Netting over apiary

Install bird-exclusion netting over your apiary to create a physical barrier against bee-eaters. Use lightweight netting with a mesh size of 20-30 mm, which blocks birds while allowing bees to pass through freely. Support the netting on poles or a frame structure, keeping it at least 30 cm above the hive tops to prevent bee entanglement.

Why It Works

Bee-eaters are aerial hunters that swoop down to catch bees in flight near hive entrances. A properly installed net physically prevents them from reaching the bees' flight path, forcing them to hunt elsewhere. This is the most reliable long-term defense against bee-eater predation.

Tips

• Anchor netting securely at ground level to prevent birds from entering underneath
• Inspect netting weekly for tears or sagging that could trap bees
• Use UV-stabilized netting to prevent degradation in sunlight
• Ensure the mesh is taut to prevent birds from pushing through