Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

ALMOST BEEKEEPING - RELATED TOPICS => GARDENING AROUND THE HOUSE => Topic started by: Ashlee on February 17, 2008, 08:40:15 pm

Title: azaleas
Post by: Ashlee on February 17, 2008, 08:40:15 pm
I'm starting my two hives up this spring and I have a few azalea plants in my back yard. I've read that they are poisonous to bees and people. Will this cause my bees (and honey) any problems that I should be concerned with?
Thanks, Ashlee
Title: Re: azaleas
Post by: reinbeau on February 17, 2008, 10:07:03 pm
Ashlee, I had the same concerns, because our yard is surrounded by 8 acres of rhodies and azaleas.  What I was told (and found to be true) is 1) Honeybees aren't all that wild about either and 2) they bloom so early in the year that any honey produced from the nectar is used up by the bees long before the honey we take off is ready.  With that in mind, we've eaten our own honey now for two years straight and haven't gone mad yet  :evil:  Well, some might think we already were.... :lol:

Welcome to the forum, Ashlee, I know you'll enjoy it here!
Title: Re: azaleas
Post by: Cindi on February 18, 2008, 09:52:54 am
Ashlee.  I have heard that too, but as Ann said, hmmmm....kind of doubt that it will affect them.  We have many rhododendrons around our property and the honeybees pay no mind to them whatsoever, but the bombus just love them.  I wouldn't worry too much about this.  Have a wonderful and awesome day, love to live our life.  Cindi
Title: Re: azaleas
Post by: Brian D. Bray on February 18, 2008, 11:19:20 pm
With Rhodies and Azaleas and their cousin the Madronna Tree the honey will make a person sick but I've found that it is often so diluted with other nectar sources to not be a problem.  I live on an Island where there are 1000s of these 3 trees growing wild as well as cultivated and I've never been sick from eating local honey.  Also, as mentioned, they usually flower early enough in the season that the honey produced is generally used by the bees.
Title: Re: azaleas
Post by: doak on February 19, 2008, 09:38:57 pm
If you are not so hopelessly lost, that you have any amount of other things growing in your area that bloom at the same time the AZ's and Rohdies do, I wouldn't worry much.
My Bees pay no attention to the Azaleas.
Of course I have plenty Red Buds.
doak