Any Beekeepers out there?

[Quinn4321]

Yes! Just started this spring. I have one hive.

 

[Country Heart]

Quote:
It's so nice to hear that there are experienced beekeepers out there. I am so excited to start the adventure and am sure I will have lots of questions along the way.

 

[CYGChickies]

I am planning to start a hive in the spring. I have read three books, two specialist magazines, combed BeeSource and subscribed to Bee Culture. I will begin attending monthly beekeeper meetings in October and I've got everything picked out on Brushy Mountain. I've decided on Italian bees because while Russians produce more I want the most tame I can get. All the family and friends think I'm nuts and I am slightly worried that I'll be apprehensive around them at first so I wanted tame-as-possible bees to start with. After all I've read I think I'll do alright. I already have a spot picked out for them and a hive chosen. Wish me luck!

CYG

 

[zzGypsy]

Quote:
you probably will be aprehensive at first... I was! best things I can suggest are:
- get a mentor, someone who can help you with your first hive and teach and coach you
- spend some time just sitting watching them come and go from the hive.
the first few weeks, I spent some time every day just watching them fly in and out, greet and groom those coming back, clean the front porch, hang off the landing board when it was hot. at first in my bee suit, and then without it. it got me familiar with what they do, how they behave, what to expect so I was more calm in handling them.

obviously you're preparing well, you'll do just fine!

welcome to bees!

 

[CYGChickies]

Thank you very much! I hope at the meetings I'll find someone who will let me visit before the winter has them staying in. It's still pretty warm here so I'm hoping I'll have time to visit another hive a fee times to watch and maybe even observe someone working the bees.

CYG

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
I find Beemaster.com to be a far friendlier and more helpful forum for beek information exchange. They really are nice to newbees!

 

[jtbrown]

Anyone from Ohio? I am hoping bees next year or year after. Chickens came first, and the coop and run have cleaned us out this year. But next year, really want to see . . .

 

[Quinn4321]

Quote:
I originally received a Russian Queen and Italian workers, etc, which means I now have crosses. They are tame and productive.

 

[CYGChickies]

Thanks for the info guys! I'll start checking out that site and when I replace my queen I'll check out the Russians. That's a cool trick!

Thanks again!

CYG

 

[Avalon1984]

Me too