Should I move my hives?

D Semple · September 20, 2011, 06:31:40 PM

New neighbors moved in with 3 very small children. We both have large 1 ½ acre open lots (no fences). My hives are about from 40' from their property line and about 200' from their home. Lots are back to back.

To complicate matters I'm currently a gorilla beekeeper in the sense that right at the moment I have 17 hives and they only allow 3 in the suburb I'm in (it was an honest accident I caught too many). So far all my bees are very gentle (knocking on wood).

The new neighbors haven't asked me to move them, I'm just nervous with their kids being so young and there being no fences.

What do you think, should I move them off my property?

Don

AllenF · September 20, 2011, 07:08:51 PM

Educate them and maybe get them into beekeeping also. But the ball would be in their court on you bees. You may have to move 14 hives.

iddee · September 20, 2011, 07:16:20 PM

A small fenced lot around the bees, a jar of honey, and a long conversation would go a long ways.

JP · September 20, 2011, 08:15:46 PM

Hate to say it Don but it kinda seems as though you've answered your own question. ;) Coupled with your own concerns and that the ordinance only allows three hives I would either move fourteen or reduce the amount you have with permission to keep more than three of course, which may/may not be difficult to come by.

The main concern here besides temperament would be how well you can manage them. One swarm that winds up in their yard on the ground could spell trouble for an innocent and curious child.

Just be careful and very upfront with your new neighbors about your bees.

...JP

NJClydeDriver · September 20, 2011, 08:58:21 PM

Communication is the key! If you find out that one or more is allergic and you knowingly went over the limit, that might be grounds for the oh so hated "law suit". We have a business and sorry to say, people look at it like winning the lottery. Insurance is killing us because we have to guard for every single little thing they can think of. When they actually see how gentle they are, how much they benefit their backyard garden and the sweet return they get, they can't resist becoming willing participants. Don't tell them, show them, and they will be more open to it.
NJClydeDriver

FRAMEshift · September 20, 2011, 09:00:20 PM

I commend you for thinking of the children first, and your instincts are right. Regardless of what agreement you have with the neighbors, if you have more than 3 hives and the kids get hurt, your liability is huge.

All of the advice above is good. If you can get the limit raised, then do that. If not, move 14 hives. And you need a fence around the hives. And you need to take the neighbors a jar of honey. :-D

D Semple · September 20, 2011, 11:00:32 PM

Your all right, I'll get them moved, except for a couple which I'll bring up to one of our front gardens closer to our house and put up some fencing around those, wouldn't want to hurt a kid.

Thanks for helping me think it thru,

Don

Michael Bush · September 20, 2011, 11:11:21 PM

A six foot fence around the hives will not only camouflage them somewhat, but it will get the bees overhead so they aren't bumping into people.

affreux · September 20, 2011, 11:19:30 PM

When I got to checking for my own liability I found: if they get stung at their pool and you didn't provide water at hive, you are negligent. If you do not have a fence around hives, (with lock) you are negligent. If you do not have a sign warning of bees and danger you are negligent. And the worst, If a swarm causes a problem and you cannot show you exercise proper swarm control you may be found negligent. Mine are behind a 6' locked fence with poultry watering devices by each.

hankdog1 · September 21, 2011, 01:36:25 AM

Ooooh heck just take a jar of honey over welcome them to the neighborhood. Explain your situation and see where you stand. Even if they rat you out and you have to move some they may come around later on after they are able to get used to the idea. Most people are afraid of what they don't know. Good luck and hope you don't have to move but if you do take it in stride and still be a good neighbor. Last thing you want is a Hatfield and McCoy feud over a few stands of bees.

montauk170 · September 21, 2011, 03:02:10 AM

Dang, sorry to hear that but I too am in the same boat right now. Neighbor said she is highly allergic to bees. And being bee removers we get way too many hives.
I have 15 right now and supposed to only have 2. :-D Have only 10K sq ft lot. Wish I had acres! Sold many already but good thing is I have secured some land at some farms nearby where I will place hives there and teach classes, and donate the money back to the farms (non-profits).

D Semple · September 21, 2011, 09:57:42 AM

I'm not worried about being "ratted out", my hives are in open site and everybody in the neighborhood knows their there and seems to like it. We all garden and it's a semi-rural area that is about a 50-50 mix of suburban homes and farmland.

It's been fun having them right at the house this 1st year, but I don't mind having to move them, by this time next year I suspect I'll have close to 50 hives and will need outyards anyhow.

Thanks for all the input, I've already sent over honey and I'll make a point to talk to them soon.

Don

hareman · September 21, 2011, 11:42:16 AM

Another problem that you might have is - if you put up a sign warning of the danger of having bees on your property, your homeowner's liability insurance might be cancelled, because you knowingly are allowing a possible endangerment to exist there.
Now-a-days, it seems that the insurance companies in my area are actively seeking ways to either drop their long time policy holders or to greatly increase their rates.

iddee · September 21, 2011, 12:06:51 PM

If I were to put up a sign, it would not say something like "Caution, dangerous bees".

It would say something like "Notice, honey factory. Bees working".

Scadsobees · September 21, 2011, 01:32:02 PM

I've got between 6 and 10 hives, on my 1/2 acre, and I have 5 of my own small children (ok, they were small at one time). Sure, they've been stung occasionally, but just as many wasps and other bees as honeybees (they'll catch anything!). But I have quite a lot of trees in the area.

17 is getting up there, yeah, maybe best to move them. If they are smaller hives, building up, stacked, then I don't see a huge problem with it.

sc-bee · September 21, 2011, 02:27:28 PM

When you go to asking the neighbors questions about the interaction of the kids with the bees a red flag immediately goes up for them.

17 hives on 1 1/2 acres with restrictions that say three--- you can't win that battle --- I would choose not to fight it. Maybe keep one or two and try to ease the neighbors into beekeeping without the sight of 17 boxes full of stinging insects. Even with a couple a fence would be nice.

mikecva · September 22, 2011, 02:25:07 PM

Oops, I am sorry to say that I believe your are in a no win situation. As someone will eventually rat you out. You can go over the allowable if you are saving a swarm, but only for a short time.

As for your neighbors, (after you have moved out the extras or as you are planing to) talk with them, let them know that foraging bees very seldom sting but that you are concerned about the children. Offer to teach the children about bees and honey and go with a jar of your honey as a hello. Remember though that some people are 'all about them' types and will rat you out in a heart beat then try to make your life a living hell (there are always some)

sc-bee I like your signature line -Mike

D Semple · September 23, 2011, 11:18:05 AM

Just an FYI followup

Wife and I met the new neighbors with the little kids last night and they are really good folks and fine with the bees. Buys me a little time, but doesn't really change my plans I will still be moving all but 2 or 3 to an outyard early next spring.

Thanks for the advice folks,

Don

JP · September 23, 2011, 11:31:35 AM

Well done Don, best of luck!

...JP

cam · September 23, 2011, 02:40:52 PM

I presently have 20 nucs in my backyard, along with 3 large hives. Little kids on 2 sides. About an acre lot with a 6' fence along the back line. I have kept bees here for 4 years. Never had a problem. Most of my neighbors are happy to have the bees. I have a den with large windows overlooking the hives and the kids come over from time to time to watch safely while I work the hives. Been good for them, they have little fear, but good respect for bees. Might want to do that with your bees.