newbee advice

[beevenomman]

live near abernethy and looking to start next year, apart from approaching farmers what is the rules for positioning hives, council etc?
regards neil

[gavin]

Hi Neil

I'm just over the water from you near Errol. We did consider running classes in Perth last winter but it just didn't happen. Might happen this winter, but Dundee is perhaps more likely and also Fife if these are close enough for you.

As for siting bees and regulations, there is nothing you need worry about. You just need the landowner's permission of course. There are lots of things to think about:

- if you put them in a garden or near someone's house, will it be OK when they are in a particularly bad mood such as after a big inspection or when they are queenless?

- is there plenty of forage for them in the area and through several seasons? Deciduous trees of several types, pasture with clover, waste ground with willowherb, suburbia?

- pollen sources nearby early in the year when it is cold are particularly valuable (snowdrops, willow, blackthorn, cherries, plums ... )

- is it sheltered enough so that they can fly when it is less warm or windy?

- frost pocket?

- access for a vehicle to take them in and take them away on their late summer holidays if you fancy some heather honey?

- out of sight of passers-by?

I'm already in touch with a Neil wanting to start next year, so you'll have to be Neil no. 2! This year was the year of the Andys.

At least you are close to Thornes for supplies.

cheers

Gavin

[beevenomman]

thanks Gavin
there are numerous places in and around Abernethy i will check out all that you have said. I am also interested in collecting Bee Venom, is this easy to do?
Neil

[gavin]

I have a book somewhere that describes venom collection. If I remember right it was a device at the entrance with wires to give the bees a small electric shock which stimulated them to sting a glass plate coated with cling film. You just then (dry?) and scrape the venom off the glass plate, but need to bear in mind that handling the colony after that treatment requires NASA-style protection.

G.

[gavin]

More comments on siting (and I'm sure that others can add to this):

- enough space for you to work all round the bees

- possibility of stands of some kind. Raise them up on exposed stands rather than blocks and the attentions of mice will be reduced.

- sunny aspect, amongst trees is OK if not directly under the canopy

[beevenomman]

Hi Gavin
just been on a little reconnaissance and met a great couple less than a mile away who have an orchard!, they had several hives round about them but they're gone due to building work am not sure what else and they were bemoaning the fact there were no beehives around, then i turned up can you believe that?! it is sheltered, under trees, there is path and of course the orchard, how jammy! is that (pardon the pun)
regards Neil