Honey bees are under threat

[bob10]

Became interested in this subject after joining the Northside Bee keeping association. When I am sufficiently educated, I will take delivery of my first hive. It is a most interesting hobby, when you get into it. An important one, as well. Bob


BBC News - US sets up honey bee loss task force (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27951040)

[disco man]

I saw a doco on land line a while ago that showed how much trouble the Australian honey bee is in,i found it very disturbing because a lot of research done by the CSIRO was not heeded.

What i didn't know either was how many crops we would lose if we lost the Bee's.So good on you Bob for giving the bee keeping a go:)

[Saitch]

I saw a doco on land line a while ago that showed how much trouble the Australian honey bee is in,i found it very disturbing because a lot of research done by the CSIRO was not heeded.

What i didn't know either was how many crops we would lose if we lost the Bee's.So good on you Bob for giving the bee keeping a go:)
Umm, they're not Australian, they're an introduced species that is slowly wiping out the several species of Australian Native Bee, of which we are fortunate to have a couple of natural hives on the property, therefore any Euro honey bee I come across is despatched with quickly, in an humane way. The native bee is as good, if not better, at pollination for our fruit & vegies than the Euro as well.
Steve

[disco man]

Umm, they're not Australian, they're an introduced species that is slowly wiping out the several species of Australian Native Bee, of which we are fortunate to have a couple of natural hives on the property, therefore any Euro honey bee I come across is despatched with quickly, in an humane way. The native bee is as good, if not better, at pollination for our fruit & vegies than the Euro as well.
Steve

It seems i got the species wrong thank you for pointing that out.I wasn't trying to mislead anybody sorry fellas.

[bob10]

Umm, they're not Australian, they're an introduced species that is slowly wiping out the several species of Australian Native Bee, of which we are fortunate to have a couple of natural hives on the property, therefore any Euro honey bee I come across is despatched with quickly, in an humane way. The native bee is as good, if not better, at pollination for our fruit & vegies than the Euro as well.
Steve


I don't know where you get that information from, the honey bee and Aus. native bee survive together with no problem at all. Bob

[Saitch]

I don't know where you get that information from, the honey bee and Aus. native bee survive together with no problem at all. Bob
Yes, on the surface, they appear to Bob but there are secondary concerns.
Steve
Invasive bees in Australia (http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/biodiversity/invasive-species/insects-and-other-invertebrates/invasive-bees)

[jx2mad]

I keep bees, 2 hives to be exact. About 4 years ago I had a massive attack of hive beetle which wiped out all my 4 hives. That year, without bees I had to hand pollinate all my pumpkin patch. Fortunately I was able to get a small hive from a friend half way through Summer so they took over. There used to be wild swarms around here but they seem to have disappeared. Agriculture will be in turmoil if we lose bees. Incidentally I have a lot of native bees here now. Jim

[Toxic_Avenger]

I've always thought it would be an interesting hobby after checking out a mates hive years ago. So much to learn about bees that you would'nt know about unless you ask.
My Issue is I don't have enough land to keep them.

I heard that with the right permits, you can keep bees on traveling stock reserves (TSR's). Plenty of them up my way.

[bob10]

I keep bees, 2 hives to be exact. About 4 years ago I had a massive attack of hive beetle which wiped out all my 4 hives. That year, without bees I had to hand pollinate all my pumpkin patch. Fortunately I was able to get a small hive from a friend half way through Summer so they took over. There used to be wild swarms around here but they seem to have disappeared. Agriculture will be in turmoil if we lose bees. Incidentally I have a lot of native bees here now. Jim


Hive beetle can be controlled. There are new bottom boards that allow the bees to chase the beetle into the bottom of the hive, where they are dispatched by drowning in oil , or chemical means, such as cockroach bait. The bees can not access the bottom area. Bees will chase the beetle, but can not kill it, as the beetle is too small. BTW, scientific tests have determined our native bee honey to have more medicinal properties than NZ manuka honey, Bob

[simonmelb]

I've always thought it would be an interesting hobby after checking out a mates hive years ago.
My Issue is I don't have enough land to keep them.



We kept 2 hives in inner suburban Melb for 3 years in the backyard and will setup again next year. It's amazing how much honey you get from a couple of hives from the neighbourhood trees. There are even hives on rooftops in the Melb CBD.

