jar article:Lattice fence and hedge barriers around an apiary increase honey bee flight height and decrease stings to people nearby

[user 6228]

http://www.ibra.org.uk/articles/Barriers-around-an-apiary-increase-safety-from-stinging
abstract

Urban beekeeping is becoming more popular in the UK. One of the challenges faced by urban beekeepers is finding a suitable apiary location. Honey bees are often perceived as a nuisance, mainly due to their stinging behaviour. Here, we experimentally test the assumption that barriers around an apiary such as walls or fences, force the bees to fly above human height, thereby reducing collisions with people and, consequently, stinging. The experiment was conducted in two apiaries using two common types of barrier: a lattice fence (trellis) and hedge. Barriers were 2 m high, which is taller than > 99% of humans and is also the maximum height allowed by UK planning regulations for garden fences or walls. We found that barriers were effective at both raising the mean honey bee flight height and reducing stinging. However, the effects were only seen when the barrier had been in place for a few days, not immediately after the barrier was put in place. Although this raises interesting questions regarding honey bee navigation and memory, it is not a problem for beekeepers, as any barrier placed around an apiary will be permanent. The effect of the barriers on raising bee flight height to a mean of c. 2.2-2.5 m was somewhat weak and inconsistent, probably because the bees flew high, mean of c. 1.6-2.0 m, even in the absence of a barrier. As barriers can also reduce wind exposure, improve security and are inexpensive, we recommend their use around urban apiaries in places such as private gardens or allotments, where nuisance to humans is likely to be a problem.

 

[chicken]

Interesting... although I thought we knew that already?

 

[domino]

Interesting that a lattice fence still lifts them up, I would have thought they would just fly through the holes. Anyone here use a lattice fence?

 

[user 6228]

I suppose if you are on an allotment or have an issue with neighbours, council etc.. it will give your arguments some backup

 

[itma]

Interesting that a lattice fence still lifts them up, I would have thought they would just fly through the holes. ...

That was the point of the research!
Plenty people use netting of various types, but LASI got funding to try this out.

Remember also that Ratnieks was one of the authors of the anti-urban beekeeping piece last year!

 

[oliver90owner]

Interesting... although I thought we knew that already?-

Yes, we did.

There will always be some joker who parks his hives almost adjacent and they will fly through, I dare say. Might also depend on the lattice size in those extremes.

But ... generally bees will go with the relatively laminar, with lift, air flow, I am sure. They are not stupid. Mine take advantage of the lift from the pitched garage roof rather than go over the garden fence.

RAB

 

[chicken]

Ok. I was starting to think that I had superhuman psychic powers.

Turns out I know just enough to make me dangerous (probably)