Bee keeping

[Foghornnmsprisy]

So do you build the bee house and they move in? Or do you get bees and move them in? I've just talked the hubby into not saying no to bees. As long as he doesn't have to any collect honey he's in.

 

[Amirah]

Mann Lake has good products for a good price. I would stick to a tradition Langstroff hive for soo many reasons...easier to add bees, to do extractions, to buy parts, etc. I bought a hexhive and while its cute the bees where not in love with it. plus its extremely inefficient.

 

[skunknchatter]

I had bees a few years ago. A friend gave me a hive that he didn't prepare for winter. It was nasty. There was 4" of dead, black, moldy, rotting bee carcasses in the bottom super. I don't even know how any bees were getting in and out. I did some research and we moved the hive to my house. We had to set up a single box at the friends house because they only live a mile away and several bees were going back to his place. We brought the "lost" bees home twice in the first week then we didn't have any more problems with it. Before I brought the hive home I had collected some old boxes and sanded and repainted them. The very first thing I did was take the hive apart and transfer the bees to the new clean home. I moved as many non-moldy frames as I could with them and had to add a few new ones. It took me a really long time to get the old hive parts clean and usable. In the meantime my small colony was trying to recover from their terrible winter. I ended up re-queening and they did amazing. They produced enough honey that summer that I was able to take a couple of frames. This amazed me since they were in such rough shape starting out.

I ended up selling my hive and equipment a couple years later because my son was born and became a toddler. We have lots of clover in our lawn and the bees loved it. I'd already stepped on a few while barefoot and I was afraid of my son crawling over them and getting stung. I didn't have anywhere away from my home to keep the hive so they went to a new home. However, I plan on getting more bees in a few years as my son gets older.

When I first worked my bees I used gloves but I quickly found I was squashing bees and pissing them off. So I removed the gloves (my husband thinks I'm nuts) and would never use them again. I did use a full suit, hat, and veil. I started out with just a jacket but found them crawling up my pants.

Bottom line: beekeeping is fantastic. They are really cool creatures.

 

[rancher hicks]

Hi folks,

I was reading on getting bees but decided it's not for me.

However I have a question. I buy honey of course and the recent jar/bear doesn't seem as sweet at the last Jar. Is there a reason?

I buy from bee folks so some comes in Bears and some in canning jars or jars. I recently saw a jar a friend had that looked like motor oil/molasses.

I often get some at the NYS fair. I've seen some on CL for $5 per one pound jar. They're not close so I haven't contacted them. That and I'd most likely buy 5 or 10 pounds. I've grown fond of honey in my tea.

At the NYS fair there are lots of "flavors".

Anyone here near Syracuse, NY? If so you can pm me if you're selling honey. I will be looking for it at the Regional Farmers market.

I find Maple syrup is the same way. Some seems thick, others watery.

Ta, ta for now,

Rancher Hicks.

 

[Amirah]

The early summer flow of honey is much lighter in color and sweet.

The late summer nectar is darker, thicker and less sweet.

Different times of the year different flowers blossom, that that results in the difference in color and flavor of the honey.

I live in CA, but is it hard to come buy organic honey at local farmer's market in your area?

Hope this helps!

 

[rancher hicks]

The early summer flow of honey is much lighter in color and sweet.

The late summer nectar is darker, thicker and less sweet.

Different times of the year different flowers blossom, that that results in the difference in color and flavor of the honey.

I live in CA, but is it hard to come buy organic honey at local farmer's market in your area?

Hope this helps!

It does help somewhat. At the NYS fair we have different Apiarists so not all the honey can be slated to one person. At the Farmers market there are two folks who sell honey.

I've never looked for Organic honey and never really thought there was such a thing. How can one be sure all the bees are going to organic orchards or flowers?

So you suggest I look for lighter colored honey if I want sweeter honey?

 

[kweyland]

I have been successful at raising chickens and organic gardening for a year now. Time to add bee keeping. I need advice on what equipment to buy and what to stay away from. I also need to know where to get quality equipment and supplies from a trusted source that won't break the bank. I live in Stow, Ohio. Thank you my self sufficient friends.

I'm in Western Washington, and we have a few families that are a few Mennonite that are really involved in our bee keeping club. They make everything that is needed to raise bees, but sell it at cost to make it. Because of their religion (and they are amazing people) everything is made really high quality, but they are unable to accept profit gain. I would look at your area for something similar. Then you'd be supporting local, and getting really quality equipment. Also in our area, no one just gets bees, you have become an apprentice and get 10 hours before you can buy them.

 

[FawniesFleet]

Is there someone in lansing Michigan that can sell or trade me bees wax,for diy lip balm and stuff. I could probably get it on eBay but I was trying to find someone local or from another backyard farmer (I have 3 chickens)

 

[NikonD2xer]

Is there someone in lansing Michigan that can sell or trade me bees wax,for diy lip balm and stuff. I could probably get it on eBay but I was trying to find someone local or from another backyard farmer (I have 3 chickens)

I just looked at the Michigan Beekeepers Association. http://www.michiganbees.org/honey-locator-map

I found this for lansing

Dean Cross, Lansing, MI 48911
Contact Dean or Lois Cross
Phone: 517-899-1696

Location: 2162 Grovenburg Road, Lansing, MI 48911

Extracted raw honey, comb honey, creamed honey, bees wax, pollen, propolis and other hive products year round.


Hope that helps

 

[tomcatvmp]

can we get some more info about how the above contraption works? whats inside etc, bees on the cheap are part of my plan.