THERE is a buzz going around Stone and it is something every adult and child can spot.
The South Gloucestershire Bee Keepers Association has moved its two training hives to Westend House in Stone so residents can expect an influx of these little creatures.
But never fear – honey bees won’t sting unless they are severely provoked or when they are defending their hive explained Richard Dalrymple-Smith, of the association. Once a honey bee uses its sting it dies.
The apiary, a name used to describe more than one hive, will be used to train members of the association who are either new to bee keeping or want to learn more advanced bee keeping procedures.
There are currently 16 colonies – about 640,000 individual bees – that will be foraging in and around Stone. Bees will collect nectar and pollen from the nearest plants available but will fly up to three miles if local supplies are not accessible.
Richard recommends planting bee friendly shrubs and flowers if you are intending to do some gardening. Bees can identify white, blue and lilac flowers much easier than other colours and love crab apple blossom, hawthorn, fennel, cow parsley and sedums.
Richard said that one thing people may come across from now until July is a swarm, but people should not be worried.
"From time to time bees in a colony decide its time to up sticks and find a new home," he said.
As many as 20,000 bees will move off to find a new place to live in places such as a hollow tree or dark enclosed place above the ground.
A swarm will look like a small dark, low cloud travelling at about five miles per hour.
Richard said the bees are unlikely to be aggressive, but that it is best not to disturb them.
He added: "A swarm is a valuable thing to a bee keeper so if you see one please let me know."
You can contact Richard on 01454 260278.
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