Hive Security

[thorn]

How prevalent is hive theft? Has any member of this forum suffered from it. Is it one of those things that we hear about from time to time, but that happens very rarely?

 

[NEMESIS]

 

[NEMESIS]

Vinyl is probably an easier method. It’s weather proof and designed to stick to metal (like a car).

 

[Just]

I use a heavy duty seed tray with compost, then add some sedum/rockery plants, placing woodchips around plants on top of the compost. I also place a cat litter tray in the centre for a water station.

 

[madasafish]

I paint my hives a mix of brown and green. Ditto my nucs /mating nucs..

But there is no point in camouflaging hives if you then inspect them in a white suit/jacket.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I paint my hives a mix of brown and green. Ditto my nucs /mating nucs..

But there is no point in camouflaging hives if you then inspect them in a white suit/jacket.

and neatly manicure the growth around the hives (I recall earlier this year someone making rather disparaging remarks about one commercial beek who didn't - maybe he has a sound reason)

 

[Antipodes]

How prevalent is hive theft? Has any member of this forum suffered from it. Is it one of those things that we hear about from time to time, but that happens very rarely?

I've read that is bad in NZ. 400 thefts in 6 months. It was a few years ago now.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03...ng-rise-bee-related-crime-new-zealand/8357484

 

[E&MBees]

I paint my hives a mix of brown and green. Ditto my nucs /mating nucs..

But there is no point in camouflaging hives if you then inspect them in a white suit/jacket.

Fortunately my bee suit is a sludge green, so if I stick some greenery on to it I will blend in nicely!

 

[Ian123]

Oops!

 

[Ian123]

Well, there someone along the M3 that displays his row of hives very clearly to the motorists. Hope they are difficult to get to otherwise there is only a matter of time.

north bound after 303 turning they had been there for many many years, I think they got nicked start of this season!

 

[Newbeeneil]

We had a single hive nicked from the teaching apiary last year. They are on private land and not visible from any road but plenty of people will have been there over the years.
Most hives must be nicked to order, they are not the sort of thing you take down the pub tucked under a long coat and say "Pssssssttttttt wanna cheap hive? "

 

[Bee Bumble]

Fortunately my bee suit is a sludge green, so if I stick some greenery on to it I will blend in nicely!

http://www.ghilliesuits.com/images/products/detail/kidsST015.jpg

 

[user 819]

For garden hives or ones close to a dwelling a wireless loud (110db+) relatively cheap movement/motion sensor alarm might scare the bejesus out of someone enough to scare them off. A type often used for push bikes could be stuck or hidden under the floor of a colony.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I knew of someone who rigged up thunderflashes to his hives

 

[Apple]

and neatly manicure the growth around the hives (I recall earlier this year someone making rather disparaging remarks about one commercial beek who didn't - maybe he has a sound reason)

A good stand of nettles and bracken in front of the colonies prevents the hornets from hawking.... that is my excuse!

 

[E&MBees]

http://www.ghilliesuits.com/images/products/detail/kidsST015.jpg

I was thinking ‘Dad’s Army’ style, but that might work! Holding the smoker between the knees might be a bit tricky!!

 

[user 819]

£3 for a small push bike 105db alarm powered by a PP3 would initially surprise a t-leaf.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

£3 for a small push bike 105db alarm powered by a PP3 would initially surprise a t-leaf.

Don't be silly - you can't fix a hive to the back of a bike!

 

[gmonag]

I knew of someone who rigged up thunderflashes to his hives

Now, was that you...?

 

[frankenstine]

I was thinking an off it of AstroTurf There’s loads of that stuff kicking aboutn