Native bees FAQs
What do I need to look after my hive?
The short answer is: very little! No regular maintenance needs to be undertaken for the health of the hive - they are very self-sufficient!
Observation is key - keep an eye on their activity. They should be nice and active when the weather is warm. The bees only fly when temperatures are above 18 degrees Celsius, if your bees are not out and about on warm, sunny days then get in touch.
On very hot days (above 38 degrees) we advise placing a damp, but not wet, towel over the top of your hive. You can place the end of the towel in some water in order for the moisture to wick through the towel throughout the day. Be sure to not obscure the entrance and remove the towel once the heat subsides.
Other than that, just enjoy!
Do I need to move my hive from summer to winter spots?
When delivered, the Environmental Programs team will place the hive in an area they believe to be the best spot all year round.
However, bees can overheat in summer if they are left in direct afternoon heat. On 38 + degree days it is important to help keep the hive cool by placing a wet towel over the hive during the day (see above for details). Another option is to temporarily place the hive in a cool area. If you decide to do this, you will need to seal the hive up the night before to trap the bees inside. In extreme cold, moving the hive slightly (less than 1 metre) into an area where they get morning sun is a good option.
Can I move my hive around my backyard?
We do not advise moving the hive as the bees are very sensitive to their position. Forager bees have an exceptionally strong GPS which, while great for helping them find their way back from foraging, can also cause problems if the hive is moved.
If you do need to move your hive for some reason please contact the Environmental Programs team and we can advise. The hive should not be moved more than a metre (maximum) at a time and should only be moved of a night time once all the worker bees have made their way back to the hive. Once moved, keep an eye on the bees to make sure they are foraging and returning to the hive as normal and not hovering where the hive used to be.
We're a School, can we enter the Bee Lottery?
We don't include Schools or childcare centres in the native stingless bee program in the same way as residents and so they are not included in the beehive lottery draw. However, never fear! This certainly doesn't mean you cannot get a hive! We do facilitate schools getting a hive, in face we highly encourage it, and there is a different route for you. Please see our Smart Schools page for more information on getting a hive.
I’m moving within Ku-ring-gai, can I take my hive?
If you’re moving to another property in Ku-ring-gai and you want to take your hive, you must contact Council before you move. We’re happy for you to transfer your foster hive to another address but it is important that we have up to date details on the location of our hives. We will also guide you on how to transport a hive safely and how to situate it somewhere suitable at your new property.
I'm moving out of Ku-ring-gai, can I take my hive?
No. The Native Stingless Bee program is for Ku-ring-gai residents only and the hives are the property of Ku-ring-gai Council. If you are moving out of Ku-ring-gai you must contact Council so that we can arrange for the hive to be collected.
Do I need to split my hive?
No. Residents are not permitted to split their foster hive. The splitting of hives is only done to create more hives for the program. It has no health benefits to the hive and actually depletes the resources and health of the hive initially as you are literally creating two from one. For this reason splitting of hives can only be performed by the Environmental Programs team and only when hives are deemed healthy and strong.
The Environmental Programs team will split the hives on a 2 year schedule. This allows for the hives to re-establish well between splits and minimises the amount of times the hive is opened.
Will my beehive produce honey?
Unlike the exotic honey bee, T.carbonaria do not produce large amounts of honey. At most, bees will produce 1kg of honey a year but this is when hives are fitted with honey collecting layers.
Here in Sydney in particular, the bees tend to produce smaller amounts of honey and have a greater need for it in the cooler winter months.
As such, we don’t condone the collection of honey as part of the Native Stingless Bee program and residents are not permitted to collect honey from their foster hives. If there is honey present when the hive is split staff are happy to give residents a taste and should any honey need to be drained then residents may keep this small amount.
I think my hive has died, what do I do?
Regardless of how long you have had the hive, please inform the Environmental Programs team at wildthings@krg.nsw.gov.au if your hive dies, as soon as possible. We will organise collection of the hive and update our database with any available information. This data helps us learn more about our native bees by identifying commonalities across hive deaths and assists in forming improved strategies to prevent future hive deaths.
My hive has died, am I able to get another?
Residents who join the program receive one hive and are responsible for caring for it as instructed by Council. If your hive dies within 3 months and the cause of death is not due to neglect or mistreatment, Council will provide a replacement hive subject to availability. If you have had the hive longer than 3 months, and the death of the hive was not caused by neglect or mistreatment, you will be free to reapply for the chance to host another hive in the future. Should your hive die within 3 months of a split performed by Council staff, your hive will be replaced.
I have already had a replacement hive, does that mean I can't get another?
If you have received a replacement hive in the past it will not affect your eligibility to receive a replacement in the future. You will only be eligible for a replacement colony if your hive has died within 3 months of a split by Council staff and the hive has been reasonably cared for. However, provided that the death of the hive was not caused by mistreatment or neglect, you will be free to reapply for the chance to host another hive in the future.
I am not a resident, can I get a hive?
Only Ku-ring-gai residents are eligible to join the Native Stingless Beehive program. However, we do sell a limited number of native beehives out of area. Please see our Native Stingless Bee program page for more details.
Bee behaviour
There has been no activity around my hive
Throughout the winter months it is very common for there to be little activity around the hive. Opening a hive is a last resort, just in case it is still active and we might make it vulnerable as a result. Usually, there will be a few guard bees clustered around the entrance of the hive or just inside the entrance. If you can see these, the hive is fine, it is just not warm enough for activity.
You should also be able to hear them. If you’re not seeing your bees place your ear right up to the entrance and you should hear a low buzzing.
Just make sure that the hive gets some morning sunshine so that it gets some warmth on the sunny days. If it isn’t, then you can move it up to one metre in the evening (foraging bees back indoors) to a slightly better position. If you need to move it further than this to get some sun then please get in touch and we can advise.
If it is spring or summer and the temperatures are reaching over 23 degrees regularly, a lack of activity should be investigated. Please email wildthings@krg.nsw.gov.au.
My bees are swarming what do I do?
Firstly, swarming is nothing to be concerned about! It isn’t dangerous to either you or your hive and no matter the cause you’ll still be left we bees once it all calms down in a week or so. Swarming is a very interesting (although sometimes distressing) behaviour of your hive. Generally, it involves large amount of bees clouding around the hive or congregating at the entrance.
Your bees can swarm when defending themselves against another hive. This can escalate to a full-blown battle in which bees will grab hold of each other resulting in large amount of bee deaths. These are generally all the female forager bees.
You may also see a swarm of male bees around your hive. A virgin queen attracts the attention of male bees from far and wide, resulting in males swarming around your hive waiting to mate with her. Swarming does usually resolve itself in a couple of days, sometimes the defending hive will seal itself up and this will discourage the invaders for long enough for them to move on. However, swarming can carry on for a number of weeks. There is not a lot that can be done to help or prevent swarming, however no matter the outcome, you’ll still be left with a healthy hive afterwards.
How can I have my hive split?
Council does not offer a splitting service.
It is important to note, that hives do not need to be split to maintain their health. Splitting is only undertaken to produce additional hives.
Information about the process of splitting a hive, as well as the dimensions of the OATH hive, can be found online and YouTube searches include Tim Heard. His book, The Australian Native Bee Book, is also an excellent resource.
Commercial splitting services are also increasingly available throughout the Sydney region.
Additional resources
For more information on keeping native bees, visit bee guru Tim Heard's website or Aussiebees website.