Outside-hive pests are creatures that attack the hive from outside or prey on the bees. The harm they do depends less on their size than on persistence and pressure.

Insects

• Hornets: Take bees individually. The European hornet generally causes tolerable damage
• Invasive hornets: Hover in front of the hive and catch returning foragers. The main damage is not the number taken but stopping the colony flying
• Wasps: Arrive in numbers in late summer and can finish a weak colony within days
• Ants: Attracted by sugar and dead bees; a problem in weak colonies and nucs

Birds

Some species take bees in front of the entrance or in flight. This is generally not at a level that threatens a colony; but in periods of intense predation the loss of foragers is felt.

Birds are protected in many places; the right response is to review the hive site rather than to control the birds.

Mammals

• Mice: Enter the hive in winter, gnaw comb and build nests. A mouse guard prevents this entirely
• Large animals: Knock hives over to reach the comb. Where they occur, electric fencing is the common solution
• Grazing livestock: Rub against hives and knock them over; fencing is needed

Common measures

• Keep the colony strong. A strong colony defends its entrance
• Reduce the entrance. It shrinks the area to be defended; the single most effective measure
• Fit a mouse guard. Once the cluster forms nobody guards the entrance
• Keep the apiary clean. Spilt honey and extraction waste attract all of them
• Raise and secure the hive
• Unite weak colonies

About traps

Sugar-baited traps are not selective; they catch honey bees, bumblebees and beneficial insects as well.

If they are used they should be placed away from the apiary and be of a selective design. A trap does not replace reducing the entrance.

Reporting

Invasive species are notifiable in many countries. On a suspected sighting, photograph it and inform the competent authority; that is the only real way of limiting spread.