Going to be moving smack dab in the middle of a nice neighborhood in the middle of town. It's recently legal to keep bees in the city (I will likely have more than legal). Everyone around me has swimming pools, I'll have a pond/fountain in my yard.
I still fear neighbors will not be pleased and complain, especially with us being new to the hood, and not as stuffy as they likely are.
Any advice?
Honey as house warming gifts for all your neighbors ? :-)
You stick a stick in a hornet's nest, you expect to be stung.
Yes, you can expect trouble.
Quote from: gilligan on June 02, 2015, 02:03:56 AM
Going to be moving smack dab in the middle of a nice neighborhood in the middle of town. It's recently legal to keep bees in the city (I will likely have more than legal). Everyone around me has swimming pools, I'll have a pond/fountain in my yard.
I still fear neighbors will not be pleased and complain, especially with us being new to the hood, and not as stuffy as they likely are.
Any advice?
I am in same situation. I moved from the country McMansion Ville. I had a neighbor rip out this huge catmint from his pool area because they bees loved it. No one says anything to me but I know it makes them uncomfortable. My bees are out in the open if I had to do it over I might put them in a garden.
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See how long you can keep them from noticing...
Can you put up a chicken wire fence and direct them away from the neighbors? That way you can say you tried to direct the bees from them. -Mike
If you have a place to put there where the neighbors can't see them, I would not say a word. Let them wonder about the miraculous recovery of honeybees in their area. :wink:
I have wooden fences around the entire back yard so they will be up and away when they leave the property. I will have them in the back yard but some people have two story houses and the fences aren't really that tall to start with.
Thought maybe a "brochure" on why honey bees are important and what they do for us as well and maybe how gentle they are and maybe the difference of a honey bee and wasps and such. Maybe offer free swarm catches in the neighborhood (they will probably be my bees anyway right? ;) ).
I'd agree with most of the above - keep as low a profile as possible. Have the info ready for those who ask, but don't drop the bomb on everyone, right off the bat. My neighbor's love honey bribes.
A couple lines that seem to have worked for me:
"My bees are bred (like livestock) for gentleness, wild bees are just wild (and often mean)".
"Bees are bred just like cattle and horses. Gentleness is a highly sought after trait." " My bees are like Derby winners, and wild bees are like wild mustangs"
"Domestic bees compete with feral bees, which are often much meaner."
Quote from: Colobee on June 02, 2015, 01:48:05 PM
I'd agree with most of the above - keep as low a profile as possible. Have the info ready for those who ask, but don't drop the bomb on everyone, right off the bat. My neighbor's love honey bribes.
A couple lines that seem to have worked for me:
"My bees are bred (like livestock) for gentleness, wild bees are just wild (and often mean)".
"Bees are bred just like cattle and horses. Gentleness is a highly sought after trait." " My bees are like Derby winners, and wild bees are like wild mustangs"
"Domestic bees compete with feral bees, which are often much meaner."
Good stuff!
"My bees are bred (like livestock) for gentleness, wild bees are just wild (and often mean)".
"Bees are bred just like cattle and horses. Gentleness is a highly sought after trait." " My bees are like Derby winners, and wild bees are like wild mustangs"
"Domestic bees compete with feral bees, which are often much meaner."
Not sure I would use any of these statements...misleading and not really true and the last thing we need is more misinformation about bees. If you ever do swarm captures how do you justify the wild bee statements....you have just shot yourself in the foot if you have these statements out there and then install a captured swarm even though we all know "wild bees" aren't necessarily untamed.
I think you are better off installing the bees, doing what you can to provide water close by and directing flight paths up and over the adjacent properties and dealing with inquiries as people ask.
There's going to be problems with neighbors that close. Good luck.
How many hives do you have?
Gilligan,
I would say, don't judge lest ye be judged (or something like that, I don't actually read that book.) In other words, give your neighbors the benefit of the doubt.
I live in the city, and while the demographics of my neighborhood sound more urban than yours, I was also a little apprehensive about my neighbors' reactions. Our yards are less than 1/3 of an acre, the houses are close, and my yard is bordered by a sidewalk, a busy sidewalk.
