There's a new bee ordinance in my area

[Michael Bush]

I would make the case that the density of bees stays pretty constant.  What isn't constant is whether they are in hives, where they are easily managed if they get defensive, or if they are in trees and soffets, where they are difficult to manage.  "Nature abhors a vacuum. "   If domestic hives are moved out, wild bees will move in to take their place.

[bwallace23350]

I would make the case that the density of bees stays pretty constant.  What isn't constant is whether they are in hives, where they are easily managed if they get defensive, or if they are in trees and soffets, where they are difficult to manage.  "Nature abhors a vacuum. "   If domestic hives are moved out, wild bees will move in to take their place.

This is the exact reasoning I hear why it is even more important to have managed hives in AHB areas.

[BeeMaster2]

Wallace,
That is why the state of FL took over control of managed hives in FL. Local communities were banning beekeeping out of fear of AHBs and creating voids. This allowed AHBs to dominate those areas. You do not hear much about AHBs problems here now.
Jim

[bwallace23350]

Wallace,
That is why the state of FL took over control of managed hives in FL. Local communities were banning beekeeping out of fear of AHBs and creating voids. This allowed AHBs to dominate those areas. You do not hear much about AHBs problems here now.
Jim

Good call. People ask me about the AHB all along and I tell them they are not in Alabama yet but they probably will be eventually. Hopefully they will calm down though but even without AHB people are skiddish of the bees. Kinda odd but then again I have been fascinated by bees much longer than I have been a beek.

[FlexMedia.tv]

Flex, first if I lived in town I would ask my neighbors if they had a problem with me raising honey bees. 

Joe D. I don't know if I'll start any at my home. Maybe! I have some pretty good neighbors. I hope the ordinance passes without too many restrictions so whoever wants to raise bees in the residential areas can experience beekeeping no mater where they live.

Art

[FlexMedia.tv]

I would make the case that the density of bees stays pretty constant.

True, I did say Bee's go where the flowers are. It's best to have calm managed Bee's by beekeepers than wild Bee's joining a gang and terrifying people.

[Michael Bush]

Try this comparison... would you rather have people keeping domestic dogs or would you rather have wild dogs?  That's the choice you are making about bees.  Will someone be managing them or not?

[FlexMedia.tv]

Try this comparison... would you rather have people keeping domestic dogs or would you rather have wild dogs?

Michael,
I think they gathered that concept from my conversation because they are moving forward with it. Fortunate for us there were some other more experienced beekeepers there who also talked. They proposed the ordinance along with (but separate from) a chicken ordinance. A lot of beekeepers raise chickens too? Not my bag!

[TheBroodLord]

A lot of beekeepers raise chickens too? Not my bag!

Beelieve it or not, chickens and bees go well together. It is believed that chickens which are allowed to range around the hive will help keep non-flying insect pests at bay, and the birds are smart enough to not bother the bees.

[FlexMedia.tv]

Well, that explains it!