Sunday 10 July 2016

Lambs, Lavender and Robber Bees



The new lawnmowers have arrived! I haven't named them yet, so they're still known as 'the lambs'. They settled into the flock at once and have already guessed that I mean food (they've been getting treats). They're always getting separated and will call for ages across the field, until they work out how to reach each other again.


We have a mix of ages now in the flock, from our ancient sheep (a stiff and ambling fourteen years) to these new lambs (just over four months). But it's not the sheep but the bees that are preoccupying me at the moment, because I suspect that one colony is robbing the other. Why do I think this? Because I've been watching my two hives closely and observed a few key signs. Firstly, that one hive doesn't have much food - even though there is a healthy, foraging colony in there - while the colony next to it is doing very well. This colony has always been strong and brought in plenty of food, but I believe they've been topping up their stores with stolen honey from raids next door.


The main clue that robbing is going on is from my observations of the 'robbed' colony. The 'home' bees are flying directly in to the entrance unchallenged, but there are also bees that are flying in a sort of zigzag motion before the hive. These are the robbers looking for an opportunity to get by the guard bees at the entrance. Sometimes they'll get caught and a fight will follow, but often they're getting through the defences and into the hive.


So what can I do? It's very difficult to stop robbing once a colony gets the habit and I wonder whether this began when the 'robbed' hive was knocked over in the spring and their stores were exposed. I have to do something, anyway, otherwise the 'robbed' colony could eventually lose heart, give up and decline. So I'm going to begin by reducing the entrance of the 'robbed' hive to one bee space, which means it'll be more easy to defend. I'm also going to try something I've only just read about, which is to cover the hive with a wet sheet. Apparently, the 'home' bees will find a way in under the sheet, but the robber bees are put off by it.  I hope it works, because not only are these poor bees facing robber bees, but before the month is out, they'll have to contend with aggressive wasps, too.


When all my bees are foraging beyond the apiary, they're finding the lavender we have in the garden. Last year we planted lots of both butterfly and English lavender before the house so that the bees can forage on the butterfly lavender in May and June - and then they can move onto the English lavender in July and August. Lavender is one of the best bee plants - it's great for honey bees, bumblebees and solitary bees.

Other insects love lavender too, such as this painted lady butterfly


Some of the birds are also interested in it. They're welcome there - as long as they don't destroy the plants!


I also spotted these new visitors by the lavender bushes last week. I don't know where they've come from but it can't have been far because the ducklings are so small.


They were last seen wandering along the lane towards next door's orchard, where there's lots of long grass that should give them plenty of cover and, hopefully, keep them safe.  









34 comments:

  1. Goodness, I never knew bees could be robbers! But I suppose it's only natural if they've found an easy source of food. Good luck protecting the hive.

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    1. Yes that's exactly it - bees love an easy source of food and this source is very close.

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  2. Such a wonderful and interesting post with beautiful photos. I am sorry to hear your bee robbing problem but it was fascinating to read of your plans to tackle it and I do hope they work. I would love to know how you got into beekeeping - have you always done it, or did you go on a course or read up about it first?

    Your new lambs are exceedingly cute and I hope the mallard ducklings keep safe. I haven't seen a Painted Lady yet this year - in fact, butterflies seem few and far between :(

    Love the photos of bees on lavender - we have a few bushes here although I have lost my French Lavender :( Goldfinches here come and take the seedheads later in the year.

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    1. Thanks Caroline. I started beekeeping with a couple of visits to other people's hives to see something of what it was all about. Then I went on a local theory and then practical course - and by this time I was hooked! I also found a wonderful old beekeeper who became my mentor and I visited hives with him to learn more.
      I've seen a painted lady about a handful of times - but it isn't a good butterfly year, is it?
      That is interesting about the goldfinches and the lavender. I'll be watching the plants more closely when they're about.

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  3. Your new lawn mowers look delightful and I love the photo of the painted lady on the french lavender. I hope you manage to sort out your bees, it sounds as if it may take a while:)

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    1. The lambs are doing very well. They're already doing their bit to keep the grass down!
      I hope the robbing stops - I want these bees to have enough stores for winter.

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  4. I too didn't realise that bees could steal off each other! I hope you manage to help stop the robbers! Your new lambs look so cute, I'm glad they are beginning to settle in. Sarah x

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    1. Bees can be notorious thieves. Any feeding of colonies has to be done at dusk when the bees aren't flying otherwise other bees will see that a hive has food and will think about robbing them. It is very sad when a colony gives up after all the hard work because they keep losing their stores.

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  5. Those are the cutest lambs that I have ever seen - what a big problem you have with the robber bees - do hoped that your planned campaign against them works.
    We have ducks that fly up onto our hilltop from the canal in the valley to mate and raise their young under our garden bushes. I am always fearful that the fox will come along and discover them.

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    1. The Ryelands are a cute and friendly breed, although more difficult to shear as we found out this summer, because of the wool all over their faces and legs!
      I worry about the ducklings as well. As well as the fox, we have a family of magpies here this year.

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  6. Your new lambs are gorgeous! I learn something new each time I read your posts, fascinating information about your robbers, I hope the wet sheet works.

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    1. I've read the sheet is supposed to be a good deterrent, although I couldn't find out how long I'm supposed to keep it in place. I wish I could also move the hive to another location for a while but I don't have any other place for it.

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  7. The new lawnmowers and ducklings are lovely.

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    1. I agree! I haven't seen the duck and ducklings for a couple of days, but they do seem to have a surprisingly large territory wandering in and out of the gardens.

