MattK
New Bee
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2012
- Messages
- 10
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Buckingham
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 2
Hi,
I have just taken on an allotment which has 6 bee hives on it which were left by the previous tenant. I know that the bees have not been looked at for at least 18 months, possibly as much as two and a half years. From flying activity it looks as though they all have active bees in them.
I have no experience of bee keeping but I'd like to try to take it up and look afer them.
From what I've read, it seems that it's getting late to open and inspect the hives so I'm considering leaving them untouched for the winter and trying to find a local expert to inspect them in the spring and go from there. I'm hoping that as no honey has been taken, that they'll have enough food for the winter.
One exception to the leaving alone plan is that a leg of one of the hives has rotted and the hive is leaning over so I will need to add some support to stop it collapsing.
I'd be interested in thoughts about whether this is the correct approach or especially if I should be doing anything more urgently at this point.
Thanks in anticipation,
Matt
I have just taken on an allotment which has 6 bee hives on it which were left by the previous tenant. I know that the bees have not been looked at for at least 18 months, possibly as much as two and a half years. From flying activity it looks as though they all have active bees in them.
I have no experience of bee keeping but I'd like to try to take it up and look afer them.
From what I've read, it seems that it's getting late to open and inspect the hives so I'm considering leaving them untouched for the winter and trying to find a local expert to inspect them in the spring and go from there. I'm hoping that as no honey has been taken, that they'll have enough food for the winter.
One exception to the leaving alone plan is that a leg of one of the hives has rotted and the hive is leaning over so I will need to add some support to stop it collapsing.
I'd be interested in thoughts about whether this is the correct approach or especially if I should be doing anything more urgently at this point.
Thanks in anticipation,
Matt