Native bees FAQs
How do I look after my hive?
No regular maintenance needs to be undertaken for the health of the bees - they are very self-sufficient! However, the wooden hive box requires some care. It is important to keep your hive dry and out of the fierce afternoon sun, as well as giving it a wipe down if it gets dirty. Doing this will keep the box in the best condition possible, which means a good home for your bees.
The hive box – although the bees look after themselves, the box they are in does need to be looked after. Be sure to keep the box as dry as possible and ensure that the it isn’t swamped by foliage. Check the condition of the box regularly, and if and degradation occurs such as gapping or damage be sure to contract the WildThings team so that the box can be repaired.
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 (anything above 20 degrees celsius) then please let us know.
On very hot days (above 38 degrees celsius) we advise you to fully shade your hive. You can also place 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 to remove the towel once the heat subsides.
On extremely hot days (40+), you can also move your hive temporarily somewhere cool, such as a utility room, shed, or garage. Then, once the heat of the day has passed, put the hive straight back where it was before. To do this, you’ll need to close your bees up the night before the hot day with something like fly mesh, keeping the bees inside but allowing them to breathe. Once closed, place the hive in your temporary cool spot. Once the heat of the day has passed and the temperature has dropped in the evening, put the hive back outside in the original spot and release the bees. If you would like guidance on this, please contact the Environmental Programs Team.
Do I need to move my hive for summer and winter?
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. See notes above on how to do this. In extreme cold, moving the hive slightly (50cm at a time) into an area where they get morning sun is a good option.
Moving the hive to a warmer position for winter (and then back again for summer) is possible if done slowly, that is, approximately 50cm every few days. This is a viable option if you need to place your hive in different spots for winter and summer due to having no spot that works for both seasons. Please contact the Environmental Programs team for guidance on how to do this before you attempt any move by email: wildthings@krg.nsw.gov.au
Can I move my hive around my backyard?
Please do not move the hive as the bees are very sensitive to their position. Forager bees have an exceptionally strong in-built 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 50 cm (maximum) at a time and should only be moved at night 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 join the Native Beehive Program?
We don't include schools or childcare centres in the native beehive program in the same way as residents. However, never fear! This certainly doesn't mean you cannot get a hive! We do facilitate schools getting a hive, in fact 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 for your school.
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 us 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, how to seal it in preparation for the move, 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, sorry you can’t take your hive. 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.
If you really don’t want to part with your hive then you can arrange to purchase it, please contact us to discuss this option.
Do I need to split my hive?
No you don't and in fact residents are not permitted to split their foster hive. The splitting of hives is only done by Council staff 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, the 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 assess hives for a split on a two-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, Tetragonula.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 special honey collecting layers.
Here in Sydney in particular, the bees tend to produce smaller amounts of honey than those in Queensland for example, and so have a greater need for it as food 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.
I think my hive has died, what do I do?
There will usually be signs if a hive is not doing well, so if you notice drops in activity or changes in their regular behaviour then please contact the Environmental Programs team immediately and someone will come and check on your hive.
However, if you do believe your hive has died, please inform the Environmental Programs team at wildthings@krg.nsw.gov.au as soon as possible. We will organise collection of the hive and update our database. 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 three 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 three 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 three months of a split performed by Council staff, your hive will be replaced.
It is important, especially during the first months, that you contact the Environmental Programs team if there is any change or decline in your hive’s behaviour.
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 three 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.
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. Never open a hive to check inside. This will only be done by Council staff and as a last resort. The hive may still be active and opening it will make it vulnerable to further damage. 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, with the tube in your ear, and you should hear a low buzzing.
Just make sure that the hive gets plenty of winter sunshine so that it gets some warmth on the sunny days. If it isn’t, then you can move it in 50cm intervals (at night once the foraging bees are back indoors) to a slightly better position. If you need to move your hive further than a handful of metres 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 with 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 a 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. 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.
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.
How can I have my hive split?
You must not split a foster hive yourself.
Splitting is only undertaken to produce additional hives for the native bee foster program. It is important to note, that hives do not need to be split to maintain their health.
Your foster hive will be assessed by Council staff on a two-year schedule and you will be notified when this will take place. If the hive is healthy and Council still requires additional colonies, then the hive will be split.
Information about the process of splitting a hive, as well as the dimensions of the OATH hive, can be found online and YouTube searches including ‘Tim Heard’. His book, The Australian Native Bee Book, is also an excellent resource.
Council does not offer a splitting service for privately-owned hives. However there are commercial splitting services available.
Additional resources
For more information on keeping native bees, visit bee guru Tim Heard's website or the Aussiebees website.