Skunks consume bees, making them a concern for beekeepers. These opportunistic omnivores view bees, especially their protein-rich larvae and pupae, as a food source. While not exclusively bee-eaters, these insects can become a regular part of their diet, particularly when hives are easily accessible.
The Skunk’s Varied Diet
Skunks maintain a broad and adaptable diet, allowing them to thrive in various environments. As opportunistic omnivores, they consume both plant and animal matter depending on availability. Their diet includes insects like grubs, crickets, and beetles, often dug from the ground with their strong front claws.
Beyond insects, skunks hunt small rodents, birds, and their eggs. Fruits, berries, nuts, and carrion also supplement their meals. Bees fit into this dietary context as one of many insect sources, but skunks are not solely dependent on them. Their ability to adapt their food intake based on seasonal availability highlights their flexible feeding habits.
How Skunks Consume Bees and Handle Stings
Skunks employ specific behaviors to access bee colonies. They approach beehives at night, when bees are less active, and scratch the entrance. This provokes guard bees to emerge, which the skunk snatches. Evidence includes scratch marks on the lower hive and bee remnants, like exoskeletons, outside the hive. Skunks often suck out the bees’ internal contents, discarding the rest.
Skunks have natural defenses allowing them to handle bee stings with impunity. Their thick fur protects against most stings. While sensitive areas like their nose or eyes remain vulnerable, skunks tolerate stings, possibly due to some venom immunity. Observations show skunks can have stingers in their mouths, esophagi, and stomachs without being deterred.
Protecting Bee Colonies from Skunks
Protecting beehives from skunks involves physical deterrents and management practices. Elevating beehives on stands is an effective method, with a height of at least 18 to 24 inches off the ground often recommended. This forces skunks to stand on their hind legs to reach the hive entrance, exposing their vulnerable underbelly to stings from the bees. This discourages repeated visits.
Another strategy involves placing physical barriers around the hive. Beekeepers can use wire mesh or “nail boards” (plywood with upward-protruding nails or screws) in front of the hive entrance. These make it uncomfortable for skunks to approach and scratch. Fencing, such as poultry netting, can also be installed around the apiary, buried a few inches into the ground to prevent skunks from digging underneath. Removing other potential food sources, like pet food or fallen fruit, can also reduce their presence.