Chicken Licken Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I am really interested in keeping bees. The question is would I have enough space. I have an allottment behind my house - it is long and narrow - home to a greenhouse, fruit bushes, space for the chooks and a veg plot. Would I have room for a beehive too? What do I need to know - any suggestions welcome please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Well, I've only done Week 1 of my six-week beekeeping course, but I would say yes. All you need is a space big enough to take a hive or two, and obviously a bit of room to move around them. Bees will fly up to three miles (1.5 miles from the hive, but in either direction) to look for nectar, so it doesn't matter how big or small the area is where you keep the hives. If you place the hive with the entrance a metre away from a barrier (fence or hedge) then the bees will fly upwards, and above head-level, rather than flying straight towards your neighbours. I strongly recommend that you go to the BBKA site and look for your local bee-keeping association, and see if they are running any courses. There's quite a lot to learn, and although you can buy books on it, I think that some hands-on experience is essential. They'll also be able to give you advice on where to buy kit, what you need, etc. Most courses seem to be run around this time of year. Just a thought - is the allotment part of an organised site? You might need to check if they have any rules about livestock, my friend has an allotment but was told when she took it on that bees are not allowed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I've jsut startted a beekeeping course, too, just in the evenings. Joining your local association is a really really good idea, as local climate, flora, varroa outbreaks, weather just won't be covered by any books and local advice and a mentor will be so useful. Also they usually have things like extraction gear you can borrow, which is ideal as you'd only use it once or twice a year and it's expensive. The course I'm doing is 7 weeks, a couple of hours one evening a week, and costs £14. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 wow that's a bargain chickenanne, my course is £35! It does include a free book though which is very good. I agree with all you've said - apparently it's best to get local bees, as they will be adapted to the local flora, and the hands-on experience and help you can get just can't be covered in a book. I'm hoping to find out about second-hand kit and so on, but most importantly I want to get to know local beekeepers so that if I get a problem I can ring someone up and ask for help! I didn't know, but discovered last week, that if you keep bees then they may be subject to inspection, and if varroa or American Foulbrood or similar are found, then the hives will be burned. Joining your local bee-keeping association, which will be affiliated to the BBKA, will also enable you to buy insurance against this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted February 20, 2009 Author Share Posted February 20, 2009 Thanks guys - I knew I could rely on you. There is a course beginning on the 7th March not too far from here - and it is on a saturday rather than a week day evening which is much better for me. I have emailed to see if there are any places left. The allotment belongs to me - each house here has it's own plot out back to grow things on. I am covenanted from keeping cows, but bees are definitely allowed (would have to check with the neighbours first!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I didn't know, but discovered last week, that if you keep bees then they may be subject to inspection, and if varroa or American Foulbrood or similar are found, then the hives will be burned. This would only happen for AFB - everyone has Varroa and it has to be kept under control but we'd have no bees left if the hives and bees had to be destroyed! AFB and EFB are notifiable diseases - varroa is just an unfortunate given if you keep bees. I am off to look for a link to the man who has an Ebay shop and who makes his own National hives. We bought two hives from him - they are delivered ready assembled and are good hives. We went to a beekeeping meeting about basic beekeeping (there is an assessment you can take) last Thursday and spoke to one of the newbies starting this years course....she was interested in a ready assembled one. I'll post details on here later......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbug Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Was looking at a site to do with national science & engineering week 6-15 march. www.saveourbees.org.uk thought it might be interesting.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 oh it's the AFB and EFB, sorry - I was just so at the thought that the hives might have to be burnt! I would love the link, Lesley, in fact I was going to ask you for it next time I came on here. It's week 2 of my course tomorrow but I am already convinced that I want to give this a go, and apparently May is a good time to start a hive off so I want to do some sums and work out if I can do this. I've already run it past one of the neighbours and he was fine with the idea (he doesn't have young children, admittedly). I might just wait and see if the other neighbours notice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Here is the link to the Ebay shop - the owner is very helpful if you need to email him. We've had two hives from him and other various bits and pieces. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=150324396233 I think you'd need to ask him about frames. They are separate and you do assemble those yourself. He doesn't sell the wax foundation so the best thing it to contact Thornes for one of their catalogues, they show how to put frames and hives together. You would need to order wired foundation sheets - 10/11 for each Super and 10/11 for the brood box. Thornes are very helpful on the phone as well and will discuss the wax foundation you will need. You can compare prices from Beesupplies with the Thornes catalogue and decide what else to order - we ordered our smoker, frames, hive tool, bee escape and bee brush from him as there is no extra postage, he packs them inside the hive. I passed the link to one of the local beekeepers yesterday, to pass on to one of the people on the current beginners course, and he was a bit dismissive........he thinks it is good for people to assemble their own Why is it that people who have retired seem to forget how busy life is when you're still working? