| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Aug 19 2008 : 6:32:03 PM
I had a friend growing up who raised honey bees in her garage. What I've been reading online says that's not a good place. Hmmmmm she had them at least 30 years in her garage in the city with out any known problems that I know of. She was a neighbor of mine, and always took a sampling of her bees (in this glass thing with honeycomb and bees inside) for the state fair each year.
Any way.......Does any one here raise them? And is it hard? Do you like it?
I just want one colony, just enough for my own family, I'm not looking at really making money with it. It would be nice if I could sell just enough to make back the money I will have to initially invest to have them. But, other then that, I really don't care about making any money with them. Just having them and having fresh honey for my own family would be enough for me.
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| HoneyAcresFarm |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 8:10:22 PM
We are planning on getting a couple of hives this year - my father-in-law had lots of bee hives through the years but the last several years of his life, he did not. One piece of information I will pass on from his is that he always clipped the queen's wings so she would not leave the hive; consequently, the bees never left. He raised bees from the time he was a teenager until he was in his 70's. We had a fire on the farm (burned the pastures, the barn, and trees but not the house) and the hives were destroyed. At that time, he elected not to get any new hives. He was a wealth of bee knowledge; unfortunately, he passed away 3 years ago this May so we do not have him to go to for bee advise. I just thought this might help some of the people who said their bees would leave the hives. |
| windypines |
Posted - Feb 14 2011 : 2:23:27 PM
Sue it will be an adventure, the bees are so interesting, and amazing. Have fun.
I have an online mentor. He has been very helpful, and can't thank him enough. My bees are still alive. I hope they make it the rest of the winter. I hope to make a split this spring, if all goes well. Like Jennifer said, it is addictive.
Michele |
| Vintage Sue |
Posted - Feb 13 2011 : 5:13:45 PM
We joined the local bee club and have signed up for the beginning beekeeping class which starts next week. Hive is put together and painted, bees have already been order and we expect delivery something in April I think. Let the adventure begin!!
"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun" - Katharine Hepburn
www.mymotherspearls.me |
| DyaLynn53 |
Posted - Feb 11 2011 : 08:48:35 AM
Hello, so glad to have found this forum as I too want to start keeping bees so I am looking for a beekeeping mentor. There is a "Think Local" agriculture group in town so I think I will contact them today and see if they have any local beekeeping contacts. I know that there is a state group and I've heard of beekeeping classes a couple hours south of where I live but traveling that far wouldn't be overly practical for me.
I love honeybees and bumblebees, which are on the decline here as well I hear. Y'all might think I'm odd but when I was a little girl I loved to follow the bees from flower to flower in the fields; they are lovely little beings. I try to plant whatever I can to attract them and help them. I consider my garden a "bee sanctuary" and it will always be a work in progress.
Farmgirl Sister #682
"Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint on it you can." Danny Kaye |
| Woodswoman |
Posted - Feb 05 2011 : 4:16:49 PM
Hello! This spring will be my 4th year of keeping bees. Warning: It's addictive!  I started with 2, now I run about 5-7, depending on how they are doing. Three of my strongest hives are swarms we captured.
My best advice is to join a beeclub and talk to people, and read ALOT. Taking some classes or workshops if they are available is a good idea also.
Good luck!
Jennifer
Farmgirl Sister #104
"Nature brings to every time and season some beauties of its own".
-Charles Dickens |
| Vintage Sue |
Posted - Feb 05 2011 : 11:47:46 AM
Hubby is down in the basement putting together hives! We get our first batch of bees in a few months. I am really excited. Next Tuesday is Bee Club, and then we start the beginner's beekeeping class later this month. It's funny, but hubby hasn't yet told my mom (who has 5 or 6 hives down in VA) that he has finally been "stung" by the beekeeping bug. I guess he's keeping it as a surprise. I know it will take a season or two for us to be able to harvest honey, but I have to say that I am looking forward to being a much more active participant in my mom's booth at the Sky Meadows State Park Bee Day demonstration come August!
I'm looking forward to this new adventure and just had to share!
