Who keeps bees on BYC?

[BarredBuff]

Who keeps bees on BYC?

 

[SamG347]

 

[thebritt]

My step-son and his wife set up 2 hives (wife took a bee-keeping class) on our property. 1 hive failed, or they left...the other one is active right now (it's almost 70 degrees out). Unfortunately, the humans seem to have lost interest. I may be asking for advice soon!

 

[BarredBuff]

Quote:
I am all ears

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Here's threads with a bunch of beekeepers on them.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=276939

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=112119

 

[SunnyDawn]

I don't have bees currently but have been researching it for the future (when I get some acreage) so I'll stay tuned to this post for more info.
I am interested in feral bees that are hardier and have adapted to the areas they are in better. I do plan on getting some mason bees for my garden and fruit trees in a couple of weeks, how do they interact with honey bees? Do I just need to keep them 600' apart or should I take other precautions? Haven't come across any info on this in the books I've read. Thanks.

 

[sgtmom52]

I keep bees too. I have 5 hives right now with more coming in the spring....

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
I've gone to great length to be sure I have lots of flowering native plants/shrubs/trees to attract and maintain pops of native bees, and it seems to be working. It's these domestic bees I'm not sure what to do with. The remaining hive seems to be thriving w/out any help from me, but I hear they'll swarm (leave) if things aren't just right, or they overpopulate their hive. I wonder if they'll just move next door to the vacant hive? Or maybe there's something wrong with the 2nd one?

 

[sgtmom52]

Quote:
If the hive does swarm, the old queen leaves with about half of the bees. The remaining bees will raise a new queen to take over the hive. This is natural and should not be discouraged. The swarm may move into the empty hive or may find another place to settle. You can encourage them to move into the hive by making sure it is clean (no mice, wasps, etc) and putting a "swarm lure" in the empty hive. This is usually a small vial of "lemony scented" liquid that is commercially available.

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
If the hive does swarm, the old queen leaves with about half of the bees. The remaining bees will raise a new queen to take over the hive. This is natural and should not be discouraged. The swarm may move into the empty hive or may find another place to settle. You can encourage them to move into the hive by making sure it is clean (no mice, wasps, etc) and putting a "swarm lure" in the empty hive. This is usually a small vial of "lemony scented" liquid that is commercially available.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g46/sgtmom52/Beekeeping/hivewithbeesanimated.gif

Thanks for the info!