It's a great hobby!

Cheers
Simon

[Gumnut]

Hi all,

It is a great hobby, but bee very careful..... You start with one, then two then four, and then it can get a bit out of hand.

And sometimes, the numbers can jump in minutes. One memorable afternoon I got eight swarms in two hours!

Almost any back yard or porch could have one hive, and most would cope with 2 - 4. Any more WILL be grief with the family and neighbours come Sep, Oct, Nov and early Dec.

The best way is to kick off with one, and start out with 8 frame full depth boxes and frames. That way when, not if, you expand, the gear is standard.

Other gear you need is a bee suit, gloves, hive tool (Australian type - "j" shape) bee brush and smoker. Other stuff can be hired, borrowed or purchased later as required - buckets, drums, extractors, uncapping planes/knives, strainers, frame grips, etc etc.

And the best fun bit is building all the boxes, bases, frames and lids!!

Gumnut
Keeper of bees

[Greatsouthernland]

Hi all,

It is a great hobby, but bee very careful..... You start with one, then two then four, and then it can get a bit out of hand.

Gumnut
Keeper of bees

:D very true. Dad had bees and did well from them. Brother and I got into it with him as a hobby years ago, just wanted about 10...ended up with 50!

Got out. Now brother is back into it with 200! And has another 200 empty boxes ready to go!

When it was a family hobby 20 years ago, we used to get $1 - $1.30 per kg honey. Now it's around $3.50 - $4. News is it will go a lot higher as bee numbers decline...:(
.

[discovery39]

Became interested in this subject after joining the Northside Bee keeping association. When I am sufficiently educated, I will take delivery of my first hive. It is a most interesting hobby, when you get into it. An important one, as well. Bob


BBC News - US sets up honey bee loss task force (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27951040)


G'day Bob,
How long does your education take? Is there a course or something like that?
Does sound like it should be an Interesting Hobby.
It's all the Buzz...........at the moment. Quite a popular thing to do.

[gossamer]

looks like a bad year for bees
News and Events (http://www.beechworthhoney.com.au/news_and_events.html)

[Saitch]

Hive beetle can be controlled. There are new bottom boards that allow the bees to chase the beetle into the bottom of the hive, where they are dispatched by drowning in oil , or chemical means, such as cockroach bait. The bees can not access the bottom area. Bees will chase the beetle, but can not kill it, as the beetle is too small. BTW, scientific tests have determined our native bee honey to have more medicinal properties than NZ manuka honey, Bob
Bob &/or Others
Do you know if Hive Beetle affect Natives & if so, what should I be looking for? Is it an introduced species?
I have the small, black, stingless Natives.
Cheers
Steve

[Saitch]

Just found this!!
Keeping Out Small Hive Beetles - Aussie Bee Online Article 18 (http://www.aussiebee.com.au/abol-018.html)

[Discomark]

Probably a good idea to produce your own as there has been several news articles recently that a lot of the imported 'Honey' is not even Honey and is derived from corn syrup!
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2014/06/16/10/24/cheap-imported-honey-too-sweet-for-bee-local-keepers

cheap honey products might be corn syrup | Dynamic Business (http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/news/cheap-honey-imitations-might-be-corn-syrup-18062014.html)

[bob10]

Bob &/or Others
Do you know if Hive Beetle affect Natives & if so, what should I be looking for? Is it an introduced species?
I have the small, black, stingless Natives.
Cheers
Steve


I am going to a meeting tomorrow night, our association has a number of native bee owners. I will ask the question, and get back to you. I may even get an e-mail address for you, to talk direct. Bob

[Saitch]

Thanks Bob.
Our bees are in trees so I would like to know if these beetles attack tree hives. One of the trees is dead & becoming a bit of a problem with falling branches, so I may have to remove it in the next year or so.
I will have to look at how to relocate the little fellows properly which will bring the beetles in to play perhaps. We're not in suburbia but do have visits from a small number of Euro bees.
Steve

[Homestar]

I am getting my first hive delivered in spring. Can't wait.:). Great thing is that my mate - who owns plenty of hives, will look after it and teach me all about it as I go. He takes half the honey in exchange.

Win/win. Hopefully I'll learn enough to start building up from there.

