Bees!!

[deserthorsewoman]

Sun is out in Cali, in the 60's during the day, and so are the bees.
Neighbor has about 30 hives sitting on the pasture next to us. His bees are very attracted to my slowfeeder nets hanging, and my horses' feed....nothing sweet, just soaked alfalfa pellets.
Horses won't touch the haynets and get very annoyed by the bees flying around their heads and in the feedbowls.
I need ideas how to lure them away. Blooming plant is not yet an option, still frost at night.
Anybody?

[Northernstar]

Oooh - that's a tough one. The only thing I can come up with is maybe they're at an "investigating stage" right now over near your alfalfa? Maybe the smell is more of an attractant than we would think. Assuming these are honey bees, hopefully they'll eventually give up since there's not any nectar - possibly they're not finding much nectar elsewhere yet, (beginning of season) and keep coming back to search again? Hope they'll move on for your horses' sake soon - I don't think honey bees are highly agressive, and pretty calm for the most part. Glad it's not a yellow jacket problem as that would be a whole different story! Good luck :)

[deserthorsewoman]

Yellowjackets would be easy......
I don't want to hurt the bees, they are mellow, just annoying, like they're not all awake yet( highly possible). Strange is the sitting and swarming in and around the haynets,
I first thought, the orange feed bowls are so attractive, but they go for the feed, not the bowls.
Plus, they come into the house, through the swamp cooler, just now I caught one and set it outside .......

[NorthernMama]

Well, I'm guessing your neighbour has lots of experience with bees. Why not ask him? If you say it the same way as you did here, not that you hate his bees, just looking for some input, I think he would be willing to provide some tips.

[EmilyJoy]

We raise bees or I should say our Grandpa raises bees... Anyway I would need a bit more info.

Are they all in a huge bunch? Are they just buzzing around?

Usually when spring thaw hits (I'm talking Iowa.. No idea how it is like there) the bees will come out maybe look for food (do house cleaning) and then go back into the bottom of the hive, if the bees are just wandering around I wouldn't worry about them because when it gets cold again they'll go back into their hives, if they are stealing that's another thing...

I would, personally, feed them. Put a jar of sugar water out a ways from your barn, if they're hungry which I suspect, they'll find it sooner or later and it should keep them occupied. I would guess you wouldn't have this problem in spring because of all the different blossoms etc... ?

[DimSum]

I second the sugar water idea, just put some in a shallow pan like a pie plate. Once they get the idea it is there they should leave the less yummy horse feed alone.

[Northernstar]

Wow! "I could've had a V-8"! Smart thinking, EmilyJoy and DimSum! I agree it's definitely worth doing :)

[EmilyJoy]

I'll be curious to see if it works...

[DimSum]

Glad to "bee" helpful

[Northernstar]

A little side note.... if I were to do this, it would be for the briefest time possible until natural nectar is readily available. The bees must have natural nectar to make honey, and in the process they're pollinating flowers and fruit trees.