I despair. A few years ago beekeeping was seen as the trendy new thing to so, socially responsible and with the vast majority of beekeepers seen as helping the environment and helping society at large. The discussion on here after this:
Any advice really welcomed!!
Have a neighbour that is constantly getting stung by my bees.
Have bought him a veil to wear (but he won't wear it because he says he gets to hot) Cutting grass in a t shirt and shorts when outside temp, is 8°C.
Have bought 4x2 Mt. willow screen to shield his side of the hedge to drive them up - but he wont put it up.
Am cutting his lawn so he doesn't have to go there.
This guy is really sensed by my girls. - I take all my family close to the hives and no problem but as soon as he goes into his garden they want to sting him.
He says he showers regularly and does not wear any scent but as soon as he is in the vicinity they make a beeline for him.
Maybe the third line says it - he is too hot - is it a beacon?
Am going to requeen when available from a friendly source but not sure if this will solve the problem.
Very reluctant to move my bees as I have a great setup - and I was there first by a long time!
Does anyone have an idea on the way forward?
Pete.
and this:
yep - Ive seen them going for him and he had to go to hospital last year for treatment. Yesterday I was next to my hives with the girls coming in and out without a problem; as soon as he came by on the other side of the hedge I could see two go for him and the result was he didn't get stung but he beat a retreat waving and dancing back to his house.
They are sensing that he is an antagonist and go straight for him.
P.
... shows that this will change. We are now a community that clearly has a sprinkling of members who have no clue at all about social responsibility and doing our beekeeping in a safe manner that doesn't impinge on others. If this is the forum that such beekeepers gravitate to, then the great majority (I assume!) of sensible, thoughtful beekeepers on here need to step forward and argue against such madness.
Bees sting, bees can and do kill. Full colonies of bees are wholely inappropriate for small and many medium-sized suburban gardens. If you want to risk it you need to accept that you need an escape plan which you can put into action at short notice. And then use that plan. People have a right to enjoy their time in their gardens, whether or not they have terraced those gardens. Any case where a neighbour is getting stung repeatedly, and most obviously where the neighbour has had to go to hospital for treatment is absolutely, 100% clear - no need to argue, no need to seek support on internet fora - the bees must go.
Just to pick on the last in a series of posts that need challenged:
..... but unfortunately due to the stigma of bees the neighbour will get away with doing sod all and getting everything his way.
The arguement of being possibly allergic doesn't hold with me either.
A neighbour getting things his way - when he is attacked regularly by the bees of his neighbour? Can't cut his own grass?! Being possibly allergic doesn't hold with you? Do you know how dangerous this is? People die from bee stings. In this case, the beekeeper already knows that there is a serious problem. It is utterly irresponsible to leave the situation as it is. Deal with it, or you are risking your neighbour's well-being never mind his enjoyment of his garden. And knowingly leaving a neighbour's well-being at risk - especially when you are having experienced beekeepers telling you on fora that this is risky - could lead you into serious trouble.
C'mon the silent majority of experienced beekeepers reading this - time to say it like it is!
