Bee keeping

[RAST]

"I doubt I can pick up a super, and I will likely be out there working bees without help."
There are several ways around picking up a conventional full super of honey if you desire to do that when extracting.

 

[Chemguy]

I'm interested in top bars. I doubt I can pick up a super, and I will likely be out there working bees without help.

As has been said, there are many ways around this issue. Top bar hives are one good way. Another is to use 8-frame, medium depth supers. These are much easier to handle.

 

[Life is Good!]

I'm interested in top bars. I doubt I can pick up a super, and I will likely be out there working bees without help.

This is the reason I started a top bar hive. I'm nursing a perpetually sore shoulder and wish to avoid any further medical 'issues' with it for at least another dozen years or so. Managing a top bar hive allows me to pursue this interesting hobby and keep my health!

 

[SunnySkies]

This is the reason I started a top bar hive.  I'm nursing a perpetually sore shoulder and wish to avoid any further medical 'issues' with it for at least another dozen years or so.  Managing a top bar hive allows me to pursue this interesting hobby and keep my health!

That is kinda why it appeals to me too. I broke my back and severely damaged one knee many years ago, and while I can pick up heavy things, if I don't absolutely have to, I don't. My max these days is about 35 lbs, and I try to not pick up from the ground.

 

[TexasLisa]

This is the reason I started a top bar hive. I'm nursing a perpetually sore shoulder and wish to avoid any further medical 'issues' with it for at least another dozen years or so. Managing a top bar hive allows me to pursue this interesting hobby and keep my health!

Thank you for raising two fine sons! Please give them a BIG hug for me!

I have been looking at top bar hives for medical reasons also. I had a wrist replacement surgery and need something 'light' to fool with.

Have you heard of the Oleander trees? I have heard/read that they are poisonous to bees. I see them all over the place in my area. Wouldn't bees have the instinct to stay away from things like this?

Lisa

 

[LeRa37]

I too have wanted to have honey bees! Can anyone tell me how much space is required?

 

[TexasLisa]

I too have wanted to have honey bees! Can anyone tell me how much space is required?

I read about this a while back. If they can do it on rooftops, I would think you can do it in your back yard.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/r...yant-parks-pleasures.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Lisa

 

[LeRa37]

Yeah, I was thinking about that. We have a Resteraunt across the bridge in Duluth that has them on the roof......I will look into it, thank you!

 

[NevadaRon]

Yeah, I was thinking about that. We have a Resteraunt across the bridge in Duluth that has them on the roof......I will look into it, thank you!

In the book I linked to on the previous page it talks about things you can do to mitigate the impact on neighbors whatever your space challenges. Mostly it has to do with siting the hive entrance strategically so that their flight path in and out doesn't interfere with human space.

 

[rehric00]

I got my first bee keeping book in the mail today. I am going to do a lot of research prior to starting, but I am getting an itch!