Guilfordbeekeepers.org

This is my first year beekeeping, and I have 2 hives. I am curious to know what many of you veterans recommend for maintaining the grass/weeds around your hives. I would like to clear enough area so I don't need to get too close to the hives with my riding mower.

My hives are located in an area where killing the grass wouldn't be a problem. I also would not have a problem laying down some type of substrate (gravel, sand, etc) if this would be optimal. I am looking forward to hearing your recommendations.

Also, I have a specific question about Roundup. I have read that it isn't harmful to the bees, but are there any special precautions I need to take before using Roundup to kill the grass/weeds around my hives?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Roundup is safe as long as you don't remove the cap from the container. Once you do, you will be either killing, or damaging bees, if they get into it.

Mowing and weed eating around the hives is not a big problem.

Read reply # 10 in this thread.

http://www.beekeepingforums.com/threads ... post147881

Thanks for the help Wally, I may just go the natural route to be safe. I think I am going to lay down some landscaping plastic and cover it with river pebbles.

Our "Just Stuff" category has a useful links sticky that includes sites which post agricultural chemical labels. These usually contain notifications about toxicity to bees and other non-targets of the product. This is the link for one of the sites you can use when you have a question about various chemical applications.

http://www.cdms.net/LabelsMsds/LMDefault.aspx?t=

your welcome to come by and see my bees, and how I have them set up. I have gravel under my main hive stand, and plan on placing another into service soon. I mow right up next to the hives, with no issue this year, but have had years where it was a problem.