Safe distance for running a tractor/ mower

[labradorfarms]

Ok , A elderly guy mows my land in the Country. I just furnish him in fresh garden produce for payment. 
My question is how close can he get to my 2 Bee Hives without getting ate up by bee stings?? How many feet would be safe 5,10,15 ??
He mows with a  small tractor with a finishing mower attached.....


I don't want him getting stung and want to continue our deal!
I went with italian's because there supposed to be more gentle!

I am a new BK bye the way...

[sc-bee]

As close as he can get without getting lit up. Naw seriously different hives are different. Even the same hives are different on different days. Especially depends on time of year. If they are busy with a flow not too bad. If there is a dearth then may be worse. On the day or so after you take honey can be real pissy  :evil: Get him a veil and long sleeve shirt and can get fairly close. Have him make a few swipes and if he sees them load the landing board up by boiling out of the hive go elsewhere. 

[10framer]

my bees are 10 feet from my main road and i drive my tractor and truck right by them all the time.  i have had bees that wouldn't let you get anywhere near that close, though.

[sc-bee]

my bees are 10 feet from my main road and i drive my tractor and truck right by them all the time.  i have had bees that wouldn't let you get anywhere near that close, though.

I have done the same thing but sometimes that vibration of the mower ........ well you know  :bee: ouch.........

[RHBee]

I come as close as I can without hitting anything.  Just make sure that the discharge points away from the colonies. Never been stung.

[sc-bee]

I come as close as I can without hitting anything.  Just make sure that the discharge points away from the colonies. Never been stung.

i usually don't either but like a veil over my pretty mug and almost hit the entrance with the mower. But some days it ain't that way. Guess it depends on how tolerate your buddy is to stings  :-D

[rwlaw]

 I've done weedwacking/mowing around my hives and they could care less, two weeks later, they come boiling out with a vengeance, no rhyme nor reason, they just don't like it.
Tell him to stay at least ten ft away from the hives and you'll do the rest, that way all you'll be giving him is produce.

[Steel Tiger]

 I wear my veil get about 20 feet in front of the hives mowed. I've never had them boil out, but there are always 2 or 3 that chase me. I use a riding mower, so it's pretty quick work.

[bud1]

steve yo sting distance don't count fo most folks  I never saw but one other that those girls liked to tickle as much as they do you

[RHBee]

steve yo sting distance don't count fo most folks  I never saw but one other that those girls liked to tickle as much as they do you

I guess it does matter how hot your girls are. If I get stung mowing the offending hive gets a new queen.

[Edgy]

I have operated open cabbed dozers and skidders in the middle of yellow jacket nests and never been stung.  I think its the engine vibration that kept me safe.  I've never mowed near a beehive before but I would think they wouldn't be as hot as yellow jackets.

[KD4MOJ]

my bees are 10 feet from my main road and i drive my tractor and truck right by them all the time.  i have had bees that wouldn't let you get anywhere near that close, though.

I have done the same thing but sometimes that vibration of the mower ........ well you know  :bee: ouch.........

I learned that the hard way. With my push mover, no problem. When it died and I borrowed my brothers 50 in zero turn, they were on me like.... yep like that! Chased me to the front yard!

...DOUG
KD4MOJ

[gmcharlie]

the trick to tell him is to make a pass,  and stay away (mow elswhere for a few minutes)  then make another pass.  don't linger around them...  it takes them 30 seconds or so to get all riled up and find a target....  if they come out and no ones around  they go back to work if you will....

I keep about 30 in the yard and mow right next to them this way.....

[T Beek]

I use the rider and weed wacker right next to my hives...even hitting them w/ the string accidentally sometimes..........have never done it naked or anything crazy...but TBH....they've never once bothered or even tried to sting me when mowing or wacking around the hives...so far.....that said; I still wear a veil when doing so.......I like being able to 'hear' them if they get angry and that's hard with machines running......but so far...so good.... :)

I 'believe' much depends on the bees temperment and where 'your' head is at...... 8-)

[jredburn]

Put a rock garden under the hive so grass does not grow directly under it.  Put a screen/fence/barrier about 1 to 2 feet in front of the entrance so the bees have to fly upward to 6 or 7 feet above the ground before they can fly horizontal.

[Joe D]

I mow with a riding mower, and one to  two feet from hive.  Most of the time, no problem, once in a while though, I one buzz me at 20 feet.  Next round she got me.  The mowing before and after they didn't bother me at all.  Like RH said have discharge pointing the other way.




Joe