The ‘ideal’ location is on the edge of trees of a south facing slope with no public access or nearby paths and out of reach of cattle or horses. It should also have easy access for your vehicle. Now this ‘ideal’ is very seldom achieved and is used here only as an ideal reference.
In some ways it’s more helpful to think of what it should not be. Do not site your bees in an area that is damp such as in the middle of a wood or in a hollow, choose somewhere that is well ventilated but not sited in a wind tunnel. On the edge of a coppice can makes for a nice site.
Do consider the aspects related to public access and animals. The hives should be on stands about 300-400mm/12-15 inches high and allows air movement beneath them. Set the hives no closer than one meter apart and avoid the entrances being in a straight line as this will just encourage bees to drift into other hives, a trait that will cause disease to spread easily and tend to weaken some colonies in favor of others.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Will Home beekeeping bother the neighbours or pets
There is a risk of a problem it cannot be denied. Gentle bees do not sting indiscriminately they must feel threatened and pets will be ignored unless they get very close or pickup a dying bee.
The biggest danger is really from you, as a new home beekeeper you may not recognise when a colony is having an occasional ‘off day’ and should not be manipulated further. To continue may cause aggressive bees to fly around your garden for several hours.
The other hazard of home beekeeping is to do with bees flying over washing lines and leaving ‘presents’ in the form of yellow dots. The siting of the hive has to be considered carefully to minimize such problems. It is good advice to talk to your neighbors first and get them on your side explaining the good that your bees will do for the environment and their garden. As a final word on this, just be aware that it is human nature to blame any insect sting someone gets locally onto your bees.
The biggest danger is really from you, as a new home beekeeper you may not recognise when a colony is having an occasional ‘off day’ and should not be manipulated further. To continue may cause aggressive bees to fly around your garden for several hours.
The other hazard of home beekeeping is to do with bees flying over washing lines and leaving ‘presents’ in the form of yellow dots. The siting of the hive has to be considered carefully to minimize such problems. It is good advice to talk to your neighbors first and get them on your side explaining the good that your bees will do for the environment and their garden. As a final word on this, just be aware that it is human nature to blame any insect sting someone gets locally onto your bees.
Home beekeeping
Many beekeepers have bee hives in their back yards. They are those who practice Home Beekeeping. Some bees are even kept on city roof-tops. Bees can travel several miles to collect nectar and pollen, so they do not need flowering plants close by. Most suburbs have plenty of flowers, and bees can make a good crop of local honey.
Bee stings are usually neighbors' biggest concern. But a good practice of Home Beekeeping is to allow neighbors to feel safe and comfortable in their yards.
Many Home Beekeepers learn through the ranks of great grandparents, grandparents, and parents and it's just a family tradition and way of life that's taught to children. As with other farm products, honey production began as a chore, but eventually gained profit through being taken to the market.
Bee stings are usually neighbors' biggest concern. But a good practice of Home Beekeeping is to allow neighbors to feel safe and comfortable in their yards.
Many Home Beekeepers learn through the ranks of great grandparents, grandparents, and parents and it's just a family tradition and way of life that's taught to children. As with other farm products, honey production began as a chore, but eventually gained profit through being taken to the market.
beekeeping anyone?
Are you too about to start beekeeping? Or are you a beekeeper and need better resources and beekeeping supplies to make your beekeeping easier? Do you want to make more money with your beekeeping? Or perhaps you simply are interested in honey bees and want to learn beekeeping for personal pleasure.
The phenomenal attention honey bees have received over the past year due to Colony Collapse Disorder has, indeed, garnered a huge influx of people to the ranks of “I want to learn more about beekeeping.” If that’s you, I want to encourage you to follow up on that urge right now because this is the perfect time of year to get started keeping bees.
The very first thing you need to decide is ... Do I have the time required to be a responsible caretaker of my bees?
Having bees in the backyard is no different than being responsible for any other animal, whether a pet cat or dog, or farm animals like chickens or horses. They need basic care ... food, water, shelter, preventative health care, protection from the elements, each other, pests and diseases, vandals and any other unnecessary stress in their lives. That takes time, some money, and energy. You must have all three if you want any animal in your life.
The phenomenal attention honey bees have received over the past year due to Colony Collapse Disorder has, indeed, garnered a huge influx of people to the ranks of “I want to learn more about beekeeping.” If that’s you, I want to encourage you to follow up on that urge right now because this is the perfect time of year to get started keeping bees.
The very first thing you need to decide is ... Do I have the time required to be a responsible caretaker of my bees?
Having bees in the backyard is no different than being responsible for any other animal, whether a pet cat or dog, or farm animals like chickens or horses. They need basic care ... food, water, shelter, preventative health care, protection from the elements, each other, pests and diseases, vandals and any other unnecessary stress in their lives. That takes time, some money, and energy. You must have all three if you want any animal in your life.
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