The Beekeepers Club Inc.

Questions & Answers - of common interest

Questions from the public regarding bees and beekeeping - answered by beekeepers.
You can post a question by filling in the email form at the bottom of this page

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How to stop bees invading my nest boxes?

This year 8 of my native marsupial nest boxes were invaded by swarming bees. It has cost a lot to have them removed by a pest controller. Is there anything I can do to stop them invading my nest boxes every year? Thanks
(19-May-2011 - Vanessa Richardson; Eaglehawk 3556; vanessarichardson@activ8.net.au)

I wish there was a simple answer to your question. Please give this a thought: Both, possums and bees are territorial animals, requiring an area for themselves. Possums would not be nesting close together, neither would bees - provided there were enough choices for them. Animals in the wild are competing for suitable accommodation, which is becoming more and more rare. Maybe when there were more nest boxes, both possums and bees would find what they need in their territory.
How do we overcome our preference for certain animals? Nature was designed with variety and versatility in mind - how poor would nature be if only remained what we humans like or give preference? (Dietmar Klimkeit, webmaster)

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How to start beekeeping?

I would like to start my own beehive in my backyard. How do I start? Is it generally allowed to do this in a Melbourne suburb? Also, can you call someone in spring to inspect your beehive and assist with the prevention of swarming? Thanks.
(11-May-2011 - Daniela Spalding; Bentleigh 3204; panddspalding@iprimus.com.au)

To start beekeeping is like anything else you want to start new - you gather information first, read books, browse the internet, and join an interest group, e.g. a beekeeper club. Everyone in Victoria can keep bees, unless overruled by by-laws applied by your council, very uncommon. There are rules and regulations to follow though - you find information on this on our web page under [Beekeeping] [Becoming a beekeeper].
It would be wise to learn the basics of beekeeping before obtaining the first hive - you don't need to call someone in spring to inspect your beehive and assist with the prevention of swarming - it is fairly easy. Should you still need assistance, you might find a beekeeper club member in your area to give you a hand. You wouldn't go out to buy a car and then ask someone else to drive it for you, wouldn't you?
(Dietmar Klimkeit, webmaster)

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Would bees be a problem with the kids?

We are interested in getting a back yard hive, we have 3 kids who are always kicking balls, jumping on a trampoline etc. We have chooks, fruit trees and vegi gardens. The hive would be behind a fence as we back onto a reserve. If we have a hive would the bees be a problem with the kids? Will they bees be a problem in the yard?
(9-May-2011 - Mark Beatson; Davistown 2251; gosfordcityplumbing@bigpond.com)

There is not a simple answer to your question. It is certain though, that as long as bees don't feel under attack they won't bother anybody. Unlike wasps, bees are not interested in our food or drinks, so having a BBQ is not a problem. Your kids don't have to fear the bees as long as they are not interfering with the bees, like poking a stick into the hive entrance or throwing stones at the hive. However, accidents can happen - a person might run or jump into a bee's flight path, the bee gets tangled in the hair of that person and tries to sting in defence. This however can happen anywhere, whether you have a beehive in your backyard or not.
(Dietmar Klimkeit, webmaster)

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How to ward off bees?

I have flowering shrubs along the entire length of my driveway. Over a month ago, they bloomed and everyday since there are hundreds of bees attracted to it. i normally wouldnt mind the bees if it was out of harms way, but it is a high traffic area and my little nephew often visits and plays in the driveway. i dont want to harm the bees, i just want to ward them off from these plants. is there a bee repellent that i can spray on the shrubs that keeps the bees away but is safe to use on plants and is harmless to humans? ideally a readily available off-the-shelf product.
(23-Feb-2011 - Ben Brown; Melbourne 3175; orty1982@hotmail.com)

There are repellant sprays available in Europe, as a substitute for smoke used by beekeepers - but that will be an expensive undertaking as they only work as long as you spray, they don't adhere to plants or surfaces. What drives bees away is the smell of petrol, kerosene, terpentine or other products of that nature. Another option: remove all plants along the driveway that attract bees - if you want to have plants at all replace them with non-flowering plants. That's all what comes to mind - after all as beekeeper you want to attract bees, not drive them away.
(Dietmar Klimkeit, webmaster)

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When should you put a super box on your hive?

(11-Feb-2011 - Siegy; Atherton 4883; siegys@hotmail.com)

When the broodbox is more than full with bees and bees are starting to build comb under the lid - and when there is a good flow of nectar and pollen coming in. (Dietmar Klimkeit, webmaster)

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What is the importance of having the bee hive elevated from the ground?

