Bee colony in the garden


Bees (Apiformes) belong to the insect family of Hymenoptera and receive special attention due to their honey production and alleged defensiveness. But bees are peaceful flying insects who only stumble when their life or that of their queen is threatened. After a bite, the barbs of the barb stick in the skin and the bee dies, unlike the wasp. In addition, bees are pure herbivores, so they are not attracted to the grilled steak. In contrast to the honeybee, which lives in a large state with queen, wild bees lead a solitary life. Many bee species, however, are threatened by the widespread use of toxic pesticides, so that the urban beekeeping in the garden should contribute to species conservation. Here's how you can optimally support a bee colony in the garden.

bee

Contents: Bee colony in the garden

  • Biodiversity and ecological importance of bees
  • Proper handling of bees in the garden
  • Video: Bees - a people and its queen
  • Shaping the garden optimally for bees
  • Bee boxes for beekeeping

Biodiversity and ecological importance of bees

Bees are among the most important plant pollinators in the world as they transport pollen from plant to plant on their extensive flight paths, thereby helping to preserve wild and cultivated plants. Of the approximately 20,000 bee species worldwide, only around 500 are native to Germany, with the majority of bees living solitary. The number of state-forming communities, such as the honey bee, is only about 510 species worldwide.

Unlike the honey bee operate solitary bees the brood care only for the own offspring. Another bee species are so-called cuckoo bees, who do not build their own nests as brood parasitic but lay their eggs in the brood cells of other bee species. Here they kill the foreign larvae and feed on the accumulated food supply.

Incidentally, the pollen serve bees as a source of protein rich in protein. From the pollen feed stocks are created in the construction, which guarantee the survival of the individual animals or the entire colony in case of food shortages, such as during prolonged storms or in winter. But also the offspring is fed and raised with pollen.

The trouser bee is a wild bee species.

Wild bee

The honeybee lives in the insect state.

honeybee

Proper handling of bees in the garden

Even though bees are not dangerous animals, they can sting in emergency situations and inject poison, which can cause pain or even an allergic shock in humans. Since the peaceful vegetarians are not interested in salty meat dishes or the salad buffet of the garden party, there is rarely a direct contact between the insect and the human being.

A flat beehive with sugar water and blossom aroma provides for a summery refreshment.

bees potions

If a bee wanders into the living area or onto the patio, avoid swift, wagging hand movements and gently guide the bee out with a napkin and glass. A killing of the animal should be avoided, as the bees are important beneficial agents and contribute to the preservation of plant populations. Furthermore, fly screens are to be understood as a preventive measure. They also keep harmful or unwanted insects away.

If you are interested in the attitude of a bee colony in the garden, you need enough space, because during the swarming period, there is a state of up to 60,000 animals that are looking for pollen in the garden and the surrounding area. Experts speak of a plot area of ​​at least 100 m² per bee colony. If there are often playing children or pets in the garden, a prey, as experts call the hive, is not advisable: Bees feel themselves and their sticks then threatened quickly and stinging collectively.

Danger: Bees can be domesticated but not tamed. Therefore, always be aware of the responsibility that you take when you keep the insects in the garden. Neighbors should also be contacted in advance and asked for their consent.

Video: Bees - a people and its queen

Shaping the garden optimally for bees

Put on natural garden area with a variety of wildflowers.

wildflowers

Bees feed themselves and their offspring on protein-rich pollen, which they find in the flowers of various ornamentals and useful plants. Therefore, bees feel particularly comfortable in a natural garden: Here you will find a variety of wildflowers and crops that contain the appropriate nectar. Nevertheless, it should be kept in mind that special new breeds are often genetically modified, which may also influence pollen production. Therefore, preferably take the wild type.

Another problem is the subsidized monoculture in agriculture and the use of chemical pesticides that harm the animals in contact. If the use of pesticides can not be avoided, products with the suffix "bee-friendly" are recommended.

Bees are especially fond of flying cowslips, berry bushes, crocuses and daisies. But willowherb, lupins, asters, limes and clover are also well received. It is therefore also advantageous if you do not mow the lawn too often. In this way, numerous goose flowers and clover blossoms, which serve as a source of nutrition for many beneficial organisms. However, if you walk barefoot through the garden in the summer, you need to keep your eyes very open to avoid accidentally entering a bee.

Danger: Who wants to keep bees specifically in the garden, must obtain the consent of the landlord and neighbor. In addition, building permits for a hive are often required in general residential areas - so check with the relevant office beforehand.

