Electro-magnetic radiation

[Popparand]

I've got my eye on a new site for next year - a nice fenced off area around a secured electricity sub-station. I'm just wondering a) whether sub-stations emit high levels of radiation and b) whether that would bother the bees considering they are sensitive to terrestrial magnetic fields. Would appreciate comments from beekers who've experience of this type of apiary site or any theoretical knowledge!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Saw a photograph a few years ago of a colony of bees who had settled and built comb on one of the transformers in a sub station, so that suggests to me that the bees don't seem to mind

 

[Popparand]

Saw a photograph a few years ago of a colony of bees who had settled and built comb on one of the transformers in a sub station, so that suggests to me that the bees don't seem to mind

When in doubt - ask the bees!

 

[SDM]

My mentor had a site on a substation that looked on the face of it to be a great location but was consistently poor. He gave it up after 5yrs, but couldnt say for sure that it was the substation that was the issue.

 

[pargyle]

Saw a photograph a few years ago of a colony of bees who had settled and built comb on one of the transformers in a sub station, so that suggests to me that the bees don't seem to mind

There's always one colony that flies in the face of Darwin !

My rescued colony that were living in an upturned plantpot have refused (despite feeding and encouragement) to move out of the plant pot and into the lovely warm poly hive with drawn frames and stores I put on top of them ...

So much for the Bailey change theory !

Some bees were just at the end of the brains queue when they were being handed out ! Personally, I think bees are sensitive to electromagnetic influences - they have tiny magnets in their brains I read somewhere ..

Probably best not to site the too close to a potential source of electromagnetic influennce ... although you could give them all tin foil hats ?

I feel another commercial opportunity coming along

 

[Popparand]

Still none the wiser, even after reading this:

https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3874

 

[Beefriendly]

Still none the wiser, even after reading this:

https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3874

You should be.
Those that actually keep bees near power lines, sub stations etc don't report any problems.
Those that don't have any experience of keeping bees near these electromagnetic sources have an opinion that there will be problems.
I'd take the practical relevant advice every time.

 

[Codford]

Two words: Ley Lines

 

[For want of a better word]

Two words: Ley Lines

Not at all !

I have dowsed water streams directly under very high tension power lines between steel towers and across them at right angles... however have noticed that sometimes the cables and supporting towers follow Leys!!

Chons da

 

[Finman]

Not at all !

I have dowsed water streams directly under very high tension power lines between steel towers and across them at right angles... however have noticed that sometimes the cables and supporting towers follow Leys!!

Chons da

Fairys do the same

 

[For want of a better word]

Fairys do the same

Yes indeed... all the fairies fled to Cornwall for safe haven after Henry V111 destroyed all the monasteries!



One has to have a belief.....

Yeghes da

 

[Somerford]

while some are bound to disagree - personally my best apiary is beside a large railway substation that works as a transformer station too, with a back up diesel generator alongside as well and of course the power cables for the railway.

I haven't noticed any difference in output, calmness, or any other detrimental issue with that apiary, although I personally wouldn't site one under main power lines as the static and noise makes me feel funny and what hair I have left stand up on end.

all 10 of them before Hachi says anything...

regards

S

 

[Beefriendly]

while some are bound to disagree - personally my best apiary is beside a large railway substation that works as a transformer station too, with a back up diesel generator alongside as well and of course the power cables for the railway.

S

The only ones liable to disagree are those who have never kept bees in those types of places but have an opinion that you shouldn't.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I've got my eye on a new site for next year - a nice fenced off area around a secured electricity sub-station. I'm just wondering a) whether sub-stations emit high levels of radiation and b) whether that would bother the bees considering they are sensitive to terrestrial magnetic fields. Would appreciate comments from beekers who've experience of this type of apiary site or any theoretical knowledge!

Unlikely that 50hz will have noticeable field effects at distribution voltages over more than very short distances.
Very high freqencies in the microwave range will cook flesh but unless you are planning to keep bees in the beam of a microwave transmitter it's not something you can reasonably expect to access.
Very high voltages even at 50hz can create noticeable Corona effects as the electrical stress tries to disrupt air molecules. This is often seen as a blue glow around 11000 volt line insulators with associated audible hum in damp weather. Higher voltages create more stress and Corona. (The primary links from the alternators to the 400kv step up grid transformers at Drax operate at around 25000 volts and corona continually sizzle in all weather)
The electricity distributors quite sensibly keep Joe public away from areas where risks are known so if the site owners are aware of your aspirations and agree to your presence I'd like to think you and your bees are safe.

 

[MuswellMetro]

i have hives within 50m of one of the main electricity sub station with four massive 275kv transformers that are feeding outer london, my average yield per hive is 40-50kg and max yield last year one did 95kg

do i have problems, no other than i had to be police checked to use the site

does that answer your question

 

[Popparand]

i have hives within 50m of one of the main electricity sub station with four massive 275kv transformers that are feeding outer london, my average yield per hive is 40-50kg and max yield last year one did 95kg

do i have problems, no other than i had to be police checked to use the site

does that answer your question

Yep, I think so. I was going to take a compass out and measure magnetic deviation nearby, but don't think I'll bother now

 

[Popparand]

i have hives within 50m of one of the main electricity sub station with four massive 275kv transformers that are feeding outer london, my average yield per hive is 40-50kg and max yield last year one did 95kg

do i have problems, no other than i had to be police checked to use the site

does that answer your question

But does the honey glow in the dark?

 

[For want of a better word]

But does the honey glow in the dark?

Would need to be Dungerness or Sellafield for that !!

Mind you some strange honey has come out of Devonport boat yard in the past!

Chons da

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Would need to be Dungerness or Sellafield for that !!

Used to get some wonderful patterns on the radar screens when passing Dingyness

Mind you some strange honey has come out of Devonport boat yard in the past!

Chons da

Lot of strange things come out of that area

 

[oxnatbees]

The transformers are incredibly well shielded. Radiation = wasted energy = lost revenue! Nearby fields are low.

I was recently told about one apiary below a wind turbine in Scotland, the bees are fine.

I would be more concerned about vibration or, if loud, sound caused by magnetostriction of the transformers. This could be 50, 100 or 250Hz. Some colonies turn defensive near continuous low frequency sound, like lorries rumbling along main roads. Is it a *quiet* spot?
Some transformers exhibit this effect. Vibration could be checked by putting a wooden rod atainst the ground and the other end against the skull bones round your ear, you should be able to hear it then, if present. This is, by the way, an alternative to using a stethoscope to listen ro a hive. Best practise first on, say, a fridge so you know how to do it.