At this point, you’ve probably learned more information than you can remember in your beekeeping journey. Many beekeepers check their hives once a month to make sure that small bugs like varroa mites and hive beetles are not living there. However, those aren’t the only pests that can wreak havoc on your colony. Find out how to keep skunks and other pests out of your apiary so that you don’t lose bees or damage your hives.
Do Skunks Eat Bees? The Sweet and Sour Truth
Bees are known for their honey production and pollination services, but they also make for a tasty snack for opportunistic wildlife. Skunks are one such opportunistic eater that views bee hives as an all-you-can-eat bug buffet. So do skunks eat bees? The short answer is yes, skunks are very fond of feeding on bees and view beehives as a convenient source of this sweet treat.
Skunks are omnivorous scavengers and will eat almost anything they can find, including insects like bees. Here’s an overview of the skunk diet and how bees satisfy their taste for something sugary.
An Overview of the Skunk Diet
Skunks are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diverse diet includes:
- Insects: Bees, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, worms
- Plant matter: Corn, fruits, berries, seeds, roots
- Small mammals: Voles, moles, rats, mice
- Eggs: Bird eggs
- Reptiles: Snakes, lizards
- Amphibians: Frogs, salamanders
- Garbage/carrion
Skunks employ various tactics to acquire their next meal. They dig holes to uncover grubs and worms, scratch and dig to reach rodent nests, and climb trees to access bird eggs.
Their sharp sense of smell helps them sniff out food sources like insect nests and small burrowing rodents. And they aren’t afraid to rummage through human garbage looking for an easy snack.
Overall, skunks are resourceful omnivores and eat whatever is readily available, including the occasional bee feast when they stumble upon a hive.
Why Skunks Love to Eat Bees
The skunk’s affection for eating bees comes down to a few key factors:
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Bees provide a sugary treat. The honey and larvae inside hives offer a sweet, energizing snack.
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Hives provide an abundant food source. A single hive contains thousands of bees, allowing the skunk to gorge.
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Skunks can safely eat bees. Their thick fur protects them from most stings.
Skunks use their long claws and front paws to scratch at hive entrances, provoking guard bees. When the bees emerge to inspect the threat, the skunk simply consumes them. The skunk may spend several hours snacking on bees from a single hive.
Some beekeepers have reported skunks causing major damage and destroying hives to access the honey and larvae within. So for apiaries, skunks can become a nuisance pest.
But for the opportunistic skunk, bees represent an irresistible combination of convenience, abundance, and sweet, golden honey. It’s no wonder they go to great lengths to raid hives and feast on the inhabitants within.
Protecting Beehives From Hungry Skunks
For beekeepers struggling with skunks raiding hives, there are a few deterrent options:
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Place hives on stands at least 3 feet off the ground and away from structures where skunks can gain access.
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Install electric fencing around the hive area to shock skunks and deter entry.
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Use motion-activated lights and sounds to startle skunks away from hives at night.
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Apply pet repellents with foul tastes/smells around hive entrances. Reapply frequently.
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Seal any openings larger than 1/4 inch in the hive boxes to prevent skunks from tearing them open.
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Set up trail cameras to monitor hive activity and see which skunks visit so they can be deterred.
Fortunately, most skunks quickly learn that bee stings hurt and become reluctant to attack a hive after an unpleasant first encounter. Exclusion techniques like sealing entrances and elevating hives can effectively protect bees over the long-term.
A Brief Guide to Skunk Diet and Feeding
In captivity, skunks should be fed a balanced diet consisting of:
- High-quality cat/ferret kibble for protein and nutrients
- Mealworms, crickets, eggs for added protein
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Occasional treats like boiled chicken, yogurt, or honey
Avoid feeding skunks insects from your garden or raw honey from your hives. This encourages them to target these areas. An occasional honey treat is fine though.
Skunks should not be fed:
- Chocolate, sweets, junk food (due to fat/sugar content)
- Spicy/salty human foods
- Bones
- Dairy products
- Onions, avocado
In the wild, skunks eat a widely varied diet opportunistically. Captive skunks rely on their owners to provide a nutritious, species-appropriate diet. Be sure to include plenty of protein and research proper skunk nutrition.
The Bottom Line
Skunks are omnivores and eat a wide variety of foods, including our precious pollinators. They are drawn to the abundance, nutrition, and sweet taste of honey and bee larvae inside hives. Skunks are crafty raiders and will go to great lengths for this sugary treat, much to the chagrin of beekeepers. Fortunately, there are ways to deter skunks and protect your buzzing workforce. So while skunks do enjoy eating bees, you can take steps to keep them at bay and your hives safe from harm.
Skunks Prey on Honeybees
Many animals bother honeybees because they want the honeycomb, but skunks go after your hives to eat the bees. When they find a hive, skunks will scratch at it every night until the adult bees come out. They’ll catch the bees, chew on them for their juices, and spit them out. That being said, if you see honeybee remains outside the hive in the morning, it could be a skunk.
Consider installing fencing around your beehive or elevating it to protect it from skunks. Interestingly, skunks most likely won’t climb over a fence or try to reach an elevated hive. If a skunk stands on its hind legs to get to a hive, bees could sting its belly. Because of this, it won’t bother climbing to get to your bees.
Skunk Eating My Bees: Vlog 4/16/18
FAQ
Do skunks dig up bees?
How to protect bees from skunks?
What is the biggest enemy of the honey bee?
Are skunks immune to bee stings?
How do skunks eat a beehive?
They employ a scratching technique to get access to the beehive. When the bees investigate the scratch, they come out of the beehive and become easy prey for the skunks. Skunks eat insects; they chew bees, remove the juices from their bodies, and then spit out the remaining solid pieces. They also do significant damage to the beehive.
Do skunks eat bees?
Skunks do, in fact, devour bees. They are incredibly cunning in how they lure the bees to leave their hives. They employ a scratching technique to get access to the beehive. When the bees investigate the scratch, they come out of the beehive and become easy prey for the skunks.
What do skunks eat?
Skunks are omnivores and are very adaptable in their diet. However, their favorite food consists of small prey and insects, especially in summer and spring. Plants are usually eaten when food is scarce. In Winter, when food is extremely sparse skunks may invade garbage and trash for food.
Do skunks eat rodents?
Skunks tend to eat rodents during the colder months of the year. This is because their usual protein source of insects is lying dormant. Smaller rodents are easier for skunks to catch and eat. They may eat larger rodents if they are injured or diseased and unable to flee.
Do skunks eat fruit?
Fruit and veg keep skunks healthy by providing them with nutrients and vitamins as well as a good source of fiber. As skunks aren’t great climbers they’ll opt for crops that are ground level. Usually, this means root vegetables and berries. They can access other fruit which has fallen off of trees.
Are skunks a danger to bees and hives?
Skunks and other predators are always a danger to bees and their hives. To avoid losses, protection against these predators must be prioritized from the start. Understanding habits and needs of skunks can prevent destruction of beehives and other unpleasant encounters.