There's a new bee ordinance in my area

FlexMedia.tv · February 20, 2017, 10:30:39 AM

In the township where I live in Michigan you can only have hives in the rual areas and not residential areas. I live in the residential area but I keep my hives an hour away where they are allowed for that reason. Tonight there is a township meeting to look into a new proposal to allow Bee's and chickens, on separate proposals. This was motivated by a beekeeper in the residential area who got caught with 4,5 hives and they made him move them because his neighbor complained she was allergic.

What do I say at this meeting? I want to say allow the bees without restrictions (area, number of hives, etc) because it's too hard to regulate anyway. Anybody got any ammo? Doesn't look like many people are going to the meeting.

Thanks,
Art

bwallace23350 · February 20, 2017, 10:56:18 AM

I would go in armed with the facts about how bees benefit the environment and how not allowing them in the residential area has a negative impact on everything.

Hops Brewster · February 20, 2017, 11:02:18 AM

That's not going to do much to fight the fear factor, which is often the greatest hurdle to jump. Be prepared with your expert knowledge of bees and their habits to fight the fear.
Pointing to the success of similar communities with bee-friendly rules can be helpful, and that there is a trend in this direction.

bwallace23350 · February 20, 2017, 11:33:41 AM

The fear is hte biggest hurdle I have faced in getting people to even think about going to my hives much less keeping some near them. Everyone seem interested but no one wants to actually take a peak. I have had two people take me up on my offer so far out of near 20 something offers.

FlexMedia.tv · February 20, 2017, 11:44:42 AM

Looks like a professor from Michigan State University who belongs to the same Bee Club I belong to is going. That will be great for the technical support. Side note, I have friends who raise Bee's and chickens at the same time. I don't know why they get into chickens....

I'm reading up on what other local townships are doing. Thanks for the advise. Keep them coming!

Dallasbeek · February 20, 2017, 02:18:54 PM

I'd point out that bees don't respect artificial boundaries. If there are flowering plants that attract bees and there are suitable places for bees to form a hive, swarms from rural areas will populate the urban areas sooner or later. It would be better to have managed hives in the urban environment than to have feral hives that have no oversight.

bwallace23350 · February 20, 2017, 02:21:59 PM

Quote from: Dallasbeek on February 20, 2017, 02:18:54 PM
I'd point out that bees don't respect artificial boundaries. If there are flowering plants that attract bees and there are suitable places for bees to form a hive, swarms from rural areas will populate the urban areas sooner or later. It would be better to have managed hives in the urban environment than to have feral hives that have no oversight.

I would tell them that and let them know that beeks choose docile hives and ferals can be pretty mean if left to choose queens on there on

little john · February 20, 2017, 03:00:07 PM

I don't know if you'll be able to do a presentation at this meeting - but if you do, then treat them to a video ...

Here are 3 - it's series called 'Video for Bienen - Ein Volk und seine K?nigin' - unfortunately in German - but just watch the first video, about 1/3rd the way in - where a bunch of schoolchildren are introduced to the bees. Gorgeous bees - Carniolans, the same as I keep.

Code Select

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K067_JWDMjM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHQTt17MAmI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygS8m20ROQ4

Enjoy.
LJ

FlexMedia.tv · February 20, 2017, 03:02:02 PM

Dallasbeek and Bwallace,
Now that's a good point. I feel comfortable talking about that. What else? *wink!*

FlexMedia.tv · February 20, 2017, 03:05:11 PM

Quote from: little john on February 20, 2017, 03:00:07 PM
I don't know if you'll be able to do a presentation at this meeting - but if you do, then treat them to a video ...

Hey thanks Littlejohn, I can't but I will review it and make comments from it,
Thanks!

bwallace23350 · February 20, 2017, 03:41:02 PM

Quote from: little john on February 20, 2017, 03:00:07 PM
I don't know if you'll be able to do a presentation at this meeting - but if you do, then treat them to a video ...

Here are 3 - it's series called 'Video for Bienen - Ein Volk und seine K?nigin' - unfortunately in German - but just watch the first video, about 1/3rd the way in - where a bunch of schoolchildren are introduced to the bees. Gorgeous bees - Carniolans, the same as I keep.

