Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[Trip]

How do people keep mice from making a home under the roof and on top of the top bars?

I have gabled roofs and every winter mice like to make a home in the space on top of the bars and under the roofing insulation.

The mice do not get into the hives but make a mess on top of the bars and I don't like the idea of the mice pooing and peeing on top of my bees and their honey all winter long.

[rmcpb]

Why don't you just put some mesh over the openings to stop them getting in but to allow air circultaion?

Cheers
Rob.

[trekmate]

Plastic plant pots split and fitted part-way up the legs, open end down? (assuming your hive has legs!).

[R Payne]

You have to block the opening the mice are using. This can be a hole less than an inch (2.5 cm) across. Finding all the potential openings can be time consuming and frustrating. A stout mesh, securely attached, can block the openings.

Or get a cat.

ron

[madasafish]

I paint hive legs with an oily compound which never dries. It stinks to begin with.

Bees don't mind it.

Never seen a mouse in a hive despite living beside fields and hedges and woods- lots of mice...