Bee problem..HELP!!

[Mick W]

My nieghbouring plot holder intends to install bee hives on one of his 4 plots, not in between his two central plots but only feet away from mine and right next to the area that I use for B-B-Qs, stove top cooking and generally sitting down and relaxing. I have no idea if there may be any dangers attached to me cooking, sitting or even gardening only feet away from bee hives so therefore I'm hoping someone out there may be able to offer some information on the subject. At the very least I feel very uncomfortable with the situation. especially thinking that our 2 young children will be with us for some of the time.
HELP.....
Mick W

[richard p]

first thing is to look at the allotment regs , talk to the commitee, ask about health and safety issues, is the commitee under any legal threat if you are stung etc. if the hives do get sited can u put a six foot fence or other obstruction, shrubs ? to force the bees on exiting the hive to fly high over your plot. if u can arrange that the hive is in shade in early morning even better cos they wont fly till they warm up which will upset the beekeeper. at the end of the day as a last resort i wouldn't advise you to actuall physically tip the hives over during the night though you might be tempted.

[peter]

Is he actually allowed to do this under the site regs?

[Mick W]

well what do you think.....
I am actually on the committee myself...and so is the plot holder in question and that is why I was seeking advice as I didn't want a situation to develope where we were really at logerheads and in a dispute situation. We had a chat this morning and he has reconsidered the positioning of his hives as he hadn't taken into account the close proximity of them to my BBQ etc.
Job done and thanks to all for your thoughts.
Mick.

[sally wright]

Dear Mick,
is the flight path; that is the route south from the hive going to be across your plot? If it is then you will have a problem. Bees resent anyone wandering into their "airspace" and will fly at you.

If it is not then the bees will usually leave people well alone. As they die when they have stung someone they will do so only as a last resort.

A bigger problem for parties and barbies would be the bee c**p. As they fly out of the hive they empty themselves and it yellow and sticky and stains clothing very badly. This may not sound a big problem but there will be about 60,000 bottoms needing to be emptied several times a day.

I would ask nicely if the hive can be placed elsewhere Ie his other plots but if this is not possible then I would make sure that they are as far away from yours as possible. I would also make sure that the society committee insist that this person is a member of the local beekeepers society. Make sure he is aware that he has to let you know when he is opening the hives because the bees are not happy when this is done and they will go for anyone moving nearby.
for more information go to the Thornes website and follow the links ( www.thorne.co.uk )
Regards
Sally Wright.

Ps don't take anything with honey in it for your elevenses as the old saying bees round a honeypot also applies to sandwiches!!!

[The Grock in the Frock]

cook the bees,bees on toast