A few updates and my new quick electric bee fence

If you didnt go to the VSBA meeting this weekend, you missed out. Some high points some low points, but overall worth the cost and two days. I went to two good friends, met up with a few more, and really enjoyed my time. I find it dishearting that there was over 200 folks there, the meetings only occur twice a year, but yet the highest number from any club was 16 attending, and these clubs have hundreds of members. Whats wrong with this picture? i understand people have things to do, but you learn so much from these meetings that help everyone, i even learned how to make soap!!! I just find it odd that folks seem so interested in doing better and learning more about bees, but are not willing to take the day and up to a 2-3 hour drive to socialize and learn far more than they can in a local club, just simply by talking to so many different people. If you go to these meetings talk to others and dont stay to yourself, you learn more by asking question and actualy being a part of these meetings than simply just going to them. It is what it is, but its ashame so many folks missed out. Maybe youl make it to the fall meeting in Wyers cave VA at Blueridge College...

Well after some discussions at the VSBA meeting this weekend, i decided i needed to get off my lazy rump and atleast protect my most expensive queens and 17 hives from bears, after all i have had everything to do it for a year now...

Anyway, i wanted to show everyone how i build a quick electric fence, this is by no means the only way. is this the best way? NO, its not, you should use strong wooden corner post with tensioners and porcelin corner insulaters for strength and a better solar charger. But i didnt have time to plant cedar post etc. NO fence will hold back a bear if he/she wants to get in, but this should deter the snoopper...

You can also see the quick and easy handle arrangments i use, they work great on low tension fences like this.

The charger i am using is not the best and i prefer a stronger charger, but its all i have right now. You really need a large solar charger usually around $300 or a good AC or DC battery charger, these are cheaper, especially the AC ones. The small one i have is better than nothing and is ok, but it doesnt stop or skip your heart, i can grab the wire bare handed, although not fun, not terriably painful, but should pop a bears nose good.