- Aug 8, 2011
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Quote:
if you want to do natural style, search the yahoo groups for "natural beekeeping" there are several good groups on there. and do find your local bee club, they're the best source on what works in your area.
I guess I do want natural. I was trying to find an article I read on Mother Earth New (I think) about different types of hives. There are a couple of other types than the "box" that are more natural I guess.
you're thinging about top bar hives. there may be a group in yahoo for that too.
some folks think they're an easier place to start than the standard langstroth box hive, but like anything they have good and bad about them. you can natural beekeep in a langstroth as well... how successful natural method will be depend on your environment, the quality of your bees, your skills and a ton of other stuff. I am generally a natural method person, no chemicals, but we'll see how that works here in missouri where it's harder to keep bees than in So.Cal.
I haven't done a top bar, I may try one this year just to see how I like them. the box hives aren't difficult and I like the results. the only change I'll probably make is go to all medium boxes instead of deeps and shallows. if you're limited on the amount of weight you can manage lifting, you can also use 8-frame instead of 10-frame boxes to keep the size down. but bees do great in langstroth all the time.
tops bars can be a good in-city choice because they don't look like a beehive. it's always interesting how just seeing a beehive can make all of your neighbors dealthy allergic to bee stings.
if you want to do natural style, search the yahoo groups for "natural beekeeping" there are several good groups on there. and do find your local bee club, they're the best source on what works in your area.
I guess I do want natural. I was trying to find an article I read on Mother Earth New (I think) about different types of hives. There are a couple of other types than the "box" that are more natural I guess.
you're thinging about top bar hives. there may be a group in yahoo for that too.
some folks think they're an easier place to start than the standard langstroth box hive, but like anything they have good and bad about them. you can natural beekeep in a langstroth as well... how successful natural method will be depend on your environment, the quality of your bees, your skills and a ton of other stuff. I am generally a natural method person, no chemicals, but we'll see how that works here in missouri where it's harder to keep bees than in So.Cal.
I haven't done a top bar, I may try one this year just to see how I like them. the box hives aren't difficult and I like the results. the only change I'll probably make is go to all medium boxes instead of deeps and shallows. if you're limited on the amount of weight you can manage lifting, you can also use 8-frame instead of 10-frame boxes to keep the size down. but bees do great in langstroth all the time.
tops bars can be a good in-city choice because they don't look like a beehive. it's always interesting how just seeing a beehive can make all of your neighbors dealthy allergic to bee stings.
