Sue Helm used to be in our group and had 6-7 hives, but withdrew from
beekeeping when she developed an allergy to stings. She is offering an
out-apiary site which sounds interesting:
"we are moving house in September to Foscot, near Bledington and we will
have 7 acres so there is scope for a beekeeper to put some hives on our
land. I should flag up that there are badgers on site though so it may be
less attractive. Dieter wants to create a big orchard of heritage apples
which is what would have occupied the land until the fifties so a few
pollinators would be very welcome. Perhaps you could put out the word."
She is an expert at botany and when we visited her previous garden apiary
it was stuffed with great bee-friendly plants, so I imagine this will be a
good site.
If anyone's interested let me know.
A few factors to consider for out-apiaries:
- Security (from people) ie hidden behind a hedge or something
- Access - can you drive a vehicle right up to it
- Assume you will lose all swarms because no one will see them
- Water supply
- Shelter during storms. You will need to strap down roofs.
- Badgers. IF they learn hives are delicious they will smash right
through a National or WBC. I have not heard of them getting into Warres.
- Large animals like deer can scratch against vertical hives like Warres
and knock them over. TBHs are much more stable. Vertical hives need to be
permanently strapped to a stable base.
Paul
