 22 SHORT cartridge ONLY.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: G3farms on August 07, 2009, 05:22:50 pm
KP don't forget the sac cloth either :-D

I'm with you on your thoughts but the forum rules our words and we have to play nice, bummer. :rulez: :whip:

Anyway Robo you still got a good site going here.

G3
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: David LaFerney on August 07, 2009, 06:02:24 pm


So we don't want to shoot the coon.  That leaves a). Poison :thunder: B). Clubbing :deadhorse: and C). drowning :drowning:. 

How about poking with a pointy stick?  Too bad arrow poison frogs are so hard to come by.

Seriously - good points, well made.

I really do usually take them to someone I don't like.  :-D
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 08, 2009, 10:53:18 am
Oh so sorry this turned into a 'coonfight'....hey, I liked that one! But it did get out of control....I do share the thoughts that some of you posted, so we canot all be wrong here.

I want to thank the mods for speaking up and not letting this get too bad. I did not want to start any fights, as I just wanted to see what others were doing about 'coons tearing up hives....and most of all, what really works!

I figured up that my losses are pretty high already. I am not sure of what size the boar 'coons are in anyone else's areas, but here they have been fed well by the human population and nolonger hunt or range for their groceries. They would rather rip apart a hive or ALUMINUM door to get something to eat. (Last night, they attacked the house while I was gone and broke in through the bottom of the NEW ALUMINUM storm door to get into where my outside kitties sleep at night!) My night camera caught them in the act and there was a total of six 'coons that entered onto my porch! They must have given my cats some fights too, as they were still very upset when I got home and found out what had happened.

I like to sleep with the bedroom window open, so I can imagine what I would have to do if one came through the screen while I was sleeping.

I had mouse guards over the entrances on some of the new hives that I just built and painted. THere are 'coon tracks all over them where they tried to get into the hives...their prints show up well against the new white paint. I also have concrete blocks on top for weights. If they want in, they will work at it until they gain entry.

The proplem that I have now is from the fact that some 'well meaning' old folks fed 'coons for the past twenty some years and now they are not feeding them anymore. The coon population is grown too large for them to find enough food and they are bothering my property.

Dogs are not an option for me. They poisoned the last two good dogs right in my own yard.

I guess that I better shut up before I end up going out and buying some black hair dye with KathyP.

Brenda
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: David LaFerney on August 08, 2009, 12:01:02 pm
Seriously RebelRose there has actually been a lot of good information in this thread, but it really sounds like you are already doing all the right things.  Secure everything so that your place is NOT a source of an easy meal, and they will move on.  This time of year you still have young of the year that are foraging along with their mothers.  At some point in the fall she will push them out on their own and they will disperse - then you will be back to the minor annoyance of a normal local population. 

The year after we divested ourselves of dogs (kids grown, and gone - not enough time and attention to be good owners) we had a large population of 'coons that homed in on cat food.  We moved it into the garage, then we put it in a metal trash can, now we tie down the lid of the can and only feed what the fatcats can clean up in a short time.  They're still a nuisance, but only a minor one.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 08, 2009, 02:20:49 pm
DL, I greatly appreciate the help from the good folks on here. There are just so many 'coons, (and a few 'possums are coming around now too) that I am pulling out my hair.

There are a lot of coyotes that pass right by the house and barn, as well as the bee yards. I had hoped that they would be some help to run off the 'coons, like dogs do. Not so!

I am going to put up more electric fence today, around the house!

I feed the cats inside the porch at night and do not leave out any feed or garbage to attract them. They can smell honey away from the bee yard just like I do and I like the smell too!

Brenda
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: hpm08161947 on August 08, 2009, 04:53:05 pm
Brenda - I can not help but notice how similar your problems with coons and oppossums are to mine.... or at least how mine used to be.   I mean - I live so far back in the country it is not funny - this is where people come to hunt coons at night ( a popular activity around here) - but it still did not put a dent in out coon/oppossum population.  The solution came a coupla years ago when a friend gave us an old Red Bone (said he was too old for the hunt).  Every night this old hound lays out near the fields with his nose in the air - just hoping for a hint of coon - if he gets it he's off trailing and howling, he's really something to watch.  I believe he loves his retirement home.

