Any Bee Keepers out there?

[noahsgeese]

I feel bad for my bees because they have not been able to get out

I hope that I warms up soon

 

[tony30536]

i gave it a try about 10 years ago, my first bees came from a man that found a swarm way up in the mountains of north georgia thay were evil got them set up far from the house that night i unpluged the hive box and for the next two days thay was at my door waiting for me to come outside thay were hard working bees but a little aggressive thay were dark colored so i bought some italian that were less aggressive , i live close to apple orchards and all the spray thay use was just to hard on the bees so i gave up, last spring me and my son found a swarm of the black bees on a low limb of a plum tree went to get a box came back and thay were gone a hand full was dead on the tree my son had to have them to show everyone put them in a zip lock bag got to grandmas warm home showing them off thay was not dead just cold i never seen a 9 year old move so fast

 

[SamG347]

Glad to see another PA beek! And to see I'm not the only one waiting for this snow to melt so the gals can start flying again! But the snow also allows to me to see my hives are alive and kicking. With it melting quicker on the hive roofs in relation to where the cluster is.

 

[alpinefarm]

Quote:
I loved both these books. My husband is building hives this winter to start us in bees, so it was a delight to read them ahead of the bees actually arriving!

 

[MaggieRae]

I really want to get bees, but I know next to nothing about them. I've attended a class or two and lurked the forums... Any advice y'all might want to give about bee-keeping?

 

[alpinefarm]

Quote:
There are people in NYC, on rooftops of skyscrapers, that keep bees. There are beekeepers in pretty much every community.

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

Our bees are on order and we pick them up on April 10th. Have been starting lots of flower seeds and we bought alfalfa to plant in the open pasture, the fun will be to keep the deer from eating it all. Our farm will be busy this spring with 57 new chickens coming on February 22nd and then the bees. Fruit trees and berries should be in bloom for hopefully plenty for them to get a good start making honey!!

Sandee

 

[rancher hicks]

I have recently met a guy who wants to put a hive on my property. I've wanted to for awhile but know I haven't the time to devote to bees and chickens.

1. Anyhow has anyone here had a similar setup?
2. How did it work out?
3. Has anyone here bougt a used hive set up?
4. How did that work out?
5. Is there a discount site for purchasing a hive setup?
6. Where did you buy yours and why?
7. Any thing different you would do if you could?
8. What would you avoid?
9. How much time do you spend on caring for bees?
10. Each day,Week, Month, Year?

 

[SamG347]

1. Anyhow has anyone here had a similar setup?

I myself being a beekeeper have never had anyone put their own hives on my place. But I have worked for a beekeeper where we did something similar. We called it the home hive program. People would allow use to place hives on their farms/homestead sometimes for a $$$ and the deal is they get to enjoy the aspect of having the hive but we get 2/3 of the honey...they got 1/3 if I remember correctly.

2. How did it work out?

Everyone seemed to really like it. The one Amish farm we put hives on had the kids involved.

3. Has anyone here bougt a used hive set up?

Buying a used hive setup can usually be a cheap way to do it but if you don't know the person or the bees I wouldn't reccomend it. Especially if you are a new beek. The hive could have disease...chemicals...poor bees...etc.

4. How did that work out?

...............look above.................

5. Is there a discount site for purchasing a hive setup?

Check Brushy Mountain Bee Supplys...http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/


6. Where did you buy yours and why?

I got my hives from the beekeeper I worked for...he orders bulk woodenware and we build hives/frames. I bought there cause it is local and that means CHEAPER on price and shipping cost is gone.

7. Any thing different you would do if you could?

I wouldn't change anything.....I work with Northern and some Southern Survivor stock Queens...and usually the Queens you are getting in packages aren't the greatest. Just like hatchery chicks can't usually beat Show Quaility. You are getting Queens that have been mass produced unless your going with a small private breeder. But for a newbie..package bees and queens are finnnnneee!

8. What would you avoid?

DO NOT let people scare you about beekeeping. When working a hive it is best to be calm....cool...and collected. Move slowly...let your movements flow...and try NOT kill/squish any bees. You can checkout my website to see what I wear when tending hives. I only ever wear a Veil and usually long sleeve shirt. The bees can sense how comfortable you are with them and if you are shaking and being fearful they will take advantage of that.

Also avoid getting bees from the Texas Pan-handle. Getting Bees/Queens from the East coast Sourthern states and California and such are okay. But you can run into Africanized bees when ordering from Texas. Especially openly mated Queens. Africanized can be worked with though and successfully but only the expirenced beek should attempt.

9. How much time do you spend on caring for bees?

Little or none! I try and just get into my hives weekly just to make sure all is going well. But after your hives are up and running there is very little you need to do. Maybe feed sugar syrup in the spring/late summer/fall. But other than that they care for themselves. I do NOT treat with any chemicals as I'm working with Mite resistant stock. If a hive is look bad I let it die. No need to shove a drug store into a hive. That is just weakening the bees genetically/resistance and then going into your honey/comb.
10. Each day,Week, Month, Year?

.......look above.......

 

[noahsgeese]

Quote:
You need to get some!