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thanks Lesley, will check this out ... I think I'd rather buy ready-assembled unless there's a huge price difference, otherwise it could be next year before I get bees! I have a bad track record of buying things and then not getting round to putting them together, the irrigation system (reduced at Homebase 2 years ago), the greenhouse vent and various other items mouldering in the garage are all testament to this. We have to take a hammer, pliers and Stanley knife to the bee-keeping class tonight, so I believe we are going to learn how to assemble frames tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 A genteleman on my beekeeping course found this website: http://www.fragile-planet.co.uk/ It seems like it's a a good bit cheaper than Thornes for some things. My local Association puts in a bulk order to Thornes, though: members compile there own orders then it's submitted as one order by the Assoc., as Thornes have good discounts for larger orders. Maybe worth asking your local club about this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 ooh, I like the recycled wood for the hives! Am hoping to find out a bit more tonight about where to buy, etc, that's a good point about bulk discounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I have heard reports of the Fragile Planet beesuits having gaps in the seams! - we bought our beesuits through the local Association (Sheriffs suits) I've had a reply from Martin at Beesupplies Yes, I have some frames. I have Some Hofmann brood frames and Manley super frames. I also have a more limited amount of Hofmann super frames. All are £8 per ten and are sent at no extra postage cost with a hive. We have Hoffman brood frames and Manley super frames. Have fun putting frames together Olly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 ooh, thanks for the tip on Fagile Planet, Lesley, I think you've just saved me some cash! My plan re: bee suits was to just get a thick boiler suit from the farm supplies shop, as they are cheap, thick material, and am sure with a couple of eleastic bands I can sort the cuffs out (I take a very serious approach to personal appearnace and glamour!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Well I am going to get my first look at real live bees tomorrow!! We put frames together last night which was fun, but tonight the class tutor rang and said he's going to put a feed on his hives tomorrow, do I want to come and look. Do I ever! Surely the main point of the bee suit is that they can't crawl up inside anywhere, I'd have thought a boiler suit would be ideal. Cycle clips, maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Grey Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hot rumour: a friend of a friend told me that Omlet are planning to market a bee hive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 I did ask James a couple of years ago for an Omlet Hive and I know he was thinking about it - but now I have three wooden ones and don't need more......just yet! AFB and EFB are notifiable diseases - varroa is just an unfortunate given if you keep bees. I did mean to say that AFB and EFB are notifiable and treatable to an extent. You don't always lose all your equipment and bees and the Bee Inspectors will do all they can to help you treat the problem. We've just had the 2008 report from the Western Region Bee Inspector - it was reported, at the end of 2007, that 2007 was the worst year for beekeepers, in recent history. This 2008 report says that they didn't expect 2007 to be followed by an 'equally bad if not worse' year We started with bees in June 2007 - we couldn't have timed it worse if we'd tried We are not defeated though and our bees are flying today and collecting pollen so all looks well. We have had to make sure we fed them well over winter and we didn't take any honey off last summer as we only collected the swarm on June 1st. If anyone would like to see the Inspectors report I'm happy to email it. Just let me have your email address. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I'd be interested, I'll pm you with my email address. Week 3 of the course last night, and it was all about diseases, a bit scary but then the tutor, who is a beekeeper and a biologist, said that she's been keeping bees for 15 years and has never had a serious attack of any disease, although she added that during that time varroa has gone from a rare occurrence to a constant presence. Shekeeps bees in her back garden, which sounds similar in size to mine. The main course tutor has been very negative about the possibility of keeping bees in a garden, however now I come to think of it, he's been quite negative generally, tending to focus on the problems rather than the pleasures of beekeeping! He did, however, let me go and watch him putting a feed on a hive at the weekend, so I got to puff the smoker and see my first real live bees on a frame. I am still dithering - part of me really wants to do this, and part of me is thinking that life is already difficult enough and do I want to add any more responsibilities! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Oh, I'm the same as you olly - half of me really wants to do it, half of me thinks it'll turn into a nightmare and a drudge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 It really doesn't take up much time! honestly! We're really pleased we went for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I'm really interested and I know its a common question but dont you get stung? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I think all beekeepers get stung at times. I haven't been stung yet....but Carl has..... I'm sure most of you heard about Carl's beestings last year? Sorry.....it wasn't funny really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Thanks for the report Lesley, very interesting! It's just that sometimes I think 'wouldn't life be simple if I lived in a flat with no garden and no pets'! I'd hate it, I'm sure - but I work full-time and live alone, and just looking after a house and garden on your own is a lot of work. Still, since I've got to go up the garden to see to the chickens every day, and I'm out in the garden all year round at weekends for the same reason, I guess a few minutes checking on bees won't add too much. My new year's resolution was 'learn to say 'no' more often', but that was to other people, not to myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
