Mini diggers and bees?

[alldigging]

A plotholder is planning on bringing on a mini-digger to do some work on their allotment. Their plot is right next to the apiary area.

Will the bees be bothered by it?

 

[isc26]

Depends on time of year, weather and time of day.

Mid summer, midday on a warm calm day might not be the best idea.

 

[Mr greenwood]

If there are any boy bees left around they will love it!

 

[nikca]

Drive mine past the bees all the time - no issues.

I have worked for an hour about 5 meters away, again without issue. It was only about 3 meters to one side of their flightpath as well...

When a bolt fell out of the linkage between the flail mower and tractor, whilst mowing the grass, 3 feet in front of a hive, it was a different story however. To get stung, or to work on a greasy linkage in a new, white bee suit... that was the question. It was answered pretty quickly...

 

[Arfermo]

A plotholder is planning on bringing on a mini-digger to do some work on their allotment. Their plot is right next to the apiary area.

Will the bees be bothered by it?

Only one way to find out. I mow up to my hives and they mostly don't bother especially if it's after dark!!!! You can always wear a smock to defeat their aggressive interest anyway.

 

[kevrhcfag]

Depends how close and how much digging he's going to do. I was digging close with a larger machine (1 metre) or so and it was deep and a couple weren't too amused but still didn't get all of them out. Given likely to be indoors, size of machine it shouldn't cause them to over react unless a bit arsey anyway.

 

[alldigging]

I'm not sure what they're planning to do with the digger - it is a good few meters from the hives. (At least 3)

Its very likely to be done during the next few wintery months then hopefully they'll stay in and not be interested.

 

[Summerslease]

Is shutting them in an option if he's not using the digger for too long? It may save him a few stings.

 

[richardbees]

A small mews development was built on land boundary 10ft from my bees. Because it was 'contaminated' they had to excavate and build a concrete raft foundation - this involved a pile driver 15ft away. The bees were unbothered.......