The Chestnut trees are in flower; so in come the bees.
Anyway, Chestnut trees are what we have most of in this area. Their pollination is essential for good crops, and good crops are essential for a healthy economy. The honey is almost a by-product.
My only grouch is that the local bee keepers (knowing that it's stinking hot) don't think to supply their bees with water, so they all make a 'bee line' for the nearest puddle, pool, or pond. This year we've done away with our own small pond (they don't drink swim-pool water), so it's fallen to one of our neighbours to be inundated with swarms of thirsty bees. She isn't happy; especially as she has three small children. And with hundreds of bees now regularly gathering just by the steps of her house, I don't blame her!
p.s. Since I wrote the above, another lot of hives has been brought in, which are sitting about 150 metres from our house. The slightest damp spot left from watering plant-pots now has it accompanying swarm of bees. Frankly, I'm a little pissed-off.
17 comments:
Can't you tell them to buzz off?
I believe that shouting at mice makes them leave wherever they're unwanted. Perhaps you're right!
Hello:
This is a problem.
Another one is we are unable to see anyone's Followers, including yours and our own. Are they visible to you? Or is this another Blogger problem?
H. I have been advising people to change their browser. If you are using Internet Explorer, it might be an idea to change to Google Chrome (or something similar). It's very easy to download, and will solve your problems (it did mine).
Dammit. Just noticed that my followers have disappeared too.....
A friend kept bees on our previous property and we always kept water near the hive for them. Amazing how much they get through.
Wow, commenting is certainly a lot faster with Google Chrome
On the subject of mouse-shouting, I had a garden kitchen infested with them once, and got fed up with the bread being eaten etc. I followed some advice of a friend, and said in a loud voice one night, "If you lot don't stop raiding my cupboard, I'm going to have to get rid of you!"
I was never troubled again.
Quad est demonstrandum!
Could you have a chat with the bee keeper? How can someone keep living things and not provide water? Idiot!! (him, not you) If he won't see reason maybe you could just put a pan of water near his fence.
My followers have disappeared too. I took your advice Cro...still missing!
I'm with MBJ...I'd just put a bucket of water by his fence...sometimes just remedying the situation yourself is easier than nagging others.
We are taking steps!!
I guess we won't all be hanging around your pool then . . .
Those bee keepers should bee more responsible.
My mother had a rat in her house once. She and V. chased the thing around with a broom and bucket for a while and then V. yelled at it to get in the bucket or it was going to die. The rat obeyed...go figure?
I never thought of bees being thirsty, Cro! But yes of course they must need to drink, I had a bumble bee in the kitchen window today and had to transport him outside via a flour sieve and a magazine. Perhaps he was just after a drink?
Alas, most of the Chestnut trees were wiped out in the USA in the last century through an Asian blight. However, we still have bees. Good thing, bad thing. Need bees, don't want them around us. They should stay in our neighbor's yard.
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