Beekeeping!

[Stacykins]

So I am not technically in the hobby yet, but soon will be! Actually, I didn't know if beekeeping counted as a hobby or other livestock, but this seemed like the better place to put the thread.

I can't wait to finally be able to keep bees! I adore honey bees. Once I finish moving to Escanaba next month, I'll be able to set everything up. I actually already have the hive and all the equipment ordered. In addition, I pre ordered a 3lb bee package of Minnesota Hygienic Bees (with queen of course!) to arrive a week or so after my move date. Everything will be set up for those awesome little social bugs to move in. I've buried myself in books and info. While I don't have a mentor (sad!) I am pretty sure I can get started on the right foot. In addition to them having fruit trees to pollinate, there is plenty of alfalfa and I am also planting a few Diervilla lonicera for them, a shrub variety of honeysuckle that is native to Michigan and blooms from spring all through the summer and is a great nectar source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Originally I was just going to get mason bees. Their real purpose will be pollination of the fruit trees on the property. However, I have the time and money to commit to honey bees. I know I am not allergic to bees, which is a big plus. Actually, throughout my childhood people thought me odd because I could scoop a honey or bumblebee off a flower to take a closer look without getting stung. I have been stung by being silly and stepping on them barefoot when I had no idea they were underfoot, though!

So if anyone else keeps bees (I know you are out there!), I'd love to know what type of bees you keep, about your setups, and anything else you'd like to share about your experience with keeping bees!

 

[KBlue]

Hello from Ohio

My parents have bees, and when DH and I get a few acres next year, we'll get some too. I grew up with two hives outside the back door and was never stung by any of them. Only from yellow jackets. We help them harvest at least once a year, and the honey is delicious! They've had many varieties over the years, but they tend to favor the mild-mannered Buckwheat, or Californians. Stay away from Russian bees because they have been partially africanized and are quite aggressive. I would only recommend those to more advanced keepers.

It sounds like you are ready to jump in and do it. Luckily honey bees are fairly low maintenance, and the reward is pretty sweet! (literally

)

 

[NanaKat]

Varreo mites and hive syndrome are your biggest culprits for hive failure.
If there is sufficient nector sources, be prepared to add additional honey boxes and be prepared for a split or swarm.
We maintain two of the big hive boxes per hive along with an extra super for just the bees. Then we install the queen separater to keep an active queen from laying eggs in the honey to be stored.

We hang medicated strips in the hive in the winter after honey harvest and then remove it before nector flow in the spring. We also feed our bees during the winter.

Enjoy...beekeeping is a pleasure. And the additional pollination benefit for your garden is priceless!

 

[Stacykins]

KBlue, yea I didn't think Russian bees were a good choice for beginners, which is why I stayed away! They may be cold hardy, which would be good for the UP of Michigan, but so are other, calmer be varieties too!

NanaKat, I definitely worry about the mites, since I know hygienic bee behavior still doesn't do much against them. I will definitely remain vigilant so if anything develops, I can catch it early enough to treat and not lose the colony.

 

[RaZ]

I'm a Michigan beekeeper. I've been doing it for more than 15 years both in my suburban backyard and helping a commercial beekeeper.

It's been a rough year for beekeepers downstate, losses were 60% according to SEMBA reports. I lost 100% at my house so I need to replace everything. I'm hoping I haven't missed the window to order bees.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Last year we said "Next spring!"
Well, it is "next spring" and still no bees I am super excited about it and can't wait! I want them NOW! But money is tight and there's just too many other things we need to put that money towards right now

But the sooner, the better. We only saw a few bees around our fruit trees this year. Not good!

 

[Carols Clucks]

My dad was a beekeeper, we just had a guy who we gave some of his old equipment to and showed him some about bees up to remove a hive from the neighbors garage.

As soon as I get a chance, I have a ton of nice photos of him removing the hive from the wall cavity

 

[MeowCluckBark]

Bee-keeping is hot this year. It's become the next fad right after backyard chickens lol. I was talking to a friend about this because she knows about my jumping into chickens. She had read an article that discussed the recent trends in sustainable living and she said she couldn't imagine having bees in her backyard without somehow getting an unhappy neighbor. I think it's really neat and had never imagined it could be done right in your own backyard. I am not going to do it personally. We have a local apiary that I love so I'll let them do the dirty work for me.

 

[JAPJRGIRL21]

We keep Italiens and really enjoy them. We just split our one hive and now have 3!! We were actually able to get a frame of honey from it already and it was sooo good!!

 

[Carols Clucks]

I took some pictures of a bee keeper removing an old hive from a garage wall

The photos are here: