Camouflage Hives?

[bernsad]

Does anyone camouflage their hives or do anything else to disguise them when they place them out? For that matter, does anyone indulge in guerilla beekeeping, find a likely spot, drop some hives and wait to see who complains? I've found a run of gums just coming into flower by the roadside and I was thinking of putting a few hives in for a couple of weeks, but they would be only a short way off the roadside so I was thinking of camo to make them less obvious. I've been considering a camo paint job or wondering if I might find some camo netting to drape over the hives. Thoughts anyone.

[bigsting]

hi you can buy camo nets from ausy desposale storer or if you have a mate to get them forfree
you could drap one of these nets over 10 or more thay are big

[bernsad]

Aussie Disposals, I'll check them out. Thanks for the tip bigsting. Have you used them for that purpose?

[the-ecohouse.com]

Hey Bernsad

I make sure all of my hives parts are painted natural colors and then I mix them up.

Ie, all bases and spacers are woodland grey, hive boxes are range from bronze fig to raw cotton (dulux colors). NEVER white.

They blend in and can't be seen when they are out bush, make colors natural, nothing jarring to the eye.

Go guerilla beekeepers!

[lilyfrog]

Go guerilla,

I have 4 hives painted in neutral colours, that I keep ticking over in the corner of my site closest to home, for that reason. If I see something flowering in my travels, I will drop those 4 close by overnight and see what I can get from what was flowering.

[bernsad]

Go guerilla. I'm liking the sound of that, thanks guys.

[Lone]

Now I know who is supplying my bees with their stings.


:sheeple:

Stop armament trade across beehives.

Lone
My bees have earned their stripes.

[bernsad]

There should be an embargo on supplying them with stinger missiles you think?

[Lone]

Arrest the wing leaders in a sting operation.  Send in the drones!

[Wonga]

I live in the blue mountains, next door to bush, people walk through sometimes. I keep my hives neutral, I thought painting them white could attract unwanted attention, even though they are on my land. Thieves and vandals were my worry. Cold weather has just hit us here, bees were active yesterday, not so much today in the wind.

[Lone]

Painting them blue would be the best camouflage for you, Wonga.

[Wonga]

You're right, Lone. i like the idea of the guerrilla hives too, although maybe hard to work with them. As it is, mine are in the backyard, close and convenient. I like walking out in the morning with a cuppa early, to say hello.

[Gary and Margaret - kiwimana]

We do camo our swarm lures, if there in public spaces.

The bees can find them fine, but the teenagers don't see them :)

Sorry can't post images, but if you search for "Luring a passing Swarm" on our blog you can see a pic.

[Lone]

Hey..a kiwi!  Do you put a woolly blanket over to disguise them, Kiwimana?

:-D

[Gary and Margaret - kiwimana]

Hey..a kiwi!  Do you put a woolly blanket over to disguise them, Kiwimana?

:-D

Yep that's right Lone :). We hang our swarm lures at least six feet in a tree, so that confuses the people looking for Kiwis....

[KD4MOJ]

I'm about to do an experiment with camo on one of my hives... got the stencils in. I'll post some pics when I'm done.

...DOUG
KD4MOJ

[bernsad]

Post some pics of the process too if you don't mind.

[KD4MOJ]

I be sure to post the pics of the process... if the rain will ever stop, I might get some painting done! Folks in the midwest are in drought and we have flood advisories!

...DOUG
KD4MOJ

[Gary and Margaret - kiwimana]

Hey Guys,

I am allowed to post pics now  :), so here one of our Camouflaged swarm lures:-

[KD4MOJ]

If this darn rain will ever quit, I'll get to try out my camo painting.

...DOUG
KD4MOJ