Mowing around the hives

3211 Views 19 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Bob J, Jul 25, 2014

Bob J

Discussion Starter · Jul 24, 2014

What a difference a couple of weeks make..... Was mowing the grass yesterday afternoon within about 10 feet in front of my hives and ended up with two stings.... Was amazed to see a couple of the girls actually trying to sting the cowling of the mower.... Have mowed many times in the past without any issue but I guess this time of the year they must be getting a little irritable....

My hives are on the side of my front lawn and I'd like to keep my grass fairly neat.... Any thoughts on when best to mow to avoid having them come after me again?

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

lazy shooter

· #2 · Jul 24, 2014

The best time to mow would be when you had on your bee suit.

I don't have informative information. They do get a bit more defensive as the hot summer days and the accompanying dearth come upon us.

Bob J

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 24, 2014

lazy shooter said:
The best time to mow would be when you had on your bee suit. I don't have informative information. They do get a bit more defensive as the hot summer days and the accompanying dearth come upon us.

LOL! That would certainly catch my neighbors interest.....

Houstonbees

· #4 · Jul 24, 2014

I've had the same happen here in Houston with my Warre hives in the past few weeks. Eventhough the hives are in the far corner of the backyard, passing by with the lawnmower gets me an immediate attack. I now have to mow the lawn wearing the bee suit. Just a difference of a few weeks. Kind of freaked me out the first year I had the hive but now I better understand the defensiveness with the coming dearth and the heat of summer.

Hops Brewster

· #5 · Jul 24, 2014

Early in the morning, before they get so hot and cranky?

Ross

· #6 · Jul 24, 2014

Two things, hives are bigger and stronger and have more attitude later in the year, and the flows have stopped so they are all home and cranky. My first year I brush hogged by the hives like I had all year. The second pass about 40-50 hit me in the head and shoulders on a moving tractor. It was exciting to say the least.

Bob J

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 24, 2014

Hops Brewster said:
Early in the morning, before they get so hot and cranky?

That makes sense.... Before they have a chance to really wake up and get rolling....;- )

Bob J

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 24, 2014

Ross said:
Two things, hives are bigger and stronger and have more attitude later in the year, and the flows have stopped so they are all home and cranky. My first year I brush hogged by the hives like I had all year. The second pass about 40-50 hit me in the head and shoulders on a moving tractor. It was exciting to say the least.

Know what you mean.... Normally I'm pretty calm with my bees but this completely caught me by surprise.... My wife was coming back from shopping about the time they hit me and laughed as I dropped everything and ran....;- )

hilreal

· #9 · Jul 24, 2014

At least wear a veil! They make a light one that you can slip over a ball cap. I accidently ran into one while mowing and got me right next to my eye. Pretty ugly for a couple of days.

Bob J

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 24, 2014

hilreal said:
At least wear a veil! They make a light one that you can slip over a ball cap. I accidently ran into one while mowing and got me right next to my eye. Pretty ugly for a couple of days.

Thanks! Was my fear as well..... Had one land on my eyebrow but brushed her off before she could hit me.... Couple were in my hair as well..... Luckily the only hits I got were on my arms....... They chased me across the yard but stopped when I got 50 feet or so away from the hive.... Took time and relaxed a bit to let them calm down before I went back to recover the mower....;- )

Santa Caras

· #11 · Jul 24, 2014

nighttime maybe? With mine i take a pass (dont throw grass in the hive direction) swing up to the front and do a little...then come back and make a 2nd pass by the hives and keep truckin away again. I dont stay in the area and its every few minutes I'm by the hive. This gives em some time in between to settle before you go back.

AstroBee

· #12 · Jul 24, 2014

With my new mower, I can cut grass at over 10 mph. This helps not only in the obvious way of out running them, but also there's less time the disturbance is near them and they get less excited. On my old craftsman tractor, I was a slow moving target.

Bees In Miami

· #13 · Jul 24, 2014

They may or may not come after you again... So many factors to consider... A front coming through, storms approaching, no forage, PMS...etc...etc... (I am a female, so I can make the PMS comment...easy guys... :lookout: ) My husband has adopted the practice of suiting up when mowing closest to my hives first. If they get pissy, he's protected, and finishes mowing suited up. If they don't care that day, he finishes mowing unprotected. Cheap insurance IMO.

agastache

· #14 · Jul 24, 2014

My bees like to attack the mower. I put on my bee suite to mow in front of them. Yep, the neighbors and passers-by are amused. I always mow there LAST, so I can go inside while they're calming down, instead of having them chase me around the yard. Later evening when the sun is down but its not dark seems to be the time when they mind it least, in my experience.

Mr.Beeman

· #15 · Jul 24, 2014

Astrobee,
Honeybees can fly up to 15mph..... better get a faster mower! lol

Late in the evening is a good time as the bees are getting tired and are less likely to attack. I tried mowing at mid afternoon once. In short order, I was reminded that I am no longer king of my yard but more of a guest in their vicinity.

AstroBee

· #16 · Jul 24, 2014

Mr.Beeman said:
Honeybees can fly up to 15mph..... better get a faster mower! lol

Yeah, but they generally won't chase you at that speed. Still get the rouge bee...perhaps I need a nitrous kit??

tsmullins

· #17 · Jul 24, 2014

Hops Brewster said:
Early in the morning, before they get so hot and cranky?

+1 on this

paintingpreacher

· #18 · Jul 25, 2014

My bees are not in a good mood these days either, not much to keep them busy. Mowed around them today with suit and veil. Had to put my hands in my pockets at one point. Only took one sting on the back of my hand.

Mr.Beeman

· #19 · Jul 25, 2014

Nitrous AND wheelie bars. lol

Bob J

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 25, 2014

LOL! You guys are great..... Much appreciate the help! :applause:

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