Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Bees from my home apiary in Spain found a small crack in the lid of our septic tank
and drew their 'water' supply from this until I managed to seal it up. This occurred even
though there was a stream nearby. I did feel a bit guilty about selling the honey for a
while after this, and felt it best not to advertise the fact on the jar label.
So, to avoid these problems, provide a clean water supply if one doesn't exist already.
Avoiding complaints
To minimize complaints from neighbours, observe the following rules:
Don't keep too many hives on the property. Keep two or three at the most.
Provide a water source.
Keep gentle bees.
Maximize your swarm-prevention techniques (explained in Chapter 6).
Collect any swarms quickly if they do occur.
Stop bees from robbing (explained in Chapter 8).
Put the hives in a sunny, sheltered position, out of sight of neighbours.
Erect a high fence around them to make them fly high after leaving the hive.
Talk about your bees and their amazing pollination abilities with fruit and crops.
Give your honey to your neighbours.
Keeping bees in an urban area takes common sense, explanation/education, gentle
involvement, if possible, and a huge charm offensive involving honey. You will be
surprised to find just how many people take a real interest in bees - if you take the
trouble to tell them about bees and as long as they feel safe from them.
The need to prevent drifting is the same in urban areas but, with fewer hives and a lack
of space for long rows of hives, drifting will probably be very much reduced. Make sure
your entrances face different ways, however.
