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Re: New to bees

PostPosted:11 Oct 2019, 10:18
by Patrick
NigelP wrote:
I'm willing to listen to any rational reasons why this myth (IMHO) gets repeated
I am always wary of news items about things I don’t know about as the ones that have concerned things I do are rarely reliable. Second or third party observations are quoted as nearly fact even when they are simply wrong. The more sensationalist the better. Hereafter all collections of any bees numbering more than two shall be referred to as a “swarm” ;)

There was allegedly a story in Horse and Hound of an incident linking bees and horse deaths in 2011 after some hives were “damaged” that is repeated on the BBC news online website. Likewise several stories online linking Africanised bees in the States with horse incidents. Obviously we do not have Africanised bees in the UK.

It is always speculative what bees or horses will or will not do in a given situation. Some horses are quiet and unflappable while others are a bit bonkers. Rather like humans.

Personally, separating any stock from hives by either a hedge or a fenced enclosure would seem a reasonable precaution for the sake and convenience of all concerned.

Re: New to bees

PostPosted:11 Oct 2019, 15:52
by NigelP
Horses and humans and other animals have all been killed by bee stings . Approx 60 people die each year in the US from stings by bees/wasps Hornets and the like.
Perhaps we need to keep humans away from bees to prevent any further deaths :D ? Certainly it makes good sense to not let live stock have access to hives.
The few horse deaths I can find have usually involved horses knocking over hives and being stung by angry bees.
Heres one oif them https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-13942849

Re: New to bees

PostPosted:12 Oct 2019, 12:31
by Caroline
I'v been unfortunate then re the horses. Last winter I had to relocate my bees and agreed with a local farmer a site in one of his yards that has horses stabled, high on a bank, well above any horse rider's head height, with hive entrances facing in opposite direction to where horses would be in yard. I now have to move the hives again because the stable girls are complaining that when they hose down the horses the bees are troubling the horses the horses are nervous when entering the yard.
Maybe it's the humans that are the problem, or maybe Sussex horses aren't as laid back as elsewhere!

Re: New to bees

PostPosted:12 Oct 2019, 22:14
by Patrick
What a royal pain Caroline. Bad luck.

Who is to say what and why is the problem there. Sounds like you did all you reasonably could to avoid an issue.