Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Third-party insurance (at least) is essential if you keep bees in an urban area, and
comprehensive insurance is very desirable in a country area. In urban areas, because
your hives are on a roof or in your garden, they are not likely to be stolen or vandalized,
but they might be the cause of a claim from a neighbour if the neighbour's washing is
soiled or if injury occurs. Bees kept in the countryside are not likely to offend anyone,
but may be stolen or vandalized in your absence.
In the UK, if you are a member of your local branch of any British national beekeeping
associations, you will receive automatic third-party insurance and can increase this
at a very reasonable cost. In Spain, basic insurance is provided if you belong to the
agricultural union, and it is worth investigating provisions such as these in your own
country or state.
As everyone knows, insurance is a complete waste of money until you need it and, if
you have it, you will probably never need it. All my brand-new hives (I had just fully re-
equipped), full of new, expensive, organically bred queens and bees were wiped out in a
forest fire in Spain. The reason the forest fire unexpectedly veered in my direction was
that the Big, Black Hand knew I was not yet insured! (I had three days to go.) With no
prospect of further income and kids to feed and debts to pay, I had to sell up and take a
beekeeping job in New Zealand, where I still reside. As you can see, not being insured
was a life-changing event for me and my family. So obtain insurance.
Now that your hives are in the correct place, near a convenient water source,
appropriately insured and generally out of sight of neighbours, you can install your
bees. Just before doing so, however, make sure you have 4 l (8 pt) of sugar syrup (2 l;
4 pt per hive). I make this by mixing 1 kg (2 lb) of sugar with 1 l (2 pt) of water (i.e.
thin syrup). Invert sugar is best for the fast development of a colony, and instructions
on how to prepare this are given in Chapter 9. Initially, however, use ordinary white
granulated sugar and warm water. Stir this well until it is clear.