Hugs to all,
Sue
"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun" - Katharine Hepburn
www.mymotherspearls.me |
| windypines |
Posted - Jan 30 2011 : 4:02:33 PM
I hear ya, waiting for spring! I was worried cause I removed the reducer, and looked inside, and it seemed as if there were dead bees piled up to the bottom of the frames. I did scrap out some with my pocket knife. Gosh it was alot, and still left alot in there. But hoping they are going to make it through the rest of winter.
Michele |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Jan 30 2011 : 09:11:35 AM
Some of the bees are bound to die over winter, so you will see bees at the bottom board. Since workers tend to live an average of 6 weeks, and winter tends to run 2-3 months, the dead bees are inevitable. And of course, the cold can affect a few. Hearing the bees is a good sign, though.
Now if only the winter will finish up, already 
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| windypines |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 1:42:46 PM
Krystle my hive was right next to my small garden, and a 5 acre new clover seeding(hayfield). The girls never bothered me or anyone else. I also have a sheep yard right next to them too.
Your name looks about like my sisters, Kristel. :)
I would be putting my name in for bee orders now, to get on the list before they sell out. I heard buzzin in my hive. 100% sure ! I did have alot of dead ones on the bottom board of my hive though. I am a little worried. I know it was a very strong hive going in to winter.
Michele |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Jan 27 2011 : 07:11:28 AM
Michele: duly noted on ordering the bees, thanks a million! The spot I was thinking of putting the bees is about 50 yards (at the most) from the house and I didn't know if that was too close or not. It is also near my garden!
~We can make the world a better place for our kids and future generations by what we do today!~ |
| windypines |
Posted - Jan 26 2011 : 8:35:51 PM
My hive is maybe 30 feet from the house, if that. It is great to see them out working in the yard.
Don't tell anyone, but I always would talk to them! :) I talk to all my animals!
Also the earlier the better to put your order in for bees
Michele |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Jan 25 2011 : 11:46:04 PM
Hey everyone. There was another thread like this awhile back...hmm, I'll have to look it up...
I'm a third generation keeper going into the third year. Honeybees are wonderful, there is a lot to learn, but I find they work best (both the colonies, AND for the keeper) if you work in "natural" beekeeping, instead of doing too much pesticide and bothering them.
We now have 7 hives wrapped up for the winter! And yes, this is AN URBAN area. you can see more: http://bronxbees.blogspot.com
Also, my best guess on the garage is that condensation can form if the garage is too cold outside, too airtight inside. If it's cold and the condensation gets on the bees, they can chill. Variously, however, people have kept bees inside cotes (like dovecotes) and within boxes, for winters...this is historically documented. But for the most part, experts recommend open air around the hives.
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| CasieD |
Posted - Jan 25 2011 : 4:55:49 PM
Michele, thanks for the info on where to get started! Owen isn't too far from me so I might have to check them out.
Casie
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| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Jan 25 2011 : 07:50:33 AM
Michele: thanks for the leads I will check them out! I had no idea I could get bees here in WI! How far away did you end up putting your hive from your house?
~We can make the world a better place for our kids and future generations by what we do today!~ |
| windypines |
Posted - Jan 25 2011 : 05:19:41 AM
Hi future bee keepers! :) I just started my hive last spring. While it is kind of scary starting out on a new adventure, it is not rocket science! My online mentor told me that. I did alot of reading, which got to be confusing. There are so many differnt opinions that you can get lost. I have one hive, 8 frame medium boxes, no foundation, and a drug free zone. Keeping my fingers crossed they will make it though the winter. Check out the beesource forums, take information with a grain of salt, and do what you think makes sense to you. Micheal Bush website does natural beekeeping. I got my bees from Honey Glow farm in Owen Wi. They have a wonderful little store there too, selling all the supplies. Mann Lake is where I got some of my equipement. They ship with speedee, to WI, and the prices were great. We built alot of our boxes, though my husband thought it is easier to buy. I have a modified version of the Lang. hive boxes. Got those ideas from my mentor. I think the web site was bee works, in Canada, DE Hive is what it is called. Also got a hive cozy for winter, hoping to help the bees make it. I learned that bees are so fantastic, they just amaze me. And if mine make it though, I hope to split the hive this spring. I thought one hive would be enough, but........thinking two would be better!
