Our Bees

[Reinbeau]

MissPrissy asked me to show our bees - I did a hive check last Sunday, it was about 48° and they were flying! Now that doesn't mean they're going to make it, unfortunately, this winter is so up and down....we've given them some food, hopefully they will. The hives at my mother's were active the other day, too, but it's a bit warmer there. Here's the shot from that Sunday:

These are the hives up in Maine - definitely nothing flying up there!

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I want to get a bee hive someday. I been wating one since 3rd grade. I am now 22 lol

 

[MissPrissy]

What do you suggest we wanna be beekeepers do to get ourselves started on a hive this spring?

 

[suenrob]

Wow!! Thats a lot of snow!!!!!!!!! Pretty in pictures, but glad I don't live there!!!!! Good luck with your project, looks interesting, thanks for sharing

 

[SeaChick]

Oh, reinbeau I am so jealous!!!! I want bees!!!!

 

[ChickenWing]

Quote:
Hi, I'm also a beekeeper. Been one for about 11 years now. There are a couple of ways to get started.

1. buy a "package" of bees. The usually come in 3lb packages. You just take them and install them into your hive. Bees tend to sell out early in winter. You need to order them ahead of time.

2. buy a "nuc" of bees. This is similar, except the nuc comes with a few frames of comb, and are a little more established. Just place these into your hive.

3. buy an established colony from a local beekeeper.

And of course you need the equipment in addition to the bees. Hive, tools, Vail. It can get a little pricey. Many of the items, such as the hive, can be made but the dimentions are critical.

The most important thing is knowledge. A google search will get you started. A good book. And a few forums like this one are invaluable.

 

[NS2A]

My dad ran bees for about 12 years, and had 150 hives at the end. So I was about 15 when he sold out, so I never REALLY appreciated it. It's been 20 years, but I miss it now. Wish I'd have appreciated it more.

You keep bees that close to the house? Wouldn't bother me, as I've been stung more times than I can count, but I'd wonder about my wife!

I don't think he ever kept his bees over the winter. I remember him saying the survival rate was low in Minnesota winters.

And for those that don't know, the raw honey from your bees is much different than that store bought stuff. I remember buying the mass produced stuff and thinking it didn't taste like my dad's honey. Figured I was just biased or it was just "in my head". Anway, a local beekeeper told me the corporate brand stuff is heated up so high - in essense pasturized, so it doesn't "sugar" on the shelf, it takes a lot of the flavor out and what your essentially getting is a glorified syrup.

 

[SpottedCrow]

My neighbour used to have 3 hives. I knew he was getting old when he got rid of them.

You could walk right up to the hives and not be bothered...

Reinbeau, at the Marshfield fair every year there's a bee exhibit. And this is coming up too.

http://norfolkbees.org/

 

[sunnysidecluckers]

That is so cool! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[SeaChick]

Miss Prissy (and anyone else interested!)

The latest Mother Earth News has an article about how to get set up in bee-keeping, with start-up costs and lists of equipment, resources, etc. It is on line here: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-02-01/Keep-Bees-Naturally.aspx

Stacey