I didn't ask permission or advertise the fact that I had them (and I wouldn't again), but the first Christmas after our first harvest, I left small honey jars on all my neighbors' porches with a bee themed Christmas card. For the first couple of years, everybody crossed the street to walk by our yard. Gradually they stopped and now no one really avoids them, from the most gentrifying neighbors to the oldest ones. Many, if not most, now stop to ask how the bees are doing. Some bring their visiting families by to show off "the neighborhood's" bees. Before we built the pond, several came by concerned that we weren't watering our bees because they were drinking from puddles and containers in their yards. Not one was complaining, they just wanted to be sure we were taking care of them! One neighbor even scolded another for spraying bug spray in their front yard on behalf of my bees!! lol. One older man who has lived in the neighborhood for years and years walks down to my house nearly everyday to "check on his buddies."
With all of the media and publicity about the plight of the bees, there are more and more people who are sympathetic and curious about beekeeping. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty who want nothing to do with them, but a lot seem to think it is ok if you do. As long as you are conscientious, vigilant against hot hives, and positive, friendly and communicative to those who inquire, you may just be surprised by the reaction.
My friend says that "Worrying about something is like praying for it to happen." Try to think positive, react positively and be happy!
My 2 cents.
love,
ziffa
add a "heated" pool for your bees, then they wont be off to the neighbours.
with a bit of ingenuity you can get the sun to heat the water for the bees
Quote from: GLOCK on June 03, 2015, 10:54:12 AM
There's going to be problems with neighbors that close. Good luck.
How many hives do you have?
Currently 4 at the house, but I'm limited in (hiding) space.
With the new yard I could see easily going to 10 or 12 as I could just line them up along the back fence.
Here is the property and where I'd put the bees, I also have a small fish pond to clean up and get going.
(http://i62.tinypic.com/2cz62dz.jpg)
Quote from: ziffabeek on June 03, 2015, 02:06:17 PM
Gilligan,
I would say, don't judge lest ye be judged (or something like that, I don't actually read that book.) In other words, give your neighbors the benefit of the doubt.
I live in the city, and while the demographics of my neighborhood sound more urban than yours, I was also a little apprehensive about my neighbors' reactions. Our yards are less than 1/3 of an acre, the houses are close, and my yard is bordered by a sidewalk, a busy sidewalk.
I didn't ask permission or advertise the fact that I had them (and I wouldn't again), but the first Christmas after our first harvest, I left small honey jars on all my neighbors' porches with a bee themed Christmas card. For the first couple of years, everybody crossed the street to walk by our yard. Gradually they stopped and now no one really avoids them, from the most gentrifying neighbors to the oldest ones. Many, if not most, now stop to ask how the bees are doing. Some bring their visiting families by to show off "the neighborhood's" bees. Before we built the pond, several came by concerned that we weren't watering our bees because they were drinking from puddles and containers in their yards. Not one was complaining, they just wanted to be sure we were taking care of them! One neighbor even scolded another for spraying bug spray in their front yard on behalf of my bees!! lol. One older man who has lived in the neighborhood for years and years walks down to my house nearly everyday to "check on his buddies."
With all of the media and publicity about the plight of the bees, there are more and more people who are sympathetic and curious about beekeeping. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty who want nothing to do with them, but a lot seem to think it is ok if you do. As long as you are conscientious, vigilant against hot hives, and positive, friendly and communicative to those who inquire, you may just be surprised by the reaction.
My friend says that "Worrying about something is like praying for it to happen." Try to think positive, react positively and be happy!
My 2 cents.
love,
ziffa
That's awesome!
Quote from: derekm on June 03, 2015, 02:14:00 PM
add a "heated" pool for your bees, then they wont be off to the neighbours.
with a bit of ingenuity you can get the sun to heat the water for the bees
Like this?
