Virginia

[vpatt]

Does anyone use top bar hives? I have been reading about them and have "Barefoot Beekeeping" ...I think that is the right name. I am really wanting to try it but I am afraid of drawing bears in. Putting electric fencing around the hive wouldn't keep them away from the coop......I have been thinking about putting them near the road.....but I bet the state sprays, don't they? Plus me and the chicks would be between the national forest and the bees and I'm guessing that's the direction the bears would come from.

 

[ApiaryandAviary]

Does anyone use top bar hives? I have been reading about them and have "Barefoot Beekeeping" ...I think that is the right name. I am really wanting to try it but I am afraid of drawing bears in. Putting electric fencing around the hive wouldn't keep them away from the coop......I have been thinking about putting them near the road.....but I bet the state sprays, don't they? Plus me and the chicks would be between the national forest and the bees and I'm guessing that's the direction the bears would come from.

I know what they are but I have not ever used them in all my years of beekeeping. Unfortunately all My elder Aunts from North Carolina have all passed away and they had way more experience than I have at my age due to my moving around. As far as the state spraying the ditches for weed contr you will have to worry about the gas, electric power and telephone workers spraying.
Not kidding here, my nc relatives were outraged when a contractor scaled the fences and sprayed down muscadine and scuppernong vines killing them and killing their bees and free ranging chickens. The goats all came down sick also. So much for moonlight honey and goats milk (oak ashes helps makes the best) soap for years to come.

I even had my hives away from the road and they still were killed off by an over zealous spraying neighbor. This year? No honey for her at Christmas!

 

[vpatt]

I'm from Tennessee......muscadine wine, lol.

Does your neighbor know what she did?

I guess I could try putting hives behind us closer to the national forest but I don't know....we could have a bear any time I guess....but I would hate to think that I was the one who attracted them. We haven't seen any for a long time, but they are around I'm sure. Even in parts of town the city uses bearproof trash containers.

 

[ApiaryandAviary]

I'm from Tennessee......muscadine wine, lol.

Does your neighbor know what she did?

I guess I could try putting hives behind us closer to the national forest but I don't know....we could have a bear any time I guess....but I would hate to think that I was the one who attracted them. We haven't seen any for a long time, but they are around I'm sure. Even in parts of town the city uses bearproof trash containers.

A chain link doggie kennel from TSC and electrocute it with a solar powered kit from TSC. And barbed wire. I thought I had taken every precaution even let neighbors know I am back to bee keeping by giving them all a jar of my honey.

 

[vpatt]

A chain link doggie kennel from TSC and electrocute it with a solar powered kit from TSC. And barbed wire. I thought I had taken every precaution even let neighbors know I am back to bee keeping by giving them all a jar of my honey.

And I used to have one of those kennels.....gave it away. Rats! That is a good idea.

 

[ApiaryandAviary]

And I used to have one of those kennels.....gave it away. Rats! That is a good idea.

Since you gave yours away,.. Maybe you could post a want ad asking others if they posibly have one they would like to clear out of their way. Really, I am forever giving something away that I nolonger have a use for AND in hopes of helping others. It may be from all those military moves with weight limits. I made sure we had a garage sale once every six months and what did not sale,.. Did not go back inside home, workshop or garage. Instead I would donate to the Salvation Army or the like. We were never overweight in any move during military or after military. Being overweight there would be a hefty fine. I mean hefty fine. There is no place in the military for overweight shipments One man's trash is another mans treasure.

 

[vpatt]

I can post on Freecycle.

 

[VA Raptor]

I like the electrified kennel idea. Didn't have bear problems at our beeyard in NoVA, but some nearby club members have had unwelcome visits.

One person used portable corrals - the electric one you take for camping with horses - and set it up around their colonies. There are also helpful threads on the Beesource forum.

But the kennel idea sounds good to me.

 

[vpatt]

I have two books "The Barefoot Beekeeper" and "Top-Bar Beekeeping". I need to read them more. I want to help promote the bees and maybe have a bit of honey for myself. I am not interested in selling. I am very interested in using no chemicals. I have been trying to be chemical free for close to a year. I cannot afford all organic food but do the best I can. I make many things now that I used to buy to avoid chemicals. Like washing my hair without shampoo. And other such things. Lol, lots of people think I'm nuts....they may not be far off. BUT I am rebuilding my immune system and have seen about half my condition clear. Sorry ....let me turn this back to chickens. Free ranged eggs are part of my plan.

 

[finnfur]

Muscadine and scuppernong wine - best cholesterol medicine ever discovered and it tastes good too.