I just bought a house with 5 acres. I put my four hives in the back. When cutting grass,I pass within 20 feet of the hives. No problems yet. Is it inevitable to get stung?
Yes Papa you are crazy!!! Put your hives outside man!!!
Ok, seriously, yes, one day, who knows when, you will probably get stung. I suggest you smoke your hives a little before you mow against them, and wear at least a veil when right up against the hives.
...JP
i've been mowing by my hives for a few years without getting stung.
But it is inevitable to get stung but it may not be while mowing.
Let's just say you're in front of your hives and the mower stalls for whatever reason or its running but it won't move. If you are unprotected and the bees get grumpy, well...
...JP
I just mow around the hives as part of my weekly inspection routine, since I am already wearing a veil.
Quote from: JP on September 21, 2008, 01:25:21 PM
Let's just say you're in front of your hives and the mower stalls for whatever reason or its running but it won't move. If you are unprotected and the bees get grumpy, well...
...JP
that thought has crossed my mind.
I mow and weed eat right up to the base of the block the hives sit on. I usually get bumped a few times but the girls have never tried to sting me. I don't wear my veil when cutting I think I would sweat to death. I stop before cutting right at the hives and pick up any girls that may be on the ground and set them back on the porch and just cut on through. Really good girls.
I usually mow right up to the hives, and sometimes accidentally bump them. Most the time i havent been attacked, but recently....Now THATS something else!
I have a ZTR thats really fast, and when i get near my hives now I'm wide open and turning as fast as i can!!...My beeyard is not quite as manicured as it has been most the summer!...And, usually, I'm chased by my bees for a hundred feet!
Its hard to drive a ZTR and swat at bees at the same time :shock:! My wife thinks its really funny the way i come blasting out of the trees the way I do when getting stung!
Ive left quite a lot of areas cut too low behind me while doing this because my mower is set lower for cutting the apiary than for cutting the yard!
your friend,
john
i think we need a video of this John.
Quote from: johnnybigfish on September 21, 2008, 07:19:51 PM
Its hard to drive a ZTR and swat at bees at the same time...
No John, it's not hard. What's hard is swatting the bees while driving your ZTR and holding a beer. I know, I have the same problem. That's why I put a cup holder on my rider. Even better!!! Get one of those beer helmets and glue a vale to it!!!! Holy smokes, I just had a great idea!!!!!!! Time to go to the party store and bee supply shop.......
Sean Kelly
Quote from: Sean Kelly on September 21, 2008, 09:10:32 PM
Quote from: johnnybigfish on September 21, 2008, 07:19:51 PM
Its hard to drive a ZTR and swat at bees at the same time...
No John, it's not hard. What's hard is swatting the bees while driving your ZTR and holding a beer. I know, I have the same problem. That's why I put a cup holder on my rider. Even better!!! Get one of those beer helmets and glue a vale to it!!!! Holy smokes, I just had a great idea!!!!!!! Time to go to the party store and bee supply shop.......
Sean Kelly
A mighty fine example of redneck beekeeping!!!
...JP
Yep you will get stung don't know when but you will they are looking for your weak spot :-D
Sean, make sure you bee-proof the funnel gizmo-- it would be awkward to suck down a bee
Otherwise, sounds like a fine idea! ;)
Nelly