At anyrate - our coon and possum problems have gone away.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 08, 2009, 07:12:12 pm
hpm08161947,

I wish that I could keep a dog, but like I said before, the last two were poisoned right here in my own yard. I hate to get another dog and have the same thing happen to it. Okay, I am a hopeless animal lover.... :-D

I live out in the middle of nowhere too, but I am surrounded by farmland and veggies. Lots of things to attract the critters, but they got used to being fed by the old folks, so they head right to my place! I am sick of the 'coon poo on top of the hives in the mornings!  :shock: Those are some big 'coons!

I guess that I will be back to building more electric fences and buying more mouse and 'coon proof entrance covers. 

I also want to thank everyone for the help and ideas that they have posted here. I cannot wait until fur season! The way those 'coons been eating so well, they will have prime fur this winter! I might be able to get back some of the losses by going into the fur business!

Brenda
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: poka-bee on August 08, 2009, 08:17:35 pm
Brenda Now I want to see a pic of you in your coon-skin hat, boots & coat!!  Some of the boars are huge around here too, poo bigger than my dogs!  I've seen em bigger than my aussie & they will kill a dog if given the chance or are cornered.  Once one reached through the chain link in my chix holding pen & pulled guineas out piece by piece...went out in the am & 2 were gone, all that was left on the outside were a few feathers & a foot, nothing on the inside of the pen except a little blood where they pulled the parts through!  Sounds like you have done all you can, if they are destroying your property........ :jerry:    :jail:   :drowning:   :-X
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 08, 2009, 08:29:30 pm
poka-bee,

That is what the 'coons did to my rabbits in my 'windows closed in with wire' and supposed to be 'thief proof' rabbitry! I had them kill over 64 kits/bunnies by ripping them through the wires. Then I had a problem with weasels in the chicken house this summer too...but I solved that..I sold the chickens!

I think that the bigger 'coons are working in teams to get the tops off of the hives! My whacked out neighbors just told me that last night they sit on their porch outside and WATCHED two big 'coons on top of one hive....sure enough, the block was knocked off and they got into the top two supers...I told them next time to give me a holler when they seen 'coons doing something like that!  :roll: Their excuse was that they did not want to bother me at that late of hour; it was around 8:30 pm......I am up until at least mid-nite and they know it too!

Does anyone know if 'coons are immune to bee stings? They have to get lots of stings grabbing the honey.

Brenda

Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: poka-bee on August 08, 2009, 09:01:24 pm
I think between the guard hairs & undercoat very few stings actually get to them except for the face..wonder if they swell up like we do..heh heh heh...that way you would know which were in your hives!  Are there any trees by your beeyard? They can get around the electric fence by climbing trees & coming down branches into wherever they want to be. Those big ones probably won't go anywhere for awhile or as long as they think there may be something to eat.  Amazing how strong & persistant they are.
Jody
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 08, 2009, 11:46:34 pm
I just counted 19 'coons at once messing around my bee yard next to my house. I have some trees that they can climb up, but I put a maze of electric fence around the hives today. Those 'coons must be slow learners, as they will touch the fence, get shocked, stand up and growl at it, then do it again and again....they are repeat offenders for sure.

You know, if I make a 'coon skin hat, etc. and actually put it on....someone would shoot me as they would think that I was BIGFOOT with all that hair!
On the other hand, the big boar 'coons would think I was one big, bad sow!
Might keep them out of the bee yard next year!

