Apiary Safety
"Help I have been stung! Think I am having a reaction.""Where are you? "
"I am at my apiary just outside Casterbridge on the A35. Under the Greenwood tree on the ... "
How to avoid this problem Before you go to the hive.
- On a laminated sheet inside the roof of the hive:
- Your name,
- The full address of the apiary,
- Postcode of the apiary,
- What 3 words address of the apiary,
- OS grid coordinates of the apiary.
- Prepare a suitable first aid kit.
- Ask yourself whether this inspection is necessary.
- The less you interfere with the bees the less chance you will be stung.
- Is the weather suitable?
- Bees get upset in thundery weather.
- On a warm day more bees will be away from the hive foraging.
- Do you have a plan as to what you hope to achieve.
- A plan means you can be into the hives and out again more quickly.
- The less time you are in the hive the less chance of annoying the bees.
- Do you have all the equipment you need.
- Being prepared means you can be into the hives and out again more quickly.
- The less time you are in the hive the less chance of annoying the bees.
- Take of any rings - difficult to remove if you are stung on the hand.
- Do not eat bananas - bees are alarmed by the smell.
- Always let someone know where you are going before you go.
- On a smart phone set up your phone to ring a loved one even of it is locked.
- Put the car keys on the car roof.
- Put your phone on the car roof.
- Put on your suit and boots.
- Put the car keys and phone in your bee suit pocket.
- Now your keys and phone can be quickly reached in an emergency.
- You do not have to undo your suit to get to your phone.
- Make certain your phone is in your bee suit pocket.
- Light the smoker - veils are flammable.
- Put on your bee suit and boots.
- Middle of winter. Bees are quiet - until you go to the hive!
- Always wear your suit.
- Always make certain your suit is tucked into your boots.
- Bees will climb up your clothes.
- If a bee can climb up under your suit it will.
- Once it is there either you or it will panic and you will be stung.
- If you get a bee inside your veil - squash it.
- A puff of smoke at the entrance.
- Move smoothly and quietly.
- My aim is to get in and out before most of the bees realise.
- Try not to pass you hands over the open hive.
- Use light coloured gloves if you are using gloves.
- It is thought bees see this as an airborne threat.
- Bees hate high pitched vibration.
- Do not open a hive if someone is strimming.
- Keep the area tidy - you may have to move fast.
- A super is heavy and a brood box even heavier.
- A super full of honey can weigh 20kg.
- Take someone with you for any heavy lifting.
- Lift with a straight back.
- Learn good lifting techniques.
- If you suspect you may be allergic to bee stings:
- Perhaps you should seriously consider whether you should keep bees.
- Take a "Non-drowsy" anti-histamine before you go to the hives.
- Bee keeping is a very safe hobby.
- It is safe because we are careful.
- Have you read the Apiary Safety page?
- Take precautions and enjoy a fun hobbby.