Newbie question: How do you mow & trim.......

krb7694 · September 11, 2006, 11:11:02 PM

around your hives without getting stung? I hear bees hate mowers & weedeaters.

Brian D. Bray · September 12, 2006, 12:14:20 AM

I ignore them and they ignore me--usually. one approach is to plan you mowing so that the exit shute is never pointed towards the hive. The breeze and grass being blown into the hive gets them proddy.

bassman1977 · September 12, 2006, 12:31:34 AM

I weed wacked once this year but it REALLY needs it again. I did it at night when the bees weren't flying. If you just want to put it off, one trick I learned from this site is to use some roofing shingle and surround the hive with it. The weeds/grass still come up around it but if you put two or three "courses" around the hive you can provide the bees and yourself plenty of unobstructed room.

qa33010 · September 12, 2006, 01:09:03 AM

Usually like Brian said, with the chute pointed away although with the close space we have the chute does point at the hives at times. Neither my wife or I have had any problems mowing (gas) or weed eating (electric) or when ever we hand pull. Of course our hives are anywhere from 9"-20" off the ground.

David

BEE C · September 12, 2006, 06:54:56 AM

I cut the grass at a commercial apiary this season, my trick was to wear my beesuit while riding the lawnmower at top speed past the hives. There were long rows of hives and I would race past on the ride on mower, and they usually didn't have time to make the connection with the loud, fast moving object...usually. :D

Michael Bush · September 12, 2006, 09:40:15 PM

>How do you mow & trim.......

I don't.

http://www.bushfarms.com/bees.htm

denart · September 13, 2006, 08:22:29 PM

It works for me to mow and empty my clippings into the mulch bin that is next to my hive...no problem so far....but if my wife or son is mowing and trimming I do the area next to the hive and empty into the mulch bin...just to be on the safe side.
If one get me..well thats part of beekeeping...but I don't think they would see it that way.......don't want to loose my free help :)
dennis

BeeHopper · September 13, 2006, 08:50:31 PM

I wait till dusk and use a weedeater to cut down real low. Seems if there is less traffic, less angry bees. I cut in front of the hives quickly just to get it over with. I've had no stings since cutting at dusk. Good Luck :D

Grant · September 14, 2006, 02:47:14 PM

I mow in the mornings. The bee don't bother me . Once in awhile I will get hit by one because of being in the flight path