We have had our problem neighbours here in Melbourne.
At first they were really happy accepting our honey gifts and a frame or two of comb for their kids. Then someone got stung, of course it was one of 'our' bees. There are lots of hobby beekeepers in the area. The lady next door swatted with her hand a bee that landed in her hair. Hmmm, it stung her.
They even downloaded and printed our Apiarists Code Of Conduct, which I have read a few times. Dutifuly highlighted all the thingss we 'allegedly' were not doing right. They did pick me up on one point though, I had not labelled my hives with my registration number. Easily fixed. They were nitpicking and trying to find a reason to declare our apiary 'illegal' no doubt.
They complained to the local council. However, in this case they council was 100% on our side and said we could keep our beehives.
I don't think hiding our hives would have worked, they are very nosy, and the lady often enters our backyard permaculture garden to help herself to lettuce and show the kids our chooks. I did not mind at all except it is usually followed by some complaint or another, a tree growing too close, a rooster too loud, something wrong with the fence, the bees are attacking, there is too much of 'your' water flowing onto our place.... So I agree that if people cannot see or hear something they won't complain. I hate to say it, but I think we Australians are turning into a nation of whingers.
Now I am concerned that one of their kids might stub their toe or step on a bee and we will get sued, so we have politely asked them not to trespass. Which is a shame, kids should be educated about gardening and bees and chooks etc.
I did move our hive about 20 feet away from their fence, at their request. But I doubt it will make a lot of difference to the amount of bees flying in their general direction. Anyway, we have not heard about any bee incidents for about 6 months, so all good for now.
john