Brenda
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: poka-bee on August 08, 2009, 11:52:07 pm
They sound like an episode of the Simpsons....Maybe we will see you on Monster Quest! :evil:  OOh My, those boars might get "too friendly",  bringing you flowers & animal parts....." :shock: Not good for you!
Jody
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Keith13 on August 09, 2009, 10:39:37 am
I just counted 19 'coons at once messing around my bee yard next to my house. I have some trees that they can climb up, but I put a maze of electric fence around the hives today. Those 'coons must be slow learners, as they will touch the fence, get shocked, stand up and growl at it, then do it again and again....they are repeat offenders for sure.

You know, if I make a 'coon skin hat, etc. and actually put it on....someone would shoot me as they would think that I was BIGFOOT with all that hair!
On the other hand, the big boar 'coons would think I was one big, bad sow!
Might keep them out of the bee yard next year!

Brenda

I don't know about that one. If one of those boar coons took a liking to you you might really have a coon problem ;)

Keith
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Vibe on August 09, 2009, 01:20:30 pm
That population really needs thinning back. Either have the State animal control folks trap some of them out or get JP and KathyP to come over and practice their archery. A good stout 22 cal pellet rifle would work if inside an incorporated city limits, other wise a 22 or shotgun might be called for. Shotgun would be better for it's lack of range. The noise might disturb the neighbors, but with if they had though of you as much .....Well lets just say that I .personally. would not worry if it disturbed those neighbors that seemed to be getting so much entertainment from seeing my property destroyed.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: slaphead on August 09, 2009, 02:18:55 pm
Rebel Rose,

It would be a pain to deal with but screwing down the lids, attaching mouse guards or half inch hardware cloth with screws to cover the entrances and stapling the hive boxes together until the raccoons give up trying and their population density returns to normal might be one of the cheapest and most effective options in your extreme situation.

Of course if you are a good shot with a rifle....

SH
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 09, 2009, 07:07:58 pm
I think that I will get some wood screws and take my DeWalt drill out there to makes things go faster.

Then start plinking them off this fall after the furs are prime.....I hope the fur prices are good...I want to make back some of the money that I lost.

At this point in time, I do not care what my neighbor's think if they hear gunshots! I was here first! This is also the same neighbor that had the trees fall onto my hives in the tornado.....he had to leave when I starte talking to him about his trees falling on my property!

Brenda
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Kathyp on August 09, 2009, 09:43:30 pm
hook the tractor to the tree and drag  the thing over to his front porch.  send him a bill for the hives.  his trees.  his responsibility.  most of the time i wouldn't get nasty about trees.  they fall under the SH rule for me.  one time i had a neighbors oak go down on my fences.  he went out and cleaned up the mess on his property, cut the tree, took the wood, and left the rest of it hanging on my fence and in my arena.  i returned his tree to him.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 09, 2009, 10:38:33 pm
kathyp,

This guy is having a bright blue metal roof put onto his 100 year old plus farm home. The yard is full of nails and roofing that the roofers tore off and let fall where it may. I also found out that he is going to put matching bright blue siding on the house to match the roof! I would probably do more damage to the tires than I would be at getting the point across to him.

I get hacked on all of the time now, as I live next to the SMURF HOUSE!

This feller drives a truck over the road in only home (as a rule) on the weekends....you never see him in the daylight....it was just chance that I caught them outside and he told me about the 'coons. They are leaving tonight in the truck.

I guess that I need to post some pics of this house sometime...to lighten up things a bit.

Brenda

Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Vibe on August 10, 2009, 03:21:43 pm
I would guess that it is a good thing that it is "Smurf" blue - as opposed to UN blue. Otherwise the whole thread could get moved to the Coffee House or farther.
Title: Re: Now I Have a 'Coon Problem
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on August 10, 2009, 03:46:31 pm
I would guess that it is a good thing that it is "Smurf" blue - as opposed to UN blue. Otherwise the whole thread could get moved to the Coffee House or farther.

Don't even think such thoughts.....a friend on mine took pics of UN vehicles on the back of a flatbed going down the Interstate.

The 'coon problems are bad enough and so are the jerks from PETA, etc. It seems like our honey factories attract everything we do not need!

Brenda