Black bears are often depicted with an insatiable craving for honey. While they do consume honey, their diet is more diverse than commonly understood. Their occasional raids on beehives are driven by a wider range of nutritional needs, not solely a sweet tooth.
What Black Bears Really Eat
Black bears are omnivores, meaning their diet consists of both plants and animals. Their feeding habits are highly opportunistic, adapting to the seasonal availability of various food sources.
In spring, after emerging from hibernation, they primarily consume fresh vegetation like tender shoots, grasses, and young leaves. They also seek out insects and their larvae, along with carrion.
As summer progresses, their diet shifts to an abundance of fruits and berries, including raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Nuts like acorns and hazelnuts become important sources of fats and proteins. Insects and their larvae continue to be a dietary staple.
Occasionally, black bears may hunt small mammals or fish to supplement their intake. In the fall, they enter a phase of hyperphagia, intensely eating to build fat reserves for winter hibernation, consuming high-calorie nuts, berries, and carrion.
Why Beehives Attract Bears
When a black bear encounters a beehive, its primary interest extends beyond just the honey. While honey offers a quick source of sugar, the greater attraction lies in the protein-rich bee larvae and pupae. These immature bees provide concentrated fat and protein, crucial for a bear’s nutritional needs, especially for building fat reserves. Adult bees also contribute to this protein intake.
A bear’s thick fur and tough hide offer significant protection against bee stings, though their faces and ears can still be vulnerable. Despite the stings, the nutritional reward from the larvae and pupae makes the effort worthwhile. Bears will tear apart hives to access these components, consuming the brood and some honey before moving on.
Living Safely with Bears
Living in or visiting bear country requires proactive measures to minimize human-bear conflicts, especially concerning food attractants. Secure food waste by storing garbage in bear-resistant containers or indoors until collection day. Clean barbecue grills after each use and avoid leaving food scraps or grease outdoors. Pet food should always be fed indoors or removed immediately after outdoor feeding.
For those with beehives, implementing protective measures is important. Electric fences are effective deterrents when properly installed and maintained, with a minimum of 5,000 volts recommended. Placing beehives at least 300 feet from forest edges can also reduce the likelihood of bear encounters, as treelines offer bears cover. Regularly harvesting honey can make hives less appealing to foraging bears. These strategies help keep bears wild and reduce the potential for property damage or dangerous interactions.