Code Select Expand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K067_JWDMjM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHQTt17MAmI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygS8m20ROQ4

Enjoy.
LJ

How do you like your Carnolians? If I get a third hive next year I want to get Carnolians.

little john · February 20, 2017, 04:35:25 PM

Quote from: bwallace23350 on February 20, 2017, 03:41:02 PM
How do you like your Carnolians? If I get a third hive next year I want to get Carnolians.

Well, for me, getting the Carnies was the best move I've ever made. Before they arrived I had the bees from hell - unprovoked stinging, following, inspections involved trying to work with a cloud of bees in my face. The worst part was when they laid siege to the house - circling around the door waiting for me to come out. That used to last for 2 days after each inspection.

Now I can walk around the apiary at any time with a smile on my face. Inspections are enjoyable, and when each hive is put back together - that's it - there's no 'consequences' like before. I still carry a veil, and sometimes wear it (usually with the bottom of it undone) 'just in case', if there's a weather front moving in. But no need anymore for gloves or beesuit.

Just love 'em.
LJ

bwallace23350 · February 20, 2017, 05:08:01 PM

What kind of bees did you have?

FlexMedia.tv · February 20, 2017, 10:36:44 PM

I gave my 2 minute speak. I think it worked! They will move forward with the proposal. I just hope they don't come up with ridiculous restraints that keep good beekeepers away from the profession.

Acebird · February 21, 2017, 08:36:30 AM

Quote from: FlexMedia.tv on February 20, 2017, 10:30:39 AM
I want to say allow the bees without restrictions (area, number of hives, etc) because it's too hard to regulate anyway.

It is very easy to regulate because if you break the law you are already a criminal. Once someone gets stung for any reason including by some other insect other than a honeybee you can find yourself trying to defend your criminal activity. Part of the fear is people doing what ever the heck they want when it affects other people around them. Compromise is the best avenue to strive for. That means regulations and restrictions.

FlexMedia.tv · February 21, 2017, 10:06:32 AM

Quote from: Acebird on February 21, 2017, 08:36:30 AM
Quote from: FlexMedia.tv on February 20, 2017, 10:30:39 AM
I want to say allow the bees without restrictions (area, number of hives, etc) because it's too hard to regulate anyway.

It is very easy to regulate because if you break the law you are already a criminal.

True, but it's the enforcement part, at least in our area. Some will go unbothered others will be pestered with local neighbors being the snitches. Most beekeepers are rule followers. I am. That's why I have my hives 40 miles away from my home where they are allowed.

little john · February 21, 2017, 10:33:45 AM

Quote from: bwallace23350 on February 20, 2017, 05:08:01 PM
What kind of bees did you have?

AMM - the British, or German Black Bee. Heavily mongrelised - which often results in that kind of behaviour.

Good news re: that meeting ...

LJ

bwallace23350 · February 21, 2017, 11:12:42 AM

Quote from: little john on February 21, 2017, 10:33:45 AM
Quote from: bwallace23350 on February 20, 2017, 05:08:01 PM
What kind of bees did you have?

AMM - the British, or German Black Bee. Heavily mongrelised - which often results in that kind of behaviour.

Good news re: that meeting ...
LJ

Yeah heard those are big

BeeMaster2 · February 21, 2017, 12:19:57 PM

Quote from: little john on February 21, 2017, 10:33:45 AM
Quote from: bwallace23350 on February 20, 2017, 05:08:01 PM
What kind of bees did you have?

AMM - the British, or German Black Bee. Heavily mongrelised - which often results in that kind of behaviour.

Good news re: that meeting ...
LJ

The American Indians call them White Man's flies. They were not happy when we brought them because they are so mean. Our Italian bees are just as docile.
Jim

Joe D · February 22, 2017, 01:34:58 AM

Flex, first if I lived in town I would ask my neighbors if they had a problem with me raising honey bees. You can tell them they could get local honey, possibly a free pint when you harvest some. Your bees will bee going into their yards for the flowers, and what one of the complaints could bee will be when the bees start getting their water from their swimming pools.
I don't have to worry much here, people are a lot closer than they were a few years ago, now I have a couple 1/4 of a mile away. Used to bee close to a mile.

Good luck with getting your bees home.

Joe D