i was checking my apple trees today, and i have a bee hive next to it in a pine tree.. this hive was built in less than 2 weeks, its as big as a watermellon. im afraid the grand kid may get stung.. any ideas .. thanks
I am sure that a local bee keeper would be delighted to remove the bees for you as bees are decreasing in number. You might even get some honey in return and your grandkids can have honey for tea. Margaret
Keep your grandchildren away from the tree with the bees. Leave the bees alone to serve as pollinators. I get stung at least once a year from bees or wasps and alltough you are aware of it when it happens, the pain goes away fairly quickly. Don't scratch it! Now, I don't want to hear all your horror stories about people who are allergic to bees stings. That isn't the point here. The point is to leave things alone even though it can hurt a little. Stop killing things just to prevent possible discomfort.
i agree with you, on leaving the bees alone, but its just like a wild animal that gets to close to the house,bang, bang.. this amount of bees can and will kill.. if i would have seen them building this thing i would have sent them else where, but now the have is very big..
I agree with leaving it be if you can. Kids need to learn about respecting fuzzy black and yellow striped flying insects without being irrationally fearful, and it's a good opportunity. They can learn about their daily rhythms (quiet at night, busy in sunlight) and watch them at work from a safe distance. You might have a bumper crop of whatever you grow! If they're bees, they are a threatened species and so it would be a real shame to hurt them. I don't hear of wild bees that often - might be a valuable genetic strain! It is a temporary inconvenience - I've gotten through years where hornets, wasps, and other things had nests in my yard. Edit: And the first advice was best - talk to a local beekeeper or find a forum on the internet where you can get some expert advice. Edit 2 - not killer bees are they? Definitely get expert advice.
i dont think there the killer bees we have heard of, but i have heard horror storries of bees attacking people that get close to the hive.. and its very close, i will try to call a bee keeper, but every body wants money.. i live in the country i have woods close by 30 feet. from my trees, i try not to bother the wild life, but as i say when they get close to the house ,there history.. same with the bees, i have apple and cherry trees among others. i know the pollenate my trees but just like the farmer next to me the deer etc damage his crops, at at times they must be dealt with.. dont worry i wont harm them unless they act first.... i will try to call a be keeper..
I'd agree with Margaret - contact a local beekeeper, who will take them away and house them properly. It is best for the bees, too, as unprotected outdoor hives like this have very poor survival rates in temperate climates.
all the bee keepers in my area want money..just to came out to my home..i have decided to let the bees and hive stay.. as long as they keep to themselfs.. i watched them for 1/2 hour today from 15 feet away..
Firstly there arent any killer bees this far north as far as I know...(assuming you are in or near BC) There is always a balance of concern for nature versus fear of potential harm when dealing with a situation like this and children,,, All those people who said "just leave it alone", and "dont kill the bees", while I would agree with you for the most part, when a hive is the "size of a watermelon" there is always the potential for swarming.. a little sting or two is something every kid should experience at least once in thier life..agreed... 200 stings is another story. However this is an extremely rare occurance and the chance is reduced to virtually nil when people know how to respect the insects, and know what behaviours precede an incident like that. Go to Wikipedia or some other site that would have the information, and teach your grandkids about what to be aware of with respect to behaviour of bees that are getting aggravated. Instead of a nuisance, the bees will become an amazing source of amusement and learning.... (and some darn good garden pollinators) if you know how to be neighbours with them. Cheers charliewood
I'll give a mea culpa that I didn't fully register the danger of swarming from bees vs. other similar insects. It does take a little guts and caution to keep them for that reason. Good summary, Charliewood, and by the way you can see a poster's location in the top right corner.
the bees are behaving.. i just cut the grass next to the tree they have there hive.. they never botherd me.. the hive is in a pine tree about three feet from the ground, its on the south east side, and even with the bad winters we have here they should survive.. i think the hive in the right spot for winter.. i did put a small barier around so the kids cant get to it.. i know this spring i didnt see to many bees.. if the behave they can stay.. but i have never seen a hive this big....
They are nice to have around especially if you have flowers - we encourage as many bees to come to our property as we can. They really are the most amazing insects, especially bumble bees who theoretically shouldnt be able to fly according to the laws of physics - but they pull it off! Im trying to figure that one out still :-) Cheers Charliewood
I seem to remember they did get that one figured out in the end - something to do with air behaviour in very small scale aerodynamics which doesn't apply to larger objects.