bees won't forage near hive?

[eri]

After reading numerous posts about bees not foraging what's been intentionally planted nearby (because they've found something else they like better) I wondered about an alternate explanation. This article http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7530666.stm, about bees being used for research to track serial killers, posits a theory:

The researchers' analysis describes how bees create a "buffer zone" around their hive where they will not forage, to reduce the risk of predators and parasites locating the nest.

The article is short on data, like how large the buffer zone might be, but it sorta makes sense, and may be useful for planning plant locations. Anyone have any personal observations that do or don't jive with this?

[limyw]

I ever observed my bees foraged nearby hives, I estimated within 10 mtr.

[Cindi]

Well, I am not too sure.  I have masses of extremely attractive bee plants planted within a few feet of the apiary, and longs ways away too, they forage within 10 feet of their colonies easily, no problems there, it is the types of forage that they love I guess.  Beautiful, most wonderful days, Cindi

[Kathyp]

my buckwheat is planted in the pasture that hosts my hives.  they are all over it.

[Bill W.]

Mine are working fireweed three feet in front of the hives and earlier this year they were working salmonberry five feet behind.  They also work the clover all over the yard around them.

Now, the bulk of them do tend to fly a bit farther to big open fields, but I never have any lack of bees in the immediate area.

[Michael Bush]

I have bee plants all around and in the beeyard.  While they often fly past them for other things, they also often work them when they are making more nectar.

[SgtMaj]

I was curious about how the bees were going to track down serial killers, so I read the article, and realized something... this article is specifically referring to bumble-bees rather than honey bees, so there may be some differences between the way those two forage.