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Bees!

JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
in Problem solving
These chaps have turned up in my garden today.  They're not a problem (although I could do with giving the hedge its first cut of the year soon) but does anyone know how long they might stay before moving on? 


Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Thanks Pansyface.  If any beekeepers in the Doncaster area are reading in here and want a swarm that's worth a field of hay, get in touch  :).
    I already got a beekeeper's number from the British Bee Keepers Association website so I'll give it a couple of days and see if they move on.  I like bees in the garden and usually have quite a lot (not just honeybees) but I don't want them to set up home in my loft or shed, and we don't have any hollow trees or suchlike that they could move into.


    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    They've gone.  Feeling slightly bereft, daft as it sounds, as well as relieved that no-one got stung (they were right by the gate and were getting agitated every time someone walked past).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Victoria SpongeVictoria Sponge Posts: 3,502
    How exciting, I've never seen a swarm in this country.

    If anyone does ever have honeybees move in, please take much of what you read on the internet (apart from this, which is true) with a pinch of salt. I've had honeybees living in my chimney for several years and I'm always glad to see them emerge again in spring. They haven't demolished my house or attacked anyone and I don't have honey seeping through the walls. I had work done on my roof a couple of summers ago and the builder said they didn't bother him, just went to and from the chimney.

    They are ever-present in the garden, but I do have suitable flowers. They also seem to need a lot of water and are always in the pond shallows and bird bath.

    Wearside, England.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I do feel privileged to have had them visit. I se e plenty on bees in the garden (different kind, not just honeybees), and they're very welcome there, but I wouldn't want them moving into the house because we both react badly to stings.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Digging-itDigging-it Posts: 117
    Hi, I love having the bees in my garden too! I’ve seen 3 swarms travelling cross country already this year, my neighbour thinks there are a lot about this year. This is my first spring/summer after retiring last autumn so maybe I just happen to have more chance to see them this year. 
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