Who has BEES?

[redhen]

Could you put the hives in the woods? or do they have to have full sun?

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Quote:
Well how far would you want to have them from a swingset or front door? I have one acre, but there's stuff everywhere. And when we had them at our faucets, they didn't sting anyone, but they did create a 'no-walk' zone.

Well, honestly, I would put them as far away from the house as I could, just so they were out of the way. Go ahead and check your local laws, some dictate that bees have to be 50ft from the property line(or was it the neighbors house?) or something along those lines.

So after you find out where you can place the bees legally. Make sure that their nearest water source isn't catching your house or your neighbors in the middle.

Being a newbie on the subject, that's just a bit I've learned. Not sure how credible it is, not having experience myself.

Thanks, WK! Good idea.

 

[piecemaker]

Found out last week end we have a hive. Of coarse its not where I would put one. It is on a tree limb that hangs down about 3 feet from one of our pasture gates. Luckily it is a gate that is not used much. Very interesting to watch them. The only time I have seen bees is around one of the bee boxes
Piecemaker

 

[babalubird]

Beekissed, I'm going to watch your posts closely. I took a small bee course at one of the local beekeeper classes, but they were big into using all the poisons/fungucides for the mites, etc.

I don't have my bees yet. Had hoped this spring, but probably two springs away yet.

You must educate all of us as you progress.

Connie

 

[SamG347]

I have bees. Currently I only have 2 hives..but am adding 5 more next year and getting into Queen rearing. Beekeeping takes a lot of know how and is not a hobby that should be just jumped into. Make sure to read read read....and read some more. Finding a local beekeeping association or mentor will also help a great deal. Someone that knows what they are doing and can help you with any problems you may face. There are also several hive styles to choose from....look up the different types and see which is best for you. The Topbar hive is a great hive as it allows the bees to build natural comb and make cells the size they wont. It also only allows you exposure to just one bar of bees.....instead of like the Langstroth which exposes you to the whole hive. Though I have worked both styles of hives and have both in my apiary.

 

[Badhbh]

Redhen-
Dappled shade. Wintertime sun is good.

Love the pictures! Can you take a couple more of your top bars? I was thinking of going with those, but don't know much about them.

 

[deerman]

Have a few hives, start with bees from my dads, also got a few wild swarms.

Few facts that amazed me was ,things like nonfertile eggs hatch,but hatch all drones(males). Drones are removed from the hives every fall by the workers.
Drones dont have stingers.

 

[SamG347]

My two hives now are combo hives....they are topbars in the bottom and can be supered with Langstroth supers. The pics above are of some newish brood comb...and then looking down at the topbars when the bees came up to say hello.
Here are my two hives ready and waiting for winter.