Maintain an adequate distance from other apiaries
Maintaining an adequate distance between apiaries is important for management and health issues.
Regarding the distances between apiaries, it is important to specify whether we are referring to the distances between the apiaries of the same beekeeper or the distances between the apiaries of different beekeepers.
For apiaries belonging to the same beekeeper, it is recommended to have a distance of at least 3 km among the apiaries. In this way, the bees of one apiary will not be in contact with those of other apiaries and also it is possible to move hives or nuclei between one apiary and another without the risk of the foragers returning to their initial position. Furthermore, in the event of diseases or cases of parasitic re-infestations it is possible to intervene or isolate only the apiaries affected, while if they were less than 3 km away it would be necessary to intervene or isolate all those within a 3 km radius of the apiary having health issues.
For the distances between apiaries of different beekeepers, the national legislation can provide a mandatory minimum distance.
Another aspect linked to the distance from other apiaries is productivity (based on the season, flowering, etc.). Maintaining active communication with the neighbouring beekeepers is always important. Abandoned apiaries or those not bearing the registration code can be reported (based on the national legislation). It is also important to consider the geographical qualities of the foraging territory (for example, a pasture between two slopes compared to one on the plain). The distance among small apiaries should also be considered (e.g. many small apiaries close to each other can still create a bigger problem compared to two large apiaries set-up at larger distances apart). Veterinary associations and official veterinary services can disseminate disease prevention and treatment protocols for apiaries, especially in areas with a high density of apiaries. To guarantee genetic isolation, greater distances (even greater than 10 km) between two apiaries could be advantageous.
Warnings: May depend on the regulations in force in the given country.
Please check out the B-THENET Platform for the Best Beekeeping Practices tailored to each country in the national language, co-developed with practicing beekeepers in the National B-THENET Centres of those countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden).
BEST PRACTICES AND INNOVATIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE BEEKEEPING
Ongoing | 2022-2026
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