I noticed recently that the legs on my boxes had sunk into the ground a little. my plan is to put bricks underneath them to get them up off the ground a little. is this advisable?? also, my hives are not at my place of residence, so i have noticed that there are some overgrown weeds around the boxes. im thinking that this may make the hive a bit damp and cold. is there a specific type of environment they should be in. im in southern victoria, so im thinking due to the summer or non summer we have had, that it may effect the health of the bees. any extra info would be appreciated.
(4-Feb-2011 - Matt; Warrnambool 3280; keeganm@swtafe.vic.edu.au)

It is highly recommended to elevate beehives from the ground. A dry and warm location with good airflow is essential for healthy colonies. Bee colonies are more prone to diseases in wet, cold and damp conditions. (Dietmar Klimkeit, webmaster)

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Bees swarming or nesting?

For a couple of weeks now i have noticed many bees swarming in a cluster of rose bushes and other debris inc compost bin behind it all in the corner of they rear garden. numbers sighted i'd say hundreds but not thick on the ground. i am unable/reluctant to check the compost bin by flipping the lid so dont know if they are forming a nest or just swarming. to remove them what should i do?
(4-Feb-2011 - Mark Ada; Hobart 7000; m.adaszynski@hotmail.com)

When the bees have been there for a couple of weeks they most likely have already started to build a nest. Compost bins are very popular for bees to take residence. To have them removed alive, find a local beekeeper. To have them exterminated use the services of pest control. (Dietmar Klimkeit, webmaster)

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How often do you need to attend a beehive?

We have a weekend property at Yarck, near Yea. We are interested in beekeeping but as we only visit the property every few weeks wonder if we would be able to care for and maintain the hive??
(3-Feb-2011 - Lara Hocking; Mooroolbark 3138; rosemnt4@bigpond.net.au)

The attendance intervals depend mainly on the season. In spring and early summer beehives need to be checked in 7-14 day intervals, to prevent swarming, during the rest of summer probably 3-week intervals are sufficient, during winter they virtually don't need any attention, other than making sure that the hive has not been damaged or weeds and grass are blocking the entrance. (Dietmar Klimkeit, webmaster)

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How far do bees travel from their hive/nest?

After bushfires we now have lovely bees visiting again. We used to have a hive in a dead tree down the back of our property. It was sadly burnt to the ground. Just wondering how if it's possible does one find where bees have taken up residence, just we're curious to see if they are infact on our property again. Also, how far do bees travel from their hive?
(Deb Dobson; Boolarra 3870; deb@aspiregarages.com.au)

The normal radius from the bees hive or nest is about 3km. To find them? Search on warm and sunny days for bees flying in and out a tree hollow - or any other place with a cavity behind it. (Dietmar Klimkeit, webmaster)

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Swarm of bees has arrived - Will they move on?

Bee's have settled on my elderly neighbour's rain gauge, on her fence, a beautiful act of nature. Will they eventually move on ?
(Sharon Grumont, Ballan 3342, sharongrumont@hotmail.com)

The gathering of a swarm of European honeybees in a cluster can last from as little as 20 minutes to 5 days. During this time scout bees are searching for a home; they prefer to nest in enclosures, protected from the elements. When a suitable new home is found, a letterbox, compost bin, meter box, possum box, inside the house wall cavity, a chimney or a tree hollow, then the cluster of bees disappears within 2-3 minutes taking residence in their new home. However, probably due to the mild climate in Australia, some swarms just start building their nest where they clustered, the likelihood of this is less than 1% though (see photo).
(Dietmar Klimkeit, webmaster)

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Feral bee colony in backyard
We have a nest of bees that have taken up residence in a piece of garden art in our garden. We have a young child - is it safe to just leave them there? If we decide to leave them (we are happy to encourage bees in the garden usually), are we then considered 'bee-keepers', and have to register them and move them to a hive? (Emma Buzza, Bacchus Marsh 3340, adambuzza@fastmail.fm)

In general, bees are very gentle creatures and have no desire to attack people. However, a child might want to investigate their nest and bees would defend such interference. Accidental collision between a human and a bee could also occur and the bee could sting in self-defence while trying to untangle from your hair. If you are not allergic this is not a big deal.
Keeping bees in your backyard is only permitted when they are kept in proper beehives with removable frames of comb. This is to ensure that the comb can be inspected for diseases by an apiary inspector. It is not the hive that needs to be registered - the beekeeper is required to register with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). So, if you want to keep the bees in your backyard you need to register as a beekeeper and transfer those bees into proper beehives. (Dietmar Klimkeit, webmaster)

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