Can you keep bees in Scotland?

Can you keep bees in Scotland?

There are about 2000 beekeepers in Scotland, most of whom are hobby beekeepers with typically one to a dozen hives. There are also about 30 Bee Farmers, i.e. beekeepers operating on a commercial or semi- commercial basis with up to several hundred hives.

How do you clean Polytechnic hives?

Beekeeping tools and equipment (e.g. smokers and hive tools) can be cleaned using a solution of washing soda crystals (Sodium Carbonate). This can be made up using 1 kg of washing soda to 5 litres of warm water with a dash of washing up liquid to help clean off propolis.

Are you allowed to keep bees in a residential area UK?

“Beekeepers have the right to keep bees. Their neighbours have the right to enjoy their property in peace. Badly kept and positioned colonies can be a nuisance”. It is a beekeeper’s responsibility to avoid their bees becoming a nuisance and to take appropriate steps if they so become.

Can beehives be made of plastic?

Plastic beehives are available to beekeepers to house honeybees. These beehives often come molded. Some plastic beehive manufacturers have beehive boxes on offer in place of full beehives.

Are honey bees protected in Scotland?

If a species in the UK is protected then that means that by law this species cannot be harmed. Such species include bats, badgers, otters and wild birds. Honeybees are not a legally protected species in the UK.

How do you sterilize Styrofoam?

The best thing you can do with cleaning the foam is to use dish soap with a weak composition. If you use other chemicals in the styrofoam, it may melt it or disappear on contact. You have to find a lot of water to clean the styrofoam.

How do you sterilize a bee box?

Wood or plastic hives can be sterilised using common chemicals such as bleach, caustic soda or Virkon S. The only thing that chemicals cannot treat is wax and you would need to remove this before doing the sterilisation.

Can I have a bee hive in my garden UK?

You are allowed to have a beehive in your garden as long as you meet the current legal requirements related to the minimum or buffer distance between the hive, neighboring houses, public walkways and public buildings. This is always defined and voted at the local government level, or by the municipality itself.

Can I have a bee hive in my garden?

Only keep bees in your garden if it is suitable – ask advice from experienced beekeepers. Avoid opening hives when neighbours are likely to be using their gardens. Aggressive colonies should be relocated at least 3 miles away to a site away from people. A gift of honey rarely placates an angry neighbour.

What is the best material for a beehive?

Beehives are usually made of wood and contain honeycomb. The best wood for beehives are pine, cedar, or fir. The outside of the beehive can be painted any color the beekeeper wishes, as long as the paint is low VOC.

What type of wood is best for beehives?

The best woods for beehives

• Pine: Hands down, this is the most widely used choice.
• Cypress: The cypress tree produces a sap-type oil that preserves the wood and naturally repels insects and mold.
• Cedar: Cedar is a beautiful wood, and it smells divine.
• Spruce and fir: Pine, spruce, and fir trees are all conifer trees.

Where to place a beehive?

You can keep beehives just about anywhere: in the countryside, in the city, in a corner of the garden, by the back door, in a field, on the terrace, or even on an urban rooftop. You don’t need a great deal of space or flowers on your property; bees happily travel for miles to forage for what they need.

What is bee hives?

Honey bee hives are made of six-sided tubes, which are the shapes for optimal honey production because they require less wax and can hold more honey. Some hives develop broods which become dark in color over time because of cocoon tracks and travel stains. Other honey bee hives remain light in color.

What is a bee hive?

bee•hive (ˈbiˌhaɪv) n. 1. a natural or constructed dwelling place for bees. 2. a crowded, busy place. 3. something resembling the shape of an artificial beehive, as a domelike hairdo for women.