Grass cutting around the hive

[Algonam]

I am setting up an electric fence to keep bears away.
I am wondering how close to a hive I should be cutting the grass. Part of the fence comes as close as 3 ft from the back of a hive and I am wondering if they will be disturbed by a lawnmower or a whipper snipper?
The other distances are: 8 ft from the sides and 15ft from the front.

I need to keep the grass short and cleaned up in order for a bear to be well grounded.

Also, should I cut in the late evening when they are al lquiet and inside?   or when they are actively coming and going during the day?

Thank you.

[Kathyp]

i usually put my jacket on to run the weed whacker near the hive.  i do it when i do it.  most of the time the bees don't seem to care, but sometimes they get testy.  better to be safe, i think.

[joebrown]

Better to cut grass in the early morning when most are still in the hive. During the day and in the late afternoon, foragers are coming in and out. You could also use a barrier to prevent grass growth as well. Carpet, cardboard,plastic....just NO pesticides, insecticides or herbicides please!! :-D

[schawee]

i cut the grass around the hive between noon and 3pm.i smoke the hives before i cut . i have no problem.        ...    schawee

[annette]

I am with Schawee on the timing. When the bees are out foraging in mid day I think they are so focused on foraging. I have never gotten stung mowing during the day on a nice, warm, sunny day.

[joebrown]

Well I guess that depends. My father in law got stung three times a few weeks ago mowing around the hives. The flow was on and they evidently did not need any distractions. No smoke was used though. Good idea, however most people (me included) are to lazy to drag out the smoker and just take the chance!

[rober]

I mow mid afternoon. I'm on a rider & mow right up to the hives. The backside is never a problem. I'm mowing in an oval loop & when I pass by the front I'm moving fast. By the time I come around again it's been a few minutes. So far I've not been chased or stung. I'm not suited up but I am wearing long pants & a long sleeve shirt. I also mulched heavily around the hives so I come no closer than 2 feet of any side of the hives. I put a layer of old carpet down & mulched over that. It takes several years for the carpet to break down so it is very effective at controlling any growth near the hives.

[schawee]

joe,i have 6 beeyards and they get cut every week and i i never got stung .smoke is your best friend  :-D     ...schawee

[freshbulletbill]

I also cut mid-day I use a push mower in case i have to run I can leave the mower behind, riding mowers can sometimes be to slow when your in a hurry.  I start away from the hives and move closer each pass so I can keep an eye out for any aggressive activity.     

[D Coates]

I've got lit up string trimming last year after the flow had stopped.  I haven't done it since, it was downright unsettling.  I didn't smoke ahead of time.  I'll be sure to do that now.  Thanks for the heads up.

[yockey5]

When I mow I do the honeybee hive thing, never a problem yet. I just get in and get out.

[AllenF]

My wife mowed the yard last week and did not even get buzzed.   I even have a queenless nuc on the front porch.

[L Daxon]

I am like rober. Use my ridding mower at various times of day. Got a concrete pad about 2 ft. around the hive and I mow right up to it once a week and have not been stung or chased in 1 1/2 summers.  One of these days I might get popped but so far so good.

Ld

[Brian D. Bray]

I just cut the tall grass around my bee hives today.  I used an Echo 2 cycle weedeater.  I was in a short sleeve shirt and no veil.
Here's how I keep from getting stung.
1.  Stand to the side or behind the hives while operating the weedeater.
2.  Don't stand in such a way that places the motor (gas or electric) in front of or near the entrance.
3.  Ignore the head butts and investigators.
4.  Work from one end to the other or in a circular pattern.
5.  Project confidence, it's like the decission not to use gloves, fear gets you stung.

[joebrown]

5.  Project confidence, it's like the decission not to use gloves, fear gets you stung.

I believe there is a lot of truth to this statement! I think the bees like many other animals can sense fear! 

[CapnChkn]

Depending on the configuration of the stands, you could get cardboard or newspaper and lay it underneath to smother the weeds and cover that with a good thick layer of mulch.  Old leaves or grass clippings work, if you need decorative, you can get the stuff in the bags.  If your county has a "lawn waste" program, there should be plenty of free mulch at the facility.

One thing, if you use cardboard the clear plastic tape DOES NOT BIODEGRADE.  I was fooled into believing that, and am still picking up strands of plastic in the garden.  Newspaper rots a lot faster than the cardboard and blows all over if you don't get it covered quick enough.

[antaro]

I mow each week and don't think twice. Haven't had an issue.

[T Beek]

I mow or use the weed wacker right next to my hives at all times of the day and I've never had an issue as yet, but I always wear a veil, there's just something about not hearing the bees over the mower that still freaks me out.  Just don't direct the out-flow toward the bees, that would be asking for it.

I've never used a smoker before mowing, not for the little bit of time it takes to get the job done, a couple passes with mower and a minute or so at each hive with weed-wacker.  Of course it takes a little longer to clear under the electric fence.

Don't forget to bait your fence.  Peanut butter works well and lasts a while,  Just one lick is 'usually' enough to convince a Bear to move on.  Notice I said 'usually." 

thomas

[AllenF]

Some of us with older lawn mowers do not have to smoke them.   :-D

[Picobrew]

My lawn mower is 14 years old.  We don't let him smoke.