Maine

[superchemicalgirl]

Have fun.

I learned a great deal when I took a class about three years ago. Although no amount of classroom time really prepares you for installing your first hive. You learn how to do it but the fun starts when you have a few thousand bees buzzing around while you try and remember exactly how to get them into their new home. Thank goodness the bees know what to do. Otherwise they would be doomed.

We'll see how it goes. I'm actually terrified of bees (and spiders, with snakes being a distant third) when they fly around me but I love to watch them calm and cool in blooms. Hopefully my "armor" will give me the confidence boost I need not to run screaming from the hive. BF hates stinging insects and has already told me he won't let me into the house if I'm running with them in hot pursuit. I'm on my own. He did say he'd build the hives though... I still haven't hit his tipping point where he realizes I'm not worth the effort...

I have a bunch of paper nest wasps that build homes all over my property... and house... and the inside of the plow is covered in cells...

I know it's wishful thinking but I'm hoping the wasps don't bother the bees... or the bees drive the wasps away, but I doubt it.

 

[Widget]

We'll see how it goes. I'm actually terrified of bees (and spiders, with snakes being a distant third) when they fly around me but I love to watch them calm and cool in blooms. Hopefully my "armor" will give me the confidence boost I need not to run screaming from the hive. BF hates stinging insects and has already told me he won't let me into the house if I'm running with them in hot pursuit. I'm on my own. He did say he'd build the hives though... I still haven't hit his tipping point where he realizes I'm not worth the effort...

I have a bunch of paper nest wasps that build homes all over my property... and house... and the inside of the plow is covered in cells...

I know it's wishful thinking but I'm hoping the wasps don't bother the bees... or the bees drive the wasps away, but I doubt it.

Good news is they don't tend to chase you. Maybe for a few feet but once you are away from the hive you are no longer a threat. As for protection the only thing I tend to wear is the hat and veil. You really don't need the suit. Or gloves. In fact with gloves you can't really feel what you are doing and will harm more bees that way. Harmed bees give off pheromones that tell the other bees to defend the hive.

Building the hives is really easy. Painting them takes the most time. Any color will do so I just buy the Oops paint from HD or Lowes. Around here darker colors are better. One since people tend to think white=bee hive but not other colors. So vandals are as tempted to knock them over. And since our weather is cooler than say down south the darker colors help to keep the hives warmer year round.

And some wasps will bother honey bees. They are the predators of the insect world. It all depends on the species and how close they are to the hive.

 

[Keric]

We'll see how it goes. I'm actually terrified of bees (and spiders, with snakes being a distant third) when they fly around me but I love to watch them calm and cool in blooms. Hopefully my "armor" will give me the confidence boost I need not to run screaming from the hive. BF hates stinging insects and has already told me he won't let me into the house if I'm running with them in hot pursuit. I'm on my own. He did say he'd build the hives though... I still haven't hit his tipping point where he realizes I'm not worth the effort...

I have a bunch of paper nest wasps that build homes all over my property... and house... and the inside of the plow is covered in cells...

I know it's wishful thinking but I'm hoping the wasps don't bother the bees... or the bees drive the wasps away, but I doubt it.

I am also a new beekeeper,third year. First hive died on second winter (my fault) and the second hive produced honey this fall.

I don't open our hive without a full bee suit. You are right on when you call it armor because they can't get you and let's you see them easily but it is a little awkward with the large veil and helmet. Good gloves help in being nimble. I know someone that goes in with out hardly any protection but not me. The best way to start is get a split hive in the spring from a local beekeeper. It is expensive. 80 bucks maybe?

 

[hoppy]

glad to know it's inside but I am willing to bet it won't have a big turnout.
it's just too early up here.

I stopped in the store today. Saw the sign for the swap back in the feed area. It said "Small Animal Farm Swap" Sat 10-2...... INDOORS!!!

I asked the girl at the register about it...where they would set this up in the store. She didn't know. I told her that I thought the swaps would start in April.

She said this one was set up by "Corporate" and that the home office has no idea what the weather is like here.

 

[buckabucka]

I love seeing all the photos! eagle, goats, pigs, pens, etc. I don't think I'm ready to branch out into other non-chicken animals, but it does seem intriguing.

I am actually excited about the possibility of snow. Right now, I can't ski or snowshoe on our trails, although I have been enjoying just walking around and viewing the ice on the stream.
My only regret about the impending snow is that a friend in Benton just sent a photo of 15 mile stream behind his house, and it is absolutely perfect smooth-as-glass skating! I am always at school too late to rush over there and try to skate in the afternoon, and by the weekend, it will be gone. :/. DH may try to make it there tomorrow. This is the first year in many that we have not skated at all.

 

[lazy gardener]

And in case you were still on the fence about goats:





How can you not want any of these adorable creatures?

Stop it allready with the cute goat pictures!!! If I won the lottery, I'd be a gentle(wo)man farmer. Goats would by my lawnmowers!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Stop it allready with the cute goat pictures!!! If I won the lottery, I'd be a gentle(wo)man farmer. Goats would by my lawnmowers!

Sheep mow lawns. Goats will mow trees and bushes.

 

[Gallina Sarda]

That is a VERY important distinction! I would be so not pleased if my magnolia just up and disappeared because of a hungry goat... Goat dinner, anyone?

 

[Gallina Sarda]

They are so frikkin' cute though!

 

[CoopChick719]

THanks to everyone who chimed in about the goats! I'll show DH what everyone says and maybe that will change his mind. He's not opposed, he just thinks we can't do it here....we have 3 acres of lawn, so I don't know what his problem is! Less mowing would be nice! I'd love to have bees here too...but I suppose I need to do one thing at a time

Yeah really...what is his problem, anyway?!

This was in a tree across from my house today....I hope it was not hungry for chickens!!

Ooo..beautiful but kinda scary to think he was doing recon on your coop!

And in case you were still on the fence about goats:





How can you not want any of these adorable creatures?

OMG...too cute goats!!

Stop it allready with the cute goat pictures!!! If I won the lottery, I'd be a gentle(wo)man farmer. Goats would by my lawnmowers!

Oh yes, LazyG, if I won the lottery we'd have a lot more animals!