Bees

[Lewis McColl]

On my house in one of the chimney uptakes we have a bee hive/nest. I have ignored it now for nearly 2 years now( they go dormant in the winter so I always forget to get on the roof and sort them out), but today when out in the garden I could hear this increasing buzzing sound. There was an obvious increase in the activity around the chimney top. Next thing is they started to swarm so thought best move in doors for a bit. Anyway they soon buggered off in a swarm. My understanding is this could be one of two things either the Queen Bee is moving house, or there is another Queen bee in the hive, so a bit like two women in the kitchen.
Usually when the queen bee leaves or is evicted from the hive 1/2 the worker/drone bees go with her hence the swarm.

[Doc Vernon]

We used to have many Beehives when I was a young un Lew and as to my small knowledge of those lovely critters,if there are Two Queens usually (and not always) the bees sort this out and normally get rid of the one Queen,killing her and then appointing the one left as their Queen,this I think happens with one old and one young Queen??

We also had Bees when in Penrith outside and they formed a Nest in a Tree ,the same thing happened with them Swarming and we had to stay indoors for a while,then they settled again in the tree.
I then called out a Guy to come and get them. Like my old Dad this Guy was quick and good smoking them first so that their heads turn inwards,the collecting the Queen and putting her in a specail box,next thing when the smoke subsided all the bees followed into the new Box! Job Done!
Cheers

[Lewis McColl]

They are an amazing creature, we have beehives all around us here and buy the local honey. There is one guy who plants his fields with lavender, oh boy the honey is amazing. Big problems though are pesticides and the honey bee population is sadly on the decline. People need to wake up and realise no bees , no fruit as there will be no cross Pollination, so no Bees no food no planet. It is like the plastics pollution in the Oceans, plastics getting into the food chain. You have to wonder at times the stupidity of mankind are we hell bent on destroying the planet???

[Doc Vernon]

Yes indeed Lewis
Bees are one of the best little critters I know of,and they work hard ,its all Buzz all day long,and their fruits as we say are a real fix fi\or many ailments as well as just a lovely Spread on Breads ,Toast and many other ways .
I love a Spoon of good Honey on my Porridge when I have it in the Winter Months ,actually started about a Week ago.
We do get some really great Honey here in Aussie,many different sorts and flavours,i love it!
Yes as said Lew we need to realise just how important these small but wonderful critter are.
But they are very hardy so I feel that it will take a lot to extinguise them thank the Lord!
Have you (I suppose you have) taken time to really study them in detail,you should if you have not,they are one of the Earths most interesting !
Cheers

[happy daze john in oz]

Yes Lewis you are correct, no Bees no food!!

But along with the normal Bee there are a number of others often local just to that country.
We have a native bee here in Oz, no honey but it does cross pollinate.

The we have the Wasps, local ones are no worries, but the bloody European one, brought here many years ago area real problem.

Had a bite from one the other week, not very pleasant at all.

[John Arton]

In the U.K. if you discover a wasps nest on your property you are allowed to destroy it yourself. If possible, douse it in paraffin, knock it to the ground and set fire to it and run like hell to safety. Bees on the other hand are a protected species and you have to contact your local council to remove them. They Will only do so in winter when the bees go into hibernation.
Rgds
J.A.

[robpage]

We had a swarm of bees about 20 years ago hanging on the gate I took advice rang up one of the local beekeepers who was only too delighted to come and collect a new colony it came in the early part of the evening smoke them into a box and never even had loves someone he was handling them he was saying I believe that when a colony gets large they will bring another Queen that will swarm off with a part of the Colony

[Captain Kong]

I have a jar of Honey from Pitcairns Island.it is the purist honey in the world. I bought it there two years ago.
There is no polution on Pitcairns, no vehicles so no fumes, No pesticides, no poisons of any kind, just pure natural fresh air.
I am going back to Pitcairns Island next February so will get some more then I can open this one.

[happy daze john in oz]

Some years ago we had a swarm of Wasps on a tree on the nature strip.
Easy to get rid of, put a black plastic bag over them and take them to some other part of the area.
Got the bludgers in the bag, well all but three.
Those three stung me like there was no tomorrow, face like I had gone ten rounds with our 'enery.

But got rid of them OK.

[Doc Vernon]

A brave or silly Man would do that John!
Better you than me mate! LOL

No way that I would try and Bag that lot!
Cheers