Author Topic: killing workers? (Read 2449 times)

TAH · « **on:** September 08, 2005, 12:55:45 am »

I have about 11 acres of alfalfa at the site I have my bees at and have been letting it blossom more than I used to to let the bees use it. Now it needs to be mowed and I am wondering if I am going to wipe out a lot of my workers by running them through the haybine. I like to cut at about 13 MPH so they don't have a lot of time to get out of the way.

Joseph Clemens · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2005, 01:28:05 am »

Perhaps you could screen them in the night before you cut and release them after you are finished cutting.

bassman1977 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 08, 2005, 09:41:53 am »

We have a couple hundred acres of alfalfa, and it didn't affect the bees when it was cut. I'm sure some got sliced and diced, but I think when they hear the rumble of machinery coming through, they bug out in time.

TAH · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2005, 10:13:26 pm »

Is the field blossomed out when you cut? Normally people around here cut before it even starts blooming. The fields are full of bees now.

Jerrymac · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2005, 12:04:41 am »

Wouldn't there be a certain time of day the bees wouldn't be on it?

TAH · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2005, 12:27:36 am »

Today they were working it all day. I'm sure they leave by the time it is dark but I don't want to cut in the dark. I am going to watch and see if they leave it. When I used to use a haybine I could only cut about 4 MPH so it there was a lot more chance for bugs to get out of the way. Now the dear and rabbits just barely make it.