As Wisconsin’s black bear population expands south, beekeepers across the state are seeing a surge in damage to their hives.
Nick Thill, a West Bend beekeeper and chairman of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s Bear Committee, says the problem has intensified far beyond the state’s traditional “bear country.”
“Beekeepers are seeing more and more damage due to black bears,” he says.
What does that damage look like? Thill explains that the the animals tear apart colonies not just for honey, but for the protein-rich young bees inside. It’s a valuable source of nutrients for sows. Damage costs can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per incident when factoring in lost honey production, destroyed equipment, and missed pollination contracts.
The Bear Committee formed five years ago and has since secured a seat on the Wisconsin DNR’s Black Bear Advisory Committee. This gives beekeepers a formal voice as wildlife officials assess population trends and policy options.
Thill, who has personally experienced bear destruction in his own bee yards, says prevention tools help but aren’t foolproof.
“Our best defense right now is electric fences… but it’s not a perfect system,” he explains, citing cloudy weather and determined bears as ongoing challenges.
For now, the association is urging beekeepers to report all bear encounters to USDA Wildlife Services to build stronger data and push for future rule or legislative changes. As bear territory continues to shift south, even into more urban counties like Waukesha, Thill says beekeepers simply want their concerns recognized and addressed.
