Good points there Will. I remember bees all over the garden in spring one year.
The colony took it in their stride and didn’t seem reduced or weakened in any
way by it but for a couple of weeks there were young bees with deformed wings
all around the garden.
BW Ann
From: Will H
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2019 4:57 PM
To: oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [oxnatbees] Re: Bees and Babies
I have a hive in my domestic garden where my children play. It doesn't usually
cause a problem.
I second Ann's comment about barriers. Shape their flight path by putting a
barrier which they have to fly over. I've used a fence panel in the past. A
large bed sheet on a washing line can work too.
There are a few of other things to consider:
1.. in spring there may be diseased bees which crawl on the ground. These
will sting feet. Wear shoes and encourage Sparrows (which will eat them)
2.. when the bees are robbing they will circle the garden and may come into
contact with people. Don't set off robbing behaviour by putting out honey
3.. show your grandson the difference between the sound of a normal and an
angry bee. Normally they are a low, lazy buzz. When the bee is attacking the
sound is very high pitched. If you hear the latter walk or run away and find
someone to remove the bee from hair/clothing etc
4.. show him how to remove a bee sting. Quick action will greatly reduce the
pain. Do this after moving away from the bees
5.. explain about how bees get cross when they smell a bee which is crushed
or has stung. If he understands that he'll have some insight into when to leave
the area.
6.. He's only little so you should probably accompany him while he's near the
hive. I used to sit with my children on my knee near the hive. We looked for
bees with pollen baskets. They loved it. Attention spans are short at 1yo so
you don't have to sit for very long.
Will
On 05/04/2019 14:08, Ann Welch (Redacted sender ann_welch for DMARC) wrote:
Hi Dawn,
I don’t know how large your garden is but my son (much older and larger than
your grandson) was stung for simply standing some 10 ft. away from a single
hive in my garden BUT then he was standing directly in the bee line at the
time, on a hot sunny day, when they were extremely active. My dog also ended
up with a sting on his nose too for being a little too inquisitive (he runs
away now whenever he hears buzzing ! even if it’s just a fly bless him lol) !!!
I suspect the only real way to ensure your grandson can’t get near the bees
is to physically prevent him with a barrier of some sort. If you don’t want
to do that then you could try placing some potted plants in an arc around the
hive entrance to force the bees to fly high when they come and go from the
hive. The pots could be placed a few feet away from the entrance but would need
to he high enough to deflect the bees. Do try not to shade the hive too much
though.
I don’t know if you’ve been to Oxfordshire beekeeping association’s apiary in
Woodstock but they keep several hives at the back of a school. The hives are
surrounded by a high hedge. Also I’ve attached a picture of the beehives at
Buckingham nurseries. The nursery seem confident enough that the screen would
be sufficient to force the bees to go over the heads of visitors in such a
public place. The principle is the same in either case, a hedge or screen in
front / around the hive will send the bees high rather than long.
Hope that’s of some use
Good luck
Ann
From: Oxnatbees
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2019 9:24 AM
To: oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [oxnatbees] Bees and Babies
(Dawn, I think you meant this mail to go to the group,
oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx , not oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxx )
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Dawn Gosling
Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2019, 09:19
Subject: Bees and Babies
To: OxNatBees <OxNatBees@xxxxxxxxx>
On the eve of getting the bees my son asked about the safety of his son ( who
is 1 year) in the garden with 2 or more hives. I did try and assure him that
bees only sting if under threat but he is still a little anxious.
Those of you who have children or grandchildren can you tell me what your
safety first is and if there is anything I need to be aware of?
Thanks
