Bees and Ponds. Seek Help from a Bee-Keeper and Remove any Trace of Hive
Anthony, I so much look forward to your articles. I am hoping you might have a answer for a small/large bee problem I am having.
I have a 10x16 pond. It was full of parrot feather, and some other floating plants. I have had to pull them all out as it seems we have become the watering hole for honey bees. I am allergic to their sting for one and that scares me. Also they don't like it much when you are out at the pond. I have pulled all the plants out except one and yes, that the one they are in now. A Mini rush so they land on the stalk and slide down to the water.
We have a pool and never have they bothered us, and last year no bees.
I have called the agriculture dept and they say the bees have included me in their flight path and there is nothing you can do about it and that may be true.. But it will prevent me from enjoying my pond this summer. I spend everyday out there with my fish and plants and it is making me so sad. I am so terrified of bees.
Is there anything you can think of that might make them go somewhere else for a drink instead of my place.
Thanks so much in advance for any ideas and just hearing me out..
Susan Lewis
Susan
Thanks for the email.
Occassionally in our garden we also get bee infestations and we have no option but to call in a Bee Keeper who literally collects them and takes them away. He uses a smoker device to calm them down first.
Once he has collected all the bees be then makes sure that any remnants of the hive or honey combs are removed. If not then new bees will be attracted to the spot and the process starts again. This is possibly what's happening in your situation or you have a hide somewhere else in the garden which you've not found.
Are you sure you don't have a hive or nest somewhere close to the pond?
Late afternoon and towards the evening is when bees return to their hive. See if you can find a congregation of bees in a spot. Bees like to build hives close to wooden structures (eg pond bridge) and out of site preferably.
I would suggest you get hold of a bee keeper in your area and talk to the person. Get their advice.
Maybe you have plants in your garden that are especially attractive to bees. Do they like any particular spots other than around the pond. Perhaps remove those.
And make sure as I'm certain you have done already that you have a cortisone anti-bee treatment available close by.
In general leave the bees alone and they will leave you alone. But yes I understand your concern.
Good luck.
Tony Roocroft
Another way to enjoy the Kruger.
AND see South Africa VERY differently
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