[d2dave]

I heard on the wireless the other day that Beechworth Honey were asking supermarkets to remove their jars of bees vomit from the shelves due to a shortage.

Australia gripped by honey shortage - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-16/australia-gripped-by-honey-shortage/5526802)

Interesting thread this has turned into about bee keeping.

[bob10]

I am getting my first hive delivered in spring. Can't wait.:). Great thing is that my mate - who owns plenty of hives, will look after it and teach me all about it as I go. He takes half the honey in exchange.

Win/win. Hopefully I'll learn enough to start building up from there.



There are regulations regarding bee keeping, I strongly suggest you join an association, if only to familiarise yourself with them. In the end, it is your responsibility , and in your best interest . All hives must be registered with the appropriate authority , and any disease or mite infestation reported. Bob

[Homestar]

There are regulations regarding bee keeping, I strongly suggest you join an association, if only to familiarise yourself with them. In the end, it is your responsibility , and in your best interest . All hives must be registered with the appropriate authority , and any disease or mite infestation reported. Bob

Hive is registered and meets all regulations. No Council permits required to eep it on the yard, so all good. I will be going along to some meetings as it seems the biggest meeting of beekeepers around here takes place in the next town - 5 minutes away. I want to learn as much as I can and start to build up my own hives soon. :)

[Greatsouthernland]

I am getting my first hive delivered in spring. Can't wait.:). Great thing is that my mate - who owns plenty of hives, will look after it and teach me all about it as I go. He takes half the honey in exchange.

Win/win. Hopefully I'll learn enough to start building up from there.

This is the best scenario Bacicat - it won't take long :D you will soon have more honey coming in than you can easily get rid of... Good luck, I know you will enjoy it, you may even become obsessed with the 'hobby' :o ... Seen it happen ;)
.

[d2dave]

Hey Gav. Put me down for a jar next time you are up my way.

[bob10]

Hive is registered and meets all regulations. No Council permits required to eep it on the yard, so all good. I will be going along to some meetings as it seems the biggest meeting of beekeepers around here takes place in the next town - 5 minutes away. I want to learn as much as I can and start to build up my own hives soon. :)


You are on the right track by going to an association meeting. There is a lot more to bee keeping than getting a hive & making honey. There are diseases that can decimate your hive if you can't identify them, & if your hive swarms, do you know why, & how to get them back? As a rule of thumb, you do not obtain hives from within 5 kms. of your place, because the chances are good the bees will simply return to where they came from. There is a way to solve this, the association will help you there. Just a few hints Bob [ double check that there are no regulations regarding no. of hives to the size of the allotment. I'm sure it is a national rule]


Under the Apiaries Act 1982, you are required to register as a beekeeper.


Find out how to register.


Hive placement




Face the entrance of the hive so that bees fly across your property. If this cannot readily be done, consider placing barriers. These can be in the form of hedges or shrubs, or instant barriers consisting of shade cloth fixed to a trellis, 2-4 m high. Bees will fly up and over these structures and should not worry neighbours.
Keep hives as far away as possible from roads, footpaths and parks.
Provide water for your bees. Bees prefer a sunny place with capillary moisture, for example, wet sand or gravel, the edge of a concrete pond, or floating waterweeds. If you establish these places, there is much less chance of bees visiting neighbouring swimming pools. Remember that in very hot weather, bees use a large amount of water to maintain temperature and humidity within the hive.



Other precautions




Keep no more than one or two bee colonies on a standard suburban allotment.
Use a quiet strain of bee and re-queen on a regular basis, that is, every one or two years.
Smoke the entrance of hives before mowing or using weedeaters nearby. These machines upset bees, and operators or people passing by may be stung. Wear a hat, veil and long trousers of a light colour.
Place a physical barrier between the hive entrance and neighbours' lights. On warm to hot nights, bees are attracted to house lights, particularly fluorescent ones. If the windows are not screened problems can occur.
Avoid working bees when conditions are poor. If conditions are such that bees start to rob, they become savage and the potential for trouble increases.
Cooperate with your neighbours when working bees, and ensure they are not working or relaxing outdoors at the time. Try to make hive manipulations as quick as possible to disturb the bees as little as possible.
Make sure you regularly supply your neighbours with honey.

Do not keep bees near horses confined to a small yard - sweaty horses and bees do not mix