The Old Folks Home

[Latestarter]

Personally, were I a bee keeper close enough to you to care for them, I'd gladly place a hive or two on your property. I lost both my hives over the past winter and didn't replace them as I'm moving. Once I get re planted in TX, I'll get more bees. Not much sweeter than fresh REAL honey. Even better if you didn't have to get stung to collect it

That looks really nice SCG! I'm sure you're going to enjoy it immensely!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

We have had bees probably 4 years now and I can still tell you all the times we've been stung. The first time I was mowing the lawn about 50 feet from the hives and got stung on my hand. I don't know how or why. The second and last time I was incredibly stupid and wore crocs (the shoes with the holes in them) to tend the bees. It would have been fine had I not lifted the top box off the hive and ripped apart comb and then placed it down next to my feet, covered in angry bees. BF has been stung once, he stopped the lawn mower (stupidly) in FRONT of one of the hives while he watched them. He refuses to mow the "lower 40" now, because of that.

I have a full bee suit that I wear that includes head cover and extra sleeve protection gloves. Pants go on over boots. It's hotter than Hades in there in the summer, but well worth the protection.

Latestarter, don't feel bad, I had one hive die this summer.

 

[Latestarter]

I'm just a bit concerned about doing bees in TX as they for sure have the AHBs there. No way to avoid getting them. So it will be suit up in armor and make sure the hives are well away from people and animals.

 

[chickadoodles]

Scg your honey looks devine. I found a store near us that now carries organic honey. It is sooooo good.

Sorry you lost your bees Latestarter.


Alaskan I hope you still have a car left when the kids are done.

 

[chickadoodles]

I'm just a bit concerned about doing bees in TX as they for sure have the AHBs there. No way to avoid getting them. So it will be suit up in armor and make sure the hives are well away from people and animals.

What is AHBs?

 

[Wisher1000]

Africanized Hell Buzzies

 

[superchemicalgirl]

africanized honey bee.

I recall reading an article or watching a show on it but a group was trying to africanize their hives and was unsuccessful at getting those traits into their hives. I wouldn't worry too much about it - requeen every fall to ensure you have a properly mated girl and suit up.

I am going to try to find italians again this year. I'm going to give up on the russians. They die a lot.

 

[chickadoodles]

Thanks Wisher and Scg. Those are the killer bee's right? Scary!

I got stung on my hand 5 times by 5 red river wasps a week ago. I went to pick some ripe tomatoes and low and behold they had build a nest in my tomato plant! I told dh not to kill the bees but to remove the nest. So he went out after dark and got rid of the nest.

 

[Latestarter]

For all wasps/hornets/yellow jackets I am a strong proponent of chemical warfare. Combination of they are naturally mean, coupled with the ability to sting more than once. Far as I'm concerned, they die any time I can find their homes. I DO try to be very selective with any/all poisons where there is a chance that honey bees might be present or nearby. Just a bit concerned about the Africanized bees... not really "scared", but have to be aware and cautious and pay attention even more so once there. With my Italians I had, I got stung a time or two, but always one at a time, didn't have to worry about the hive emptying on me

I've heard that the AFBs make awesome honey in quality and quantity though, so we'll see. They're also supposed to be better at eliminating/surviving varroa destructor mites.

 

[microchick]

I have a full bee suit that I wear that includes head cover and extra sleeve protection gloves. Pants go on over boots. It's hotter than Hades in there in the summer, but well worth the protection.

Latestarter, don't feel bad, I had one hive die this summer.

You make it sound so tempting.

DH and I are both highly allergic to stings. Last year I was stung by a yellow legged wasp while checking blackberries. That was my first sting and not too bad. More or less like a big mosquito bite on my ankle.. Two months later I was stung again, while picking berries this time. My hand swelled like a cartoon balloon half way up to my elbow. My little finger turned purple and I had an excructiating headache that lasted for days. When I told the doctor about it he laid down the law in no uncertain terms. I HAD to carry an EpiPen at all times because the reaction to insect venom was cummulative and I was at high risk for anaphylaxis given my reaction to the last sting. I don't want to chance a bee sting to see how I might react to it. That doesn't stop me from enjoying honey, however and whenever I can slather it on pancakes waffles English muffins.

Lordie, I'm making myself hungry.