Hi

[MandF]

Just a heads up that you have to be realistic about these things, and also be aware that at worst bees can and do kill. I am well aware that the garden brigade will jump on this as they do but it is only right to point out the realistic situation as evidenced by the threads this year of garden beekeepers having to move their stocks out to an out apiary.

PH

Yes, there is a chance, and it is sensible to be aware of this, and having contingencies in place. But most of us live quite happily with hives in our gardens, or indeed in our neighbours gardens.

It is the same with someone wanting to buy a rottweiler (or a dalmation as I have heard they have suspect temperaments), most people who own potentially dangerous dogs do so with no issues whatsoever, but it is sensible to take precautions if one decided to have one as a family pet, such as not leaving a baby or toddler alone with it.

I fly a single engine light aircraft, I am perfectly aware the engine may conk out one day, and as such practising how to deal with engine failure and always keeping one eye out for a nice big field to put down in is a constant.

It doesnt stop me flying though, and just because I know about lots of incidents of forced landings and people getting killed it doesnt stop me enjoying it.

 

[Cazza]

I havr had a back garden colony go literally berserk and I have handled thousands in my time and never seen anything like it. But......... it did happen and I am pretty reasonable handler of stocks. So it can happen and happen with no warning.

PH

Quite so. Luckily for me my garden covers 2 acres and the bees are well away from neighbours. I wouldn't want to take the risk of beserk bees in a small garden.
Cazza

 

[thorn]

- you may get followed a little and drag one within range of your wife who it will then start buzzing, If you arent followed after an inspection, she will be ok.

The only time my wife has been stung was on just such an occasion. I have two hives at the top of my neighbour's garden. One guard bee followed me halfway home. A couple of minutes later my wife went round to see our neighbour. Grumpy was still there, got tangled in her hair and stung her behind the ear.

Normally the guards are happy just to shepherd me away from the hives, and Liz has never been bothered since.

The only other sting to someone not actually in the process of inspection was suffered by a friend using a chainsaw at the other end of the garden while I was closing a hive up. He got stung by one which disliked the noise.

 

[stumorph]

still a bit confused many say garden is ok but others report disasters.does it depend on the type of bees . a local chap who keeps bees offered some black bees which are the more docile

 

[ratcatcher]

still a bit confused many say garden is ok but others report disasters.does it depend on the type of bees . a local chap who keeps bees offered some black bees which are the more docile

where does he keep his bee's?, on an apairy or in his garden, why not ask him what he thinks, as he sounds like a potential mentor for you, keeping bee's is a lot like having sex for the first time, until you try it, you wont know how much fun it is, and not scary like mum say's

 

[stumorph]

Will see him at the weekend his got the local association has a Stall at the local agriculture show

 

[MandF]

still a bit confused many say garden is ok but others report disasters.does it depend on the type of bees . a local chap who keeps bees offered some black bees which are the more docile

You will want docile bees, whereever you keep them, but obviously more important in your own garden.

Once you get docile bees, you just need to be aware that they might change (esp when you get a new queen).

So, having somewhere away from your garden to relocate your hive(s) if they get too nasty is a useful precaution. You can then move them back if you wanted once they calmed down again (by requeening or whatever).

Try it and see, you may end up wanting to move them from your garden, but unless you try it you'll never know!

 

[jackbee]

don't let horror stories put you off having bees in your garden. Bad news travels further and faster than good news.

There are threads on here about people moving hives cos of grumpy bees but just rememebr there will be more people on here with bees in garden who haven't had disasters and haven't had to move hives in many years, those stories just don't get posted, good news doesn't make news

You need a garden big enough so that the bees are at least 25m away from you and your neighbours houses. 6ft+ fences or hedges so bees fly up and over - and don't bother people in neighbouring gardens as they fly out & back.

Try not to inspect when neighbours are out and about, practice proactive swarm control, keep neighbours happy with a jar of honey in autumn and if they do know about the bees (they don't have to if they can't see hives!) get them involved and amaze them by offeering to let them see an inspection and they'll be hooked

Go for it, nothing better than coming home from work, and sitting by your hives in the garden drinking in the sights, sounds and heavenly aromas of the wonderful ladies

 

[MandF]

Go for it, nothing better than coming home from work, and sitting by your hives in the garden drinking in the sights, sounds and heavenly aromas of the wonderful ladies

I agree, and then going to look at the bees.