Michele |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 8:23:53 PM
Thanks! It was really interesting and I hope he keeps blogging updates. Even after all my research so far this is the first time I heard about natural bee keeping. This is something I would like to find more info on. The more organic and natural the better!
~We can make the world a better place for our kids and future generations by what we do today!~ |
| urbangirl11 |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 7:39:55 PM
I want to have a hive of my own, but until then, I read about other people's experiences. I'm not sure if either of you saw this, but Mother Earth News has recently featured a new blog about one man's bee-keeping techniques. He gets his bees from natural colonies, usually by rescuing them from public space before they were sprayed. Its a pretty interesting read and he lists some great places to start for more information.
Here's the link to the blog:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/honeybees-and-beekeeping/saving-the-honeybees.aspx
I just wanted to be clear that I'm not soliciting for his project (thought I personally think its a great one). I just thought it was interesting and figured someone else would too.
Erin |
| CasieD |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 08:59:14 AM
Krystle,
Hi there! Sorry I don't have any bee advice, but I'm in the same boat as you. I'd love to get a hive started here for our own honey! I'll be watching this topic for advice as well.
Also... glad to see another Wisconsin girl here!
Anyone have experience with top bar hives?
Casie
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| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 08:32:34 AM
The main big "new" project I want to have this summer is getting a bee hive. I never had bees before and I have been doing some reading in books and doing research online but it seems like everyone in my research has different opinions and it is all so confusing. I just want my own honey even if it is a lot of work, everything worth having is worth working for! What is the cheaper catalogs to get supplies from, and there a so many different places to get bees from. Does anyone have suggestions where I should get bees from? Also, can I even get American honeybees or are the bees that these difference places are selling from different places? Does it matter if they aren't American honeybees? These are a few of the questions I had that research couldn't tell me. Thanks!
~We can make the world a better place for our kids and future generations by what we do today!~ |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 03 2008 : 3:12:40 PM
I will have to look for that TV program Alee.
Um Alee, my friend did it in a VERY urban neighborhood, and I don't think any one knew! She just put a hole in her garage door for them, has had them for decades!
But, my reading says that the garage is not a good place for them. Which is odd since it's been working for decades for her. lol haha
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| chickabella |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 04:50:58 AM
So envious of you ladies who have hives! It's going to be another year or two before we can get ours!
 Farm blog: http://farmnatters.blogspot.com
Heart of Texas Farmgirls Chapter; Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #275
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| Alee |
Posted - Aug 30 2008 : 7:17:54 PM
I have been watching a bee keeping program on RFDTV. It looks amazing! I hope to have bees when we get our own land. I have a feeling our neighbors would be less than thrilled if we tried to set up bee keeping in town.
The program mentioned that most hives bought in the United States are actually Italian Honeybees! I would have never guessed!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
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| Georgiann |
Posted - Aug 30 2008 : 6:31:04 PM
I needed one class to finish my ag degree in college, and picked beekeeping because I thought it would be easy -- was I wrong! It takes a lot of work to get a hive up and running, and keep it healthy. Reading these posts makes me long for a hive again -- good luck to you!
Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart |
| Woodswoman |
Posted - Aug 30 2008 : 5:20:13 PM
I just started beekeeping this past spring-and I am really enjoying it.
It was recommended to us that we start with two hives-if one doesn't do well, you have another for backup or to combine hives with. Also, some common problems can be easily fixed if you have two hives to exchange frames between-such as laying workers.
Now, we have three hives. A friend who is a principal at the high school down the road called and said there was a swarm on a trellis there that the custodians were going to spray unless we had a better idea. So, we collected them and brought them home! Now it is one of our strongest hives.
Good luck!
Jennifer
Farmgirl Sister #104
"Nature brings to every time and season some beauties of its own".
-Charles Dickens |
| SheilaC |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 10:40:19 AM
We are loving it too! We probably won't get any honey this year, because we got our bees a little late (our first ordered bunch were in a truck wreck en route from CA to OH), but we're really enjoying seeing them and learning about them. The kiddos really think they're interesting too, and love to see "our" honeybees buzzing around. |
