To many beekeepers keeping bees on the allotment may seem like a good idea - but is it?
Advantages of an allotment apiary.
- Somewhere to keep bees.
- Beneficial pollinator for crops
- Increased awareness of beekeeping.
- Could use a corner plot not wanted by others.
- There is a risk to other allotment holders.
- They may be stung
- They may be allergic to bee stings.
- Risk of vanadalism
- Temptation to show bravery by pushing over hives.
- Do not store long handled tools or poles near hives.
- Risk of theft
- A populated hive could be worth several hundred pounds.
There are many factors to consider when placing hives on an allotment.
Many of these factors apply to all apiary sites.
Your local allotment may also require the following:
- Submit a written request to the managers.
- Place a clearly visible notice on the proposed apiary site.
- The notice should clearly indicate your intention to keep bees there.
- The notice must be there for at least 28 days in the growing season.
- The notice must be there for at least 56 days outside the growing season.
- Agreement of the Allotment Manager and/or local council
- Proof that you have kept bees for at least two years
- Proof that you have 3rd party insurance.
- Membership of the BBKA will give insurance cover.
- Proof that you are a member of a local beekeeping organisation.
- Beekeeper to provide a suitable first aid kit.
- Hives must be placed so that the flight path does not:
- go over other allotments,
- go over paths to allotments,
- go over public footpaths
- go over adjacent gardens.
- Hives must be marked to indicate the owner
- Hives must be surrounded by 2 metre high bee proof barrier.
- This is to move the flight path up above head height.
- Hives must only be worked on when there are few other allotment holders present.
- Whenever working on the hive a suitable notice should be displayed.
- This notice must remain in place for 30 minutes after hives all closed.
- Use swarm prevention techniques
- Ensure bees have their own water source.
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- This ensures they do not congregate round communal taps/troughs
- Supply contact details of a competent beekeeper in case you are unavailable.
- Honey must not be sold from the site.
- Notices advertising honey must not be displayed on the site.
- Not more than one permanent hive and one temporary hive per allotment.
- Beekeeping equipment is not to be stored on site.
- At least 75% of the allotment must be cultivated.
- A suitable risk assessment must be carried out and include consideration of:
- effect of the bees swarming,
- effect of a bee sting,
- accidental intrusion by animals,
- accidental intrusion by humans,
- arrangemens if plot holder not available,
- provision and use of protective equipment
- management of smokers including:
- extinguishing the smoker
- disposal of smoker contents.
- disease prevention.
The BBKA offer a pdf leaflet on allotment beekeeping. .