Best time (of day) to mow around the hive

Honey bee related question, but not directly related to raising bees so I thought it would be better as a separate thread. The question is, what is the best time of day to mow around the bee hive?

I have searched this question and seen multiple, conflicting, answers given. Some say it's best in the middle of the day while their out foraging, whereas others have said early in the morning or evening when they're in the hive. My wife, who takes care of the bees, says she waits till they're out and about to inspect the hive and it strikes me as this would be the better time to mow, but what say those with experience?

I have also read to AVOID blowing the discharge at the entrance of the hive (for obvious reasons). I have also read that weed whackers tend to piss them off, as does a diesel tractor with a brush hog. How close is too close then?

In our case, they are up on a raised patio, about 6" off the ground and you'd have some space between the hive and where you have to mow.

For me being deathly allergic I'd say any time someone else mows

Depends on the bees, some become acclimated to noises while others sound the alarm. Smoke them if they act up is my suggestion.

LeeMajors said:

For me being deathly allergic I'd say any time someone else mows

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My mother is. I am not that I know of, but would rather do everything I can to avoid finding out.

Depends on how fast the mower is and how daring you are or if you have a cab tractor that doesnt leak.

I would think one fast pass by later in evening at dusk or dark once they quiet down but I am no bee expert only know when the yellow jackets and hornets seem to be calmer and not out to get me.

its not worth it is the best time

If me I would start mowing at a far distance and slowly near the hive say in a 30 minute period, certainly with both eyes open.

Put mulch under the hives so you don't have to mow at all.

I started getting stung last year near this time of year while I mowed. The spring and june I had no problems. Late july into August they started nailing me. I do have a diesel mower so I dont know if that bothered them more or not. I mowed in mid day while they were out foraging and late afternoon. It didnt matter. They like to go for the face and head. I got stung in the ear twice, both separate mowing events and then I got stung on the upper lip. After that I mow with a veil on.

So far this summer I have not has any hitting the veil. We are getting into the derth time were they get more protective of the hive so I'm expecting to get a sting or two.

It varies all the time. I have hives that I can mow right past and its like they don't even notice, and other times they will pop your ass. Some are irritated all the time so a fast pass is best. They are the same way when you are tending to them. At times you don't need any gear and other times, they are going to get you no matter what.

For my wife, it doesn't matter how she does it, she is going to get stung. She gets stung sometimes when I'm mowing and she is not even close to the hives.

I read that this time of year food is more sparse which makes them angrier and that if you feed them a day before it helps. I’ve also read that wearing a veil is a smart move.

LeeMajors said:

For me being deathly allergic I'd say any time someone else mows

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Ive been stung twice since I was 15. First at 15 swelled my arm up like pop-eye ate spinach. Second hit me above eye and hung in my hat. That one was weird it caused my back to go into severe spasms like a minute after getting stung dropped me to the ground. That was two years ago and 25 years after last allergic reaction. So I'm with you man.

I tend to approach cutting away and advancing toward the colonies. Gives them a chance to get used to the mower. I put my jacket on when I start cutting closer than 3 feet or use the weed eater. I used to go with the concept of cut when they are out foraging. Now I cut early in the morning so I don’t die from the heat.
It takes about an hour plus to cut the bee yards.

Run a 25/1 gas/oil ratio and mow in a cloud like a '72 Pinto in disrepair.

I mowed around 4 hives this morning and one hive was madder than hell when I went past. The entire front of the hive became black where they came out and some of them stayed with me for about 35 yards. Few minutes later they were back in the hive. The other 3 were fine.

I was told that it was the vibration of the mower blade or weedeater string.

Get an electric push mower to trim just around them with. Less vibration and no exhaust to aggravate them

The report from mowing the other day was that only a couple came out to investigate, but then I think they had been fed sugar water that morning too. My wife said they're also finding pollen again and they weren't a few days ago. It's some kind of brown pollen that's growing now.

punch line to an old joke:
yesterday.

I have a new wild hive on my golf course this season that has taken up residence in an RCW hole in a pine. I’ve worked on this course for almost ten years, and this is the first wild hive I’ve seen on it. Since I noticed it in the spring I’ve run most of our mowers and a tractor blower (LOUD, just ask the neighbors!) to within 10’ or so of the tree with no problems from various times from daybreak to around 4 pm.

Cut the grass at one of my yards yesterday. Out of fifty colonies on that yard only two deployed any offense. The next to last colony deployed a force strong enough for me to abandon the weed wacker Work for a few minutes to let them calm down. Took three attempts to finish. They were quite pissed and determined. I only got stung five times.