No flyers... no comments on bees being livestock and bred gentle etc. No moving in and saying look everyone I have bees in your backyard...take it as it comes and if you stay within the law then you should be ok. But I think you already stated above you intend on not following the restrictions. It's recently legal to keep bees in the city (I will likely have more than legal). Did I get that right :oops: So you may get what you give if it hits the fan IMHO.....
another option is to look for a place near you to host your bees. someones field or something.
+1 keep it low key. Do not announce your apiary! Maybe put a hedge around the apiary to restrict the view from neighbors' 2nd floor windows and help the bees get up and away. Your fish pond may help keep them away from the neighboring pools, or it might do nothing. The bees will choose their water source.
Keep it legal. Obtain whatever state, county and/or town permits that are required. Be sure you stay within the maximum number of colonies. Perhaps find a friend, neighbor or local farmer would be willing to host any surplus colonies.
If you go in to a new neighborhood, especially an upscale one, and announce that you keep thousands stinging insects, you are setting yourself up to be blamed for every wasp, hornet, red ant, spider and mosquito bite in the neighborhood.
OTH, if you go in quietly and a couple years from now someone says "gee, I never noticed any bees in the neighborhood", you might not ever have a problem. (that's when I might sneak in an extra hive :wink:)
I live in a similar neighborhood. There are five bee keepers that I know of within three blocks. I know of two others within a half mile away. I'm positive there are many more I don't know about within a half mile radius. I see no reason to think your neighborhood will be significantly different. Just keep your apiary neat, appropriately sized, and from being an eyesore and chances are good you won't have any complaints.
I wouldn't stick the hives right in the middle of the yard as you sketched though. The bees are going to use 25 to 30 feet to get up to altitude, making the core of the yard unusable to you. I'd put them to one side and make them fly up over a barrier or vegetation so that they are above your head and you can use your yard.
Quote from: JConnolly on June 04, 2015, 02:50:53 PM
I live in a similar neighborhood. There are five bee keepers that I know of within three blocks. I know of two others within a half mile away. I'm positive there are many more I don't know about within a half mile radius. I see no reason to think your neighborhood will be significantly different. Just keep your apiary neat, appropriately sized, and from being an eyesore and chances are good you won't have any complaints.
I wouldn't stick the hives right in the middle of the yard as you sketched though. The bees are going to use 25 to 30 feet to get up to altitude, making the core of the yard unusable to you. I'd put them to one side and make them fly up over a barrier or vegetation so that they are above your head and you can use your yard.
I could face them towards the fence like I do at my mother's place (the fence is on the back side of a local small dive bar though)... they seem to spiral up and out and away when they leave there.
QuoteI could face them towards the fence like I do at my mother's place
good plan.
I think i'd also put them on that fence to the left if you can. that way they are not shooting over the trampoline i see in that pic.
Good catch... I'll have to see if that is still there, that is a fairly old image.
Quote from: kathyp on June 04, 2015, 03:33:31 PM
I think i'd also put them on that fence to the left if you can. that way they are not shooting over the trampoline i see in that pic.
Agreed. It looks like there is a tree at the fence line in that corner to the left. That tree can function as a barrier encouraging them to fly up before heading over that neighbors yard.
My hives face my garden with a fence about 25' away to the east. On the other side of the fence is two cherry trees. I've observed that the foragers usually fly off to the east and fly up and over the cherry trees. That happens to be the neighbor that I think would be most likely to complain, but they haven't because the bees are up too high for them to notice by the time they overfly that yard.
I have a six foot privacy fence that directs the bees up and keep a fountain that the bees absolutely love. So, living within two blocks of city hall, police, fire, sheriff, and county offices, no one has complained. You would not believe the early suburban honey flows. I have four hives in town, and they do better than my hives out in the county. If I'm not splitting them early, they do so well I have trouble controlling swarms. I do keep them lower to the ground so they don't show over the fence when I add a second super.
Quote from: KeyLargoBees on June 03, 2015, 08:56:57 AM
Not sure I would use any of these statements...misleading and not really true and the last thing we need is more misinformation about bees. If you ever do swarm captures how do you justify the wild bee statements....you have just shot yourself in the foot if you have these statements out there and then install a captured swarm even though we all know "wild bees" aren't necessarily untamed.
