Bee keeping

[Rawlings]

There is talk in our house of getting a bee hive! My hubby has had some experience with them but I am worried this is not a good idea. I love working in my yard and have read that some hives are territorial even when you are nowhere near their home. Yikes!

 

[RobertBrown]

Getting stung is definetly part of beekeeping. Sometimes they are agressive and sometimes not. Most of the time you can stand right next to the hive and not be bothered. Sometimes they will get you just walking past several feet away. We have three hives and I think one is more agressive than the other 2, so I surmise that some bees are cantankerous and some aren't.If they are a problem you can sell them, more and more people are getting bee hives. But you will get stung unless you live in a bee suit. That's my experience anyway. I hate getting stung.

 

[littleAudrey]

It sounds like a really cool idea to me! I have heard it said that the global bee population is decreasing so it can only be a good thing if you are looking after some bees and helping them thrive, and think about the honey! :licking: Can you not find an out of the way place to keep the hives?

 

[RobertBrown]

I have heard it said that the global bee population is decreasing so it can only be a good thing if you are looking after some bees and helping them thrive

This is very true and depending on who you ask the situation is still serious. Bees are critical to several differnt types of Agriculture. So you are helping out if you can get a hive or two.
It's a siginificant ivestment up front with hives, bees, and other equipment. There is a lot to learn and in some states you have to register your hive, (I guess the county can't pass up a chance to get tier hand in you pocket) this means regular inspections. Where I live you can not sell your honey without some kind of USDA inspection, so the only tangible return is all the honey you can eat and give away.

 

[KennyV]

Long ago when we were growing alfalfa we kept several hives an LOTS of honey bees ...
they are fun to have around, but you don't keep them in your yard.. :smile:KennyV

 

[173abn]

one of my neighbors has kept hives for yrs.He stopped me one day to show me his new Queen he just got through the post office,they ship it in a tiny cage and a hole plugged with a piece of candy.he explained that you place the cage into the hive and the workers will eat the candy and free the Queen.I thought that was really neat.I had one of his swarms take up residence in an old waterheater and told him about it and he came over and collected them using smoke.He also told me about this trachea mite that's killing them and then I saw this show on NOVA about the Honey Bees disappearing. They called it sudden hive collapse syndrome where it's a combition of several things like a virus and enviornmental factors.Kinda scarey because we rely so much on the honey bee to pollinate our produce. russ

 

[Mr.McGinty]

It would be great to help the bee population out. Unrealistic for me with the goat, who I know would try to eat them! I once read that the hive take on the characteristics of the queen so if they are moody and aggressive you can replace her and change the mood. That sounds amazing! (I would have assumed that once they have a character they would all need replacing.)

 

[KennyV]

the characteristics of the queen so if they are moody and aggressive you can replace her and change the mood.

:laughing:
I've known some gals like that... not many ...but there are some like that :biggrin::biggrin:
:smile:KennyV

 

[pebbles]

How big is your yard? Sure bees are territorial, unlike wasps once you are out of their territory they will stop chasing you. If your yard is big enough it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[pollyannasmum]

Gosh I'd love to keep bees, it sounds so interesting. I'll just bet that there is a load of health and safety rules though, especially here in the UK where there is talk of the new government repealing them....sorry, a bit of politics crept in there! :ashamed: