Anyone beekeep?

[Crystallas]

I've been looking into keeping a small controlled box for bees, enough for just one or two queens. I really just want it for the pollination factor of the garden and the wax. When I was little, my dad had a small box and that worked out great, but I don't know what he did to get it going or if it just happened to be there when my parents bought the house.


Over time half of the local bee population has been wiped out and there was a noticeable difference with the output of the garden. Since I have no allergies, and my neighbors actually were good about me doing this, I think I should get ready ASAP, because I might be pushing it for time.

 

[X]

I don't - but I use to work w/ a guy who did, and got to know a lot of the process over time. It takes some time and effort, but overall the upkeep wasn't too bad for him (granted, he built as many things as he could for it, which i'm sure you would as well). He eventually let it go after a cpl of years, saying that the time commitment interfered with other life duties and hobbies... :shrug:

 

[Scoot26]

I've noticed there seems to be less and less bees out there over the years. They got me bad a lot as a kid, so I actually enjoyed them being gone, but I also realize how bad that is for the environment. In any case, I don't do anything with bees and since I live in a townhouse, I doubt that I can.

 

[Crystallas]

http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Traditional-8-Frame-Bee-Ginners-Kit/productinfo/252PT/

This is what I wanted to order by saturday.

 

[Crystallas]

Yeah, the ecology-minded person in me really wanted to jump in. I don't have a massive property, but I have enough space to cover 5 full combs according to a few sites that I have seen. Plus, from what I understand, the more aggressive varieties aren't expected to swarm through our zones for a few years(meaning, we have some chance to counter balance the local population).

For me, a bee sting is like an extra annoying mosquito bite. It's not going to send me to the hospital to get 10 stings or so in a short period of time. I live in a rural suburb with city 7 miles to my east and farms 7 miles to my west, making things like bees something that is expected in the area. But out of precaution, I made sure I talked with my neighbors, told them the same things as we all know about the decline, and not a single one of them was against it.

 

[X]

Yeah, the ecology-minded person in me really wanted to jump in. I don't have a massive property, but I have enough space to cover 5 full combs according to a few sites that I have seen. Plus, from what I understand, the more aggressive varieties aren't expected to swarm through our zones for a few years(meaning, we have some chance to counter balance the local population).

For me, a bee sting is like an extra annoying mosquito bite. It's not going to send me to the hospital to get 10 stings or so in a short period of time. I live in a rural suburb with city 7 miles to my east and farms 7 miles to my west, making things like bees something that is expected in the area. But out of precaution, I made sure I talked with my neighbors, told them the same things as we all know about the decline, and not a single one of them was against it.

From what I know - they don't actually take a whole lot of room up. I don't know anything about your surrounding area, but if you plant them relatively close to overgrown brush (typically poorly-manicured properties) you can put up 5 comb boxes in a 20x4 area close to them. They'll go to the brush to find there flowers, and generally stay in the same kind of area. But again, my 'experience' is uber-limited.

 

[Crystallas]

From what I know - they don't actually take a whole lot of room up. I don't know anything about your surrounding area, but if you plant them relatively close to overgrown brush (typically poorly-manicured properties) you can put up 5 comb boxes in a 20x4 area close to them. They'll go to the brush to find there flowers, and generally stay in the same kind of area. But again, my 'experience' is uber-limited.

Hey thanks. Was didn't even factor in brush height. That should be a wise piece of advice. Hmmm, to the webmobile for ideas!

 

[X]

Hey thanks. Was didn't even factor in brush height. That should be a wise piece of advice. Hmmm, to the webmobile for ideas!

Yeah, it primarily saved my guy some time as much as anything else. If you want to sort of isolate the area they move around in and don't have any brush anywhere on the property, google some low/no-maintenance flowers that bees like, and plant a handful there. I get the feeling you're not terribly concerned w/ keeping the area isolated...but with nieces and nephews as I believe you have, it might be a good idea to do what you can to try to keep them contained. They'll stray, regardless, but it'll help to have most of the resources they'll need close by, imo.

 

[Crystallas]

I think the youngins in the family will fall in love with a hive, when they get to eat some super fresh honey. Kids and their sugar fix! (As said R.J. Reynolds to his kids as he introduced them to Joe Camel) MUAHAHAHAHAHA :evil:

 

[HeHateMe]

do you have a sufficient water feature nearby where you'll be keeping them?

 

[Crystallas]

do you have a sufficient water feature nearby where you'll be keeping them?

Yeah, there is a good sized pond about 25 feet from where I wanted to place them.

 

[Crystallas]

Well, you need to register with the county to keep bees before April(Federal law). Blah, live and learn. If I don't blow it off, I'll do it for next year, I suppose.

 

[HeHateMe]

Did you ever end up getting this going?

 

[Hbkrusso]

crossed my mind a time or two to give this a shot myself. how did it work out and or what was the maintenance like?

 

[Crystallas]

Did you ever end up getting this going?

Nope. I was denied a permit and got no explanation. Also was threatened not to pursue it without a permit, because they would destroy the bees. Again, this is regulated federally, not locally, so if you do beekeep without a permit, then don't bring any attention onto yourself.

 

[CRM 114]

Beekeeping is probably the last thing I'd ever do.

 

[1COBearsfan]

Anyone interested in a beehive should check this out

http://www.honeyflow.com

I'm very interested in keeping a beehive and will seriously consider this option. Much easier than a traditional hive and much less stress on the hive

 

[Unannounced Fart]

I get a little sad whenever I see dead bees. It seems like I'm seeing more and more dead bees with each passing day, at least in the city. It's weird, I just see random dead bees on the sidewalk, parking lots, etc.

 

[1COBearsfan]

That's not a random problem. There are entire hives that are dying off and it's about to be a real and dangerous problem.

 

[Ares]

That's not a random problem. There are entire hives that are dying off and it's about to be a real and dangerous problem.

They keep trying to get in to my house, wtf do you want me to do?