I don't know where your bees come from, but mine have been bred like livestock for almost 100 years. I requeen swarms with the same. I am in the process of switching to Ferguson Buckfast because I'm seeing some less than desirable testiness from the southern providers.
Here's a sample of the old advertising for Buckfast breeding:
During a two year test of six stocks of bees at the University of Minnesota, the Buckfast ranked:
Nosema in Queens - none
Acceptance - BEST (100%)
Spring Buildup - BEST
Gentleness - very gentle (second just behind Midnites)Swarming Tendency - very low (ranked second)
Propolizing - slight (All Buckfast colonies)
Longevity of Queens - TIED FOR BEST (87% after 16 months)
Wintering - TIED FOR BEST
and..
HONEY PRODUCTION - BEST (during two years). For details see the February, March, and April 1982 issues of American Bee Journal.
Housekeeping - Buckfast bees keep a clean, neat hive. This helps them to resist diseases of the brood.
Adaptation - These bees do well anywhere, but are especially well adapted to areas having damp, cold winters.
Compatibility - Buckfast Queens cross well with other breeds.
If that's not enough there's a pretty good synopsis here: http://www.rweaver.com/adam.php
Now if you're going to promote feral bees, well, yeah, yer foot's been shot :smile:
My yard is tiny, tiny, tiny. I have neighbors on all sides and none of them know I have bees, and I plan to keep it that way. It is legal to keep bees in my town, but only if you have a big yard, have them 50 feet from the property line, blah blah blah, all stuff I can't do because my yard is not big enough. So I figure if no one knows, no one will care.
My one hive is eight feet from the neighbor's yard (and the entrance faces his yard) but there's a six-foot fence between us, so the bees come out of the hive and immediately fly up. The neighbor parks a big boat right on the other side of the fence and never uses it, so no people are ever right there to see the bees. The hive is also next to my garage and a big tree. It is hidden from street view by a child's playhouse. It's only about 12 feet from my house. So the bees have a narrow slot where they come out of the hive and because of the surrounding trees, buildings, and fence, immediately fly almost straight up and are gone to sight. It is cool to sit in a chair in the backyard and look straight up--WOW, the traffic! But if you're looking sideways like a normal human does, they're pretty much invisible. So my advice for hiding a hive is to block it in with tall things. Also, if you paint it the same color as your house/garage/other outbuilding, it will blend in.
I have heard of people who paint them to look like air conditioners, recycling bins, etc. I may resort to that if I have to. Or if anyone finds out about my Langstroth and gives me a hard time, I might get a top bar hive and make a fake top for it with artificial flowers--to any glance, it will look like some kind of planter.
:wink:
Speaking of testiness...in beekeepers....sheesh Colo. No offense meant but it seems we have a difference of opinion.
I understand that there may be university studies....and in those studies there is a controlled test environment where domesticated bees are arbitrarily ranked against one another....but to make blanket statements that condemn any and all swarms whether they be cast offs from a domesticated hive or a truly feral colony and to eradicate them by re-queening without giving them a chance to prove their temper is an issue that may contribute to the breeding out of other desirable traits that would allow bees to better deal with the stresses modern man is placing on them.
I am still relatively new to this hobby so if your experience outweighs mine and I am in the wrong then so be it....but I think that presenting those sort of statements to the general non beekeeping public will do more harm than good and skew peoples attitude towards wild hives with the negative connotations being presented against the "evil dastardly feral" bees.
>Here's a sample of the old advertising for Buckfast breeding:...
And that was a good description of them back in the 70s... the ones I have seen in the current century however do not begin to be covered by the term "testy"...
No AHB in Ontario... :wink:
KeyLargo there's an old saying - you never really seem to learn from other peoples mistakes. I have 38 years of making beekeeping mistakes and trying to defend and nurture mean feral hives is how I got my start. I won't be starting over.
Whatever flips your switch.