Electric Fence Workshop

Name: Electric Fence Workshop
Start: 2025-08-09T09:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-08-09T12:00:00-04:00
Location: Boulder Knoll Bee Yard

Sat, Aug 09

Boulder Knoll Bee Yard

Learn how to protect your hives from black bears in this hands-on Bee Yard workshop!

Time & Location

Aug 09, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT

Boulder Knoll Bee Yard, 875 Boulder Rd, Cheshire, CT 06410, USA

Event Details

So far this year, there have been 660 black bear sightings across Connecticut towns. Your bee yard could be next! The Connecticut Beekeepers Association strongly recommends every beekeeper considers installing a protective electric fence.

Whether you’ve already spotted a bear near your hives or simply want to be proactive, join us for a hands-on workshop this Saturday, August 9th, at 9:00 AM. You’ll learn everything you need to know to design and install an effective electric fence that deters hungry bears.

This is a participatory installation, so come prepared to learn by helping with simple tasks. Bring water and a snack to stay comfortable.

The design we’ll be installing was recommended and demonstrated by Outreach Wildlife Biologists from the CT DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources at a recent workshop.

We look forward to an informative and engaging event that will help protect your bees and give you peace of mind!

Led by Bill Hesbach, CBA President

Bill is an Eastern Apicultural Society Certified Master Beekeeper, graduate of the University of Montana's master beekeeping program, and president of the Connecticut Beekeepers Association. He teaches bee biology and various beekeeping methods, and appears as a guest speaker at local and regional beekeeping seminars. Bill has been published in Bee Culture, Bee Craft, and The American Bee Journal, and was presented the Distinguished Speaker Award at the 2019 EAS conference. Special interests include bee biology and flight, and the connection between local flora and bee behavior.

IMPORTANT: All participants at our bee yard activities or any other CBA-sponsored event involving live bees must bring their own personal protective equipment designed specifically for beekeeping. Participants are responsible for ensuring they have complete coverage of bare skin with light-colored clothing (nothing black) and must wear a proper bee veil or bee suit and closed-toed shoes at all times. Bees sting and inject venom, so if you are concerned about your reaction, please consult a physician before attending.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

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All participants at our bee yard activities or any other CBA-sponsored event involving live bees must bring their own personal protective equipment designed specifically for beekeeping. Participants are responsible for ensuring they have complete coverage of bare skin with light-colored clothing (nothing black) and must wear a proper bee veil or bee suit and closed-toed shoes at all times. Bees sting and inject venom, so if you are concerned about your reaction, please consult a physician before attending.