"Mary Fisher" wrote after
"Edward O' Brien" wrote ...
I have a problem with slugs getting into my hive(s). I am surprised they
get past the bees and was wondering if anyone knows

a) how they get in?

they crawl in, silently and creating no disturbance.

B) is there anything i should use or more importantly not use as i don't
want to damage the bees health.

I never bothered doing anything about it. I picked them out and discarded
them if I found them. As far as I was concerned they weren't a problem in
hives.

There is only a quiet bees newsgroup and was wondering if there are any
beekeepers in his ng.

I kept bees in Yorkshire for 25 years, I gave up about three or four years
ago because of arthritis in my hands, it's not safe for me or the bees to
hold a frame. I've seen too many old beekeepers carry on no matter how
crippled and the bees suffered, I wasn't going to let that happen to my
bees.

I am a beginner with bees and my friend has never experienced slugs in 25
years.

Either he's lucky or he hasn't been observant enough. I've seen almost
everything which can get into an entrance inside a hive.

I am in Glasgow in the Central Scottish belt if that is relevant, - A
'temperate' climate. Hives are located beside a rhubarb patch.

If you want to prevent slugs a mouseguard might be useful but not 100%
effective because some slugs are smaller than the holes.

I don't think slugs do much damage in a hive. Mice do far more damage.

Talk to Eric McArthur about it, he'll have an opinion. And tell him I told
you to :-)

Not a Bee keeper but...
They sell them to put round your Hostas etc so why not a copper band around
all entrances to a hive, that would keep all slugs and snails out as they
won't cross copper. How it would effect the bees I have no idea but if it
was far enough away from their landing spot they shouldn't come in contact
with it.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
17mls W. of London.UK