Bee boxes for beekeeping

Honeybees live in artificial prey and produce here the sweet honey.

prey

The natural beehive is used by the hard-working animals as habitation: here the workers put honeycomb made of beeswax, which serves as food for the offspring as well as for the bees. The technical term for an artificial hive is prey, In earlier times, beekeepers relied on plaited beehives, but so-called magazine hives have established themselves as a more practical alternative in honey production. A magazine is the wooden frame filled with wax, which is hung in the wooden box for honeycomb production.

The bees box should not be too big, but not too small, so that the honey room can be separated from the elevator room. The lid can be opened. So the individual magazines can be easily hung and removed again. At the lower end of the front there is the small influent hole, which protects the building sufficiently from the weather and pests.

Tip: Anyone who wants to install a Plexiglas disk in the lid to gain interesting insights into the bee life in the state.

Also the right one Location plays a decisive role: The prey should be protected from the wind, but not too shady, because bees love heat. Nevertheless, a sufficient distance to the neighboring garden as well as to the street and private terrace should be kept in order to protect pedestrians and themselves adequately.

The small inlet makes it difficult for pests to penetrate.

Hive entrance

In the special magazines the honey bees form the individual honeycombs.

magazine

Bee colony in the garden

FAQ - 💬

❓ Is bee good for your garden?

👉 Bees are therefore beneficial to the environment as a whole. They pollinate wild flowers, thus enhancing biodiversity and beauty in landscapes and gardens. It is not only flowers and food crops that are pollinated by bees, but many trees are pollinated by bees (and other insects).

❓ How do you get rid of a colony of bees?

👉 Vinegar Spray Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray it over the hive, keeping track of the time. If you have any flowers on your porch or windowsill, make sure to spray them too. Plus, spray in the general vicinity where the bees usually swarm.

❓ Where should I put my beehive in my garden?

👉 In Conclusion

  • Give Your Honey Bees Lots of Sunlight.
  • Angle Your Beehive to the Southeast.
  • Create a Wind Barrier to Shield Your Honey Bees.
  • Place Your Beehive Near a Food Source.
  • Place A Water Source Near Your Beehive.
  • Aim for Dry Ground.
  • Avoid Hills and Valleys.
  • Use a Hive Stand.

❓ Can I keep a beehive in my garden UK?

👉 Space. Bees can be kept anywhere from country orchards to urban gardens to small city balconies. It is a common misconception that you need a large garden or countryside nearby. Although this can make siting your bees easier, urban gardens are arguably better.

❓ What do you do with a beehive in your garden?

👉 Use a pump sprayer and soak the outside of the swarm. The bees will gradually fall off, so you can wet the next layer of bees. Put a tarp or garbage can under the swarm to catch the bees. However, the easiest way of dealing with a honeybee swarm is to simply leave the insects alone.

❓ Why you want bees in your garden?

👉 By moving from flower to flower, they are vital pollinators of many garden and wild flowers. Insect pollination which can be carried out by any insect that visits flowers including many flies, social and solitary wasps, beetles, butterflies and moths, is essential for the cropping of most fruits and some vegetables.

❓ How long do bees stay in a hive?

👉 The life span of worker honey bees ranges from five to seven weeks. The first few weeks of a worker's life are spent working within the hive, while the last weeks are spent foraging for food and gathering pollen or nectar.

❓ How do I get rid of a bee hive for free?

👉 You should open google, and search for bee keepers association and your county and state. There you'll find bee keepers near you directly. Some bee keepers will go out and get the bees and re-queen them for you.

❓ How far away from your house should a beehive be?

👉 But just how close to your house can you put your hive? The general rule is there should be a minimum of 4-feet behind and on either side of the hive, with a minimum of 25-feet of clearance at the entrance – but there's really no cut-and-dry answer for this.

❓ Is it safe to have a beehive in my garden?

👉 In certain circumstances, a backyard beehive poses a danger to humans and pets. An aggressive bee that feels threatened may sting, which can cause a painful bite, as well as an anaphylactic reaction in those who are allergic to bees.

❓ Will bees sting you if you have the queen?

👉 A worker bee will only sting you if you have hurt it, or if you are threatening the hive. A queen bee does not have any of these defense mechanisms as she is not concerned with the defense of the hive. This means that it is very rare for a queen bee to sting people and other mammals.


Video Board: Beekeeping In A Small Area