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  8. Robbers! Well, that's not good. Please report back on whether the sheet works. I'm intrigued.
    When I was young, I didn't much care for the smell of lavender. Too floral and old-ladyish. Now that I'm getting old-ladyish, I have become a huge lavender lover. Maybe it comes with a lack of estrogen or something. We actually have a lavender farm about four miles from here. A bit far for my bees, unfortunately. Can you imagine if they had access? I am lucky enough to have inherited about six lovely plants in my garden and will be planting more, although our varieties are limited by the cold Maine winters. I found it interesting that we have Painted Ladies here too, so looked them up. Apparently, they are found all around the world. Adaptable little butterflies.
    Finally, your chocolate lambs are downright adorable. Do you spin their wool?

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    1. Lavender does have an 'old lady' association I agree. I always associated lavender with my nan and I loved it for that, but I didn't think it was right for me. Now I love having lavender bushes in the garden because the bees love it so much. The bushes are buzzing throughout the summer. I love the fact that the oil relaxes, too. That is a shame you're just too far away from the lavender farm - I've not had pure lavender honey but I understand that it's delicious.
      That is interesting about the painted lady being where you are. They are amazing butterflies - to get here they come right across Europe.
      I don't spin anymore, unfortunately - I sold the spinning wheel a couple of years ago (too much else going on to keep it up - like beekeeping!) If I did still spin I would love the wool from these lambs, the colour alone is lovely.

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    2. Do you ever burn lavender in your bee smoker? I had heard it recommended and tried a little. I don't know if it was soothing to the bees, but I loved it.

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    3. No - but it sounds a really interesting idea. I just tend to use old cardboard & bark and hadn't really thought about adding pleasant scents. I'll give it a go!

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  9. Oh my goodness! Robber bees? I had no idea they did that. I do hope the sheet works, please keep us posted!
    Ahhhh.....I just love your lambs and am so happy they get to live their lives with you. Loved the duck and ducklings, they must be the second brood, we have been inundated with ducklings this year, it's a good job they grow so quickly.xxx

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    1. I've seen from your posts that you have plenty of ducklings each year and it's great that you rear them safely. In the wild they have so many predators don't they? The successful chicks on our pond aren't the ducklings but the moorhens - there seems to be at least three broods each year and they're good at surviving.
      The lambs are very happy and will no doubt get fatter!

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  10. So nice to see you have got your lambs.. they are so cute. Interesting to read about the bees and the chicks are so cute as well...
    Amanda xx

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    1. The lambs and chicks are cute but the bees are the opposite! Both hives are quite grumpy at the moment, I imagine the 'robbed' hive is grumpy because they're in the habit of attacking intruders.

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    2. The lambs and chicks are cute but the bees are the opposite! Both hives are quite grumpy at the moment, I imagine the 'robbed' hive is grumpy because they're in the habit of attacking intruders.

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  11. Dear Wendy
    I have a real problem leaving a comment on your blog, the comments box either doesn't appear at all, or it disappears just as I am about to type. That is why it takes my some time to respond to your posts. I wonder if it happens to anyone else? Love your lambs, what breed are they? Fascinating story about the robber bees - I must say I had never heard of it before, you learn something new everyday :) Lovely pics of the lavender too I counted the number of bees on the lavender in my garden the other, there were seventeen all together - goodness!

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    1. I am sorry Elaine and I know you've mentioned this problem before. I've googled it and tried a couple of things suggested to fix it but perhaps I need to find a techie now to deal with it. I'll ask around.
      The lambs are Ryelands known as a good breed for small flocks.
      Lavender is probably one of the best (if not the best) plants for all bees in my garden.

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    2. I am sorry Elaine and I know you've mentioned this problem before. I've googled it and tried a couple of things suggested to fix it but perhaps I need to find a techie now to deal with it. I'll ask around.
      The lambs are Ryelands known as a good breed for small flocks.
      Lavender is probably one of the best (if not the best) plants for all bees in my garden.

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  12. Cracking post Wendy. Naughty bees! Fascinating stuff - I'm intrigued about reducing the entrance and the wet sheet hope it works. Love the new additions.

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    1. The robber bees are now preoccupied with something else - they're thinking about swarming. Talking around to other beekeepers the main stories are about swarming bees here. Obviously the weather we've been having has had an impact on their behaviour. Usually by now (July) the bees are settling down but not this year!

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  13. Lovely post Wendy. Have you named the lambs yet? Very interesting to read about the robber bees. I don't know much about bee keeping so I hadn't heard of that - I hope you manage to solve the problem. The photos are delightful. I'm enjoying my lavender now too (along with the insects!). :-)

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    1. I've named them Dougal and Bracken. They're already showing different characters! Lavender is wonderful, isn't it? It just hums with bees.

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  14. A wonderful series of photographs. The information about robber bees is fascinating, I didn't know that bees did that. I hope you manage to sort the problem out.

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  15. Thanks - the problem does seem to have sorted itself (for a while at least). The 'robbed' hive has recently become a lot stronger and the other colony has swarmed, so they've been too preoccupied to go out robbing!

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  16. I am so interested in the bees so I have started reading about them and I have read about this too... My goal for the past 7 years has been to plant a wildlife friendly yard with as many pollinator friendly plants as possible. There are so few untreated yards here and no gardens and my yard is full of bees. I also plants borage as an annual and it is very popular too. Next season we will be putting gardens in the front yard and leaving less and less traditional lawn ...I hope....Michelle

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    1. I love the sound of your wildlife friendly yard. I always try to plant for my bees and other pollinators, too. I hardly ever buy plants that aren't loved by bees now.

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