I want bees. My husband does not want anything to do with them. I don't know anyone that keeps bees and was wondering how expensive it is to get started? I have been reading up on it some, but just decided that I wanted them a few weeks ago. I see that most people have them in their yards and such but I was thinking of putting them out in the woods or the pasture...is that a bad idea? I have read that you don't have to check on them but once every couple weeks. please comment if you know anything about bees!
We have bees but I admit to not really doing much with them. I have them more for pollination at this point than honey production so I am just letting them do their thing. It probably cost me about $110 to get started with the boxes, frames, frame gripper (which has been a good "extra" for me), hive tool, hat and veil, and smoker. I did buy a suit but it isn't really necessary and the majority of time I don't even bother to get it out. I did not buy packaged bees but captured a swarm from a friend's apricot tree.
I found if you stop by someones home that has bees...the ones I've stopped at are more than willing to talk to you about bee keeping. Call your local AG. extension and they will get you in touch with the apiary person and possibly have a local Bee association you can join...meet others and ways to order your set up or possibly "trade" with someone who has extras they are willing to part with. This is how I got my hives, honey extractor, smoker, uncapping knife... You will most likely have to start up in spring...so good to start your research now. You can keep them in the woods but always be looking for possibilities of swarms...meaning a queen cell hatched and the new queen will take half of the worker bees with her and find a new home if you are not careful to destroy queen cells as they are made... so I wouldn't say they are no or low maintenance but once you get them...that's the best way to learn...by having them.
...and when you say Pasture...do you mean in with the cows or other livestock? I would probably keep them out of that area. Facing hives south is recommended and know they make a line to thier hives and also use that run as a bathroom...so one book I had said not to face your hives toward the clothes line lest you have sticky yellow bee poo on your fresh linens...or toward your neighbors or walk ways where people could interfere with thier line or path to thier hive/home...or there could be unneccessary run ins. I had to face my hives east...so they would not go to the neighbors and behind the hives were maples and the street...I did not want people to get stung if they rode a bike or jogged by...but by facing them east toward our house...then they were forced to fly ABOVE the maple trees to go across the street to get to the alfalfa feilds. But get a couple of books out from the library and you will find these sorts of things out. Have fun with it.
Quote:thanks so much for the info. we have this one area that is fenced off- no cows in there (stubborn dad and stubborn neighbor so there is about 40 feet between fences...turning into no-man's land lol) I was thinking of putting them there. There is a creek that runs through, plenty of trees, and wildflowers. The neighbors have rowcrops on the other side and we have plenty of things. I really just don't have room in our yard with all the chickens roaming about. And it makes me nervous to haave them in the yard with the kids. I read that you want to keep a queen bee that is young, and that you might want to switch out the queen bee every year to keep the swarm from becoming too strong? Is that right? I am always one to do a TON of research before deciding somethin. I don't understand people who just jump right in to something new. Edited to say Thanks so much for refrenceing the Bee Thread on here. Have only about 50 more pages to read
Thanks for asking this. I too am thinking about getting bees in the spring. We were thinking about putting the hive by the garden and also wanted them for honey.
I would suggest a google search w/your state and 'beekeepers' hopefully you will find your state association with links to local branches/clubs. With the number of colony losses in the last few years, local clubs are more than willing to bring in new beekeepers. Our club does a series of classes starting in Jan and the newbies get a hive and woodenware in the Spring. Each one is paired w/an experienced member to serve as their mentor for the rest of the year.
Quote:I found a club about 30 miles away, so I still need to get my hubby on board, but hopefully I will be contacting them soon.
Quote:My DH has bees; don't know how much it cost when he started. The only time I've ever gotten stung was when I was roto-tilling a garden patch about 10 feet from the hives. Felt something fly into my hair and without thinking, swatted at it. The bee took offense and I abandoned the garden.
