Warning Signs?

[Caz]

Hi All,

I keep my bees in a private field, no right of way through field and access via a padlocked gate. The hives are in a fenced off area (stock proof fencing) within the field, and you need to go through another gate to get to them.

I don’t have any warning signs, as the other people entitled to access the field know about my bees.

Anyone got any views / advice around whether I should have signs to warn trespassers?

Thanks

 

[thorn]

Hi All,

I keep my bees in a private field, no right of way through field and access via a padlocked gate. The hives are in a fenced off area (stock proof fencing) within the field, and you need to go through another gate to get to them.

I don’t have any warning signs, as the other people entitled to access the field know about my bees.

Anyone got any views / advice around whether I should have signs to warn trespassers?

Thanks

I wouldn't. It'll just draw the attention of the nefarious to the presence of the hives.

 

[B+.]

Hi All,

I keep my bees in a private field, no right of way through field and access via a padlocked gate. The hives are in a fenced off area (stock proof fencing) within the field, and you need to go through another gate to get to them.

I don’t have any warning signs, as the other people entitled to access the field know about my bees.

Anyone got any views / advice around whether I should have signs to warn trespassers?

Thanks

I have a laminated sign saying "Caution - bees working" - but dog-walkers ignore it. My bees are very docile though so people hardly even notice. There is a right of way across the field to a village that hasn't existed since the plague (so much for historic rights) but not around the field - which I keep telling the dog-walkers. Anyway - I'm rambling LOL
I think, legally recognising there is a danger and using the word "Warning" means you are accepting responsibility for their actions, while using the word "Caution" is merely advising them of a potential risk. Perhaps a legal specialist might advise on this?

 

[pargyle]

Hi All,

I keep my bees in a private field, no right of way through field and access via a padlocked gate. The hives are in a fenced off area (stock proof fencing) within the field, and you need to go through another gate to get to them.

I don’t have any warning signs, as the other people entitled to access the field know about my bees.

Anyone got any views / advice around whether I should have signs to warn trespassers?

Thanks

I don't think there is a legal requirement for such signage but it would not do any harm to put a notice up to the effect that Live Honey Bee colonies - Bees can sting - please keep your distance.

What's going to happen if you don't - well people could get too close and could get stung but are they likely to sue you ? Probably not .. will the owner of the field have concerns about your bees being kept there if someone does get stung ? Depends upon you relationship with your landlord - perhaps ask your landlord what his views are ?

 

[Antipodes]

Hi All,

I keep my bees in a private field, no right of way through field and access via a padlocked gate. The hives are in a fenced off area (stock proof fencing) within the field, and you need to go through another gate to get to them.

I don’t have any warning signs, as the other people entitled to access the field know about my bees.

Anyone got any views / advice around whether I should have signs to warn trespassers?

Thanks

Are the hives camouflaged?

 

[victor meldrew]

I don't think there is a legal requirement for such signage but it would not do any harm to put a notice up to the effect that Live Honey Bee colonies - Bees can sting - please keep your distance.

What's going to happen if you don't - well people could get too close and could get stung but are they likely to sue you ? Probably not .. will the owner of the field have concerns about your bees being kept there if someone does get stung ? Depends upon you relationship with your landlord - perhaps ask your landlord what his views are ?

In these lawless days , Live honey bees is an invite to misappropriate !

 

[Caz]

I did wonder if signs would draw attention.

Field is owned by a family member and I know their views on trespassing, so no concerns around them wanting me to move bees if someone was stung.

Field is currently overgrown and hives were located so that they are not easily visible. I’m clearing at the moment with goal of replanting an orchard and having a family allotment (slow progress with loppers and a bow saw) so at some point the hives will become a lot more visible. Will need to think about camouflaging them before getting to this point.

 

[Caz]

Sounds like best bet is to ensure they stay hidden, and not sign post them.

Can anyone suggest any simple camouflage techniques? Behind overgrown trees and brambles at the moment, but at some point cover will be gone.

 

[Sutty]

Mesh fencing and climbing plants?

 

[Antipodes]

I did wonder if signs would draw attention.

Field is owned by a family member and I know their views on trespassing, so no concerns around them wanting me to move bees if someone was stung.

Field is currently overgrown and hives were located so that they are not easily visible. I’m clearing at the moment with goal of replanting an orchard and having a family allotment (slow progress with loppers and a bow saw) so at some point the hives will become a lot more visible. Will need to think about camouflaging them before getting to this point.

I was more wondering about the potential for someone to not notice them (if they were well camouflaged), and getting too close....do you see what I'm getting at?

 

[Antipodes]

Camouflaging them is the antithesis of putting up a warning sign.

 

[Caz]

Hadn’t looked at it from perspective of people getting too close before realising they are there.

You’d be aware they were there from about 10 metres away - so you wouldn’t be right up close before you realised they were there.

Definitely something to think about from when looking at keeping them less visible, really useful.

 

[Caz]

So is your thinking that if they are not visible, there should be a warning?

 

[Sutty]

Few people would put up a sign warning about garden beehives, why should you warm people about a hive in a field they have no right to be in?

 

[Murox]

Beware of the Bull.

 

[Caz]

Mesh fencing and climbing plants?

Thanks - that’s a great idea

 

[Caz]

Few people would put up a sign warning about garden beehives, why should you warm people about a hive in a field they have no right to be in?

That was my thinking tbh but was just interested to see if there any different views.

 

[Sutty]

Keeping bees in fields is a normal part of UK agriculture. So people trespassing may expect to come across them. I can't see it likely you would be in any trouble if someone got stung in such circumstances irrespective of the severity of their reaction.
If the bees were very close to a right of way it might be a different matter and a warning might be appropriate.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Beware of the Bull.

Now that I like.

 

[Sutty]

Thanks - that’s a great idea

If you want to cover it rapidly a "russian vine" will do the trick, but can be a bit *too* vigorous if it can climb onto anything else