I'm new to all this have my hives ready, bees are ordered. But my question is how do I mow around them, does this slow honey production? Also I'm setting them underf some apple trees, will the falling apples striking the top of the hives screw up things?
I mow around mine w/ tractor often. I dont nibble however. I do my first cut closest to hive and first. If theres a flow, they just ignore you. In a dearth, they are a little testy, but I just do it quickly and move away to another area. I also very early in spring use a little roundup before they break cluster and get a head start on grass and weeds. Falling apples will annoy them but otherwise not a big deal. Unless its very cold when the apples falls on hive, disturbing the cluster. The trees will also block the sun when leafed out . I try for full sun myself if possible.
Hi and welcome to beekeeping!
First, although many of us felt "Hopelessly Lost" when we started, you will get much more accurate responses to your questions if you post your actual location in your profile. Much of beekeeping is "local": what works well in one area may be entirely inappropriate in another area.
Second, yes, you want to keep the weeds/grass down so the entrance isn't blocked. How often and how neat is up to you. Some beeks put on a veil get up close with a weed-eater; I buzz by quickly on a riding mower. However, my hives are over a plastic-lined bed of wood mulch. Many beeks use old carpet under their hives, or cardboard, or feed bags, or whatever's handy to keep the weeds down.
Third, the occasional apple falling on a hive shouldn't be a big of a deal. However, it's generally recommended that hives be placed in full sun, if possible. (I live in the woods, so mine are nearly always shaded.)
I mow right up to the hives, but I always do it first off and cut further and further away. I lay down weed block to help with the need to weed eat. As others have said, in a flow they ignore it. In a Dearth I get a few warning bumps. It does depend on the bees though - I have a friend whose bees would punish you for starting the lawn mower, let alone mowing near the hive with it.
I have my hives on a friends property. He gets on his riding lawn mower and without a veil or outfit or anything he just mows like they aren't there. He mows all around them and right up to the sides of them. They have never stung him. He has done this 3 times already. All they do is come out of the hive and watch him. But, yes it is during a warm, sunny day when they are occupied with foraging. I do not recommend this way, but my friend is very stubborn and truly believes the bees will not sting him.
Seems everyone so far has missed a part of the question..... It will not interrupt honey production.
I don't mow at all. I don't mow in front of them, behind them or even 100 yards from them. My horses do a decent job of most of the grass and the top entrances make it unnecessary to mow in front.
How do you mow around them? Any way that works best for you, riding, push, whatever. I will say it IS(!) important to at least put your veil on. My bees, if they are in one of their "moods", will come after me. Usually they just ignore me but I do not like to be stung for no good reason. The best thing, for me, is to give a light spray of Roundup a few times during the growing season out as far as you wish. Do be carefull not to hit any exposed roots on your Apple trees (if they are that old that any roots would be snaking along the surface). A few rootstocks used on Apple (M-7) are hyper sensitive to Roundup. Don't be afraid to use it though.
If you use Roundup, you will not need to mow....no, Roundup (or the generic versions) will not hurt your bees.
my bees are raised 12 to 18 inches off the ground. the kind of grass i have can grow to over 6 ft tall so we're forced to cut. we use a brush cutter with nylon string and cut all the way to the cement blocks which support the hives. we're never had problems with the bees being irritated are the cutter, nor have i noticed any problem with honeyflow. the only time they seem a bit put off is if you stand in front of the entrance and block them. i sometimes use top entrances, but with 6 ft. grass, even that gets blocked!
Top entrances mean mowing isn't necessary, unless your better half insists. A swatch of old carpet, throw rug, 3 tab shingles, or tar paper make a good blanket in front of (and around) the hive so you don't have to mow to close. Just don't use the bee yard as an obsticle course when mowing--bees get angry when there homes are joustled.
We mow around the hives with no problem. I don't want the weeds to get out of control around them, they're part of my landscape ;)
I put down a bed of gravel over some plastic, that gave me a 2 foot cushion. But, other than that, they never get too testy. A head butt here and there. I would not know about the honey production part,did not get any last year. Good luck with your hives.
marcus
I have also run my bush-hog inches from the hive without any interest from the bees.
Last year was my first and I spread grass clipping around the hives seemed to work well. The mower did not seem to bother them much at all.
knob21. By the way, welcome to our forum. You have already figured out that this is a wonderful place to present questions and answers you will get, lots of them. Do put in your location, as was said, we were all feeling hopelessly lost at one point in time (or many) or another. We need to know where you live (your location only I mean). This is a great place to spend time, you will see that. Welcome.
I mow around my hives too, with a lawnmower. I like to keep the grass short, I don't like to get wet runners in the summertime. We have a very moist climate and there is lots of dew on the grass in the morning. The grass that grows right beside and infront of the hives. Well....I am really particular. I get down on my knees and pull the grass out with my hands. This takes quite some time, but it does not grow back as fast because it is almost to bare earth. I like also to keep the grass short because it is easier for the bees to get back up off the ground if they miss the landing board coming in. I have seen bees struggle in long grass (when I didn't get around to shortening the grass) to get out of the tangle and get back to their home. I've seen this many times. And when I do, it reminds me of how I must keep this grass short. I am sure eventually these bees will climb up the grass and get out, but I want the bees to have every advantage, to get in and out of their hives as quickly as possible so they can go and get more foraging accomplished.
Ask any question you feel you need to, you will always get answers, and we ALL learn through questions and the answers given. Have an awesome and wonderful day, Cindi
>Also I'm setting them underf some apple trees, will the falling apples striking the top of the hives screw up things?
Many of mine are under my Pear tree and pears fall on them all the time. Not a problem.
Chuck an old piece of plywood or newspaper on the ground in front of the hive. No more grass.