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Barnyard Buddies:  bee keeping  |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 15 2007 : 06:29:33 AM
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| My husband is really interested in beginning beekeeping next year and we have attended some talks and a "bee school" as well as getting to know a local guy. I wondered if you beekeepers out there have any favorite books for the beginner, or favorite websites, etc. that you'd like to share. Also. . .the big question. . .do you wear bee suits, gloves, hats/veils, shirts/coats, or just regular clothes when dealing with the critters? A lot of veterans around here seem to go bare, they say if you're going to get stung you'll get stung no matter what you have on, but as a beginner it makes me wonder why then is there such an abundance of bee suits, etc out there? Can you make your own? Any wisdom you'd like to share would be much appreciated! Thanks! |
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Hideaway Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1553 Posts
Jo
Virginia
USA
1553 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2007 : 07:18:55 AM
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Sheila,
I don't really ahve any advice for you, but kudos to your hubby for his interest in beekeeping! From what I rad lately, the honeybee hives are in peril and we need those little critters for so much more than just their honey!
Fellow farmgirl connection member Tina Michelle writes an online magazine called Small Town Living. Their most recent issue has an article about beekeeping. There are some other farmgirls here who keep bees and sell their honey so they might be able to give you more specific advice on how to get started. Good luck!
Jo
"Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!" |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2007 : 10:59:10 AM
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We are considering it as well. Both to help the bees and to help pollinate our growing micro orchard and small fruits hedge.Do any of you have any suggestions for types of bees? I was going to buy some bumblebees, because I have a real soft spot for them, and some small black Italian bees because they are supposed to be mild and good natured, but my neighbor says that Mason bees to a good job too.
Wishing you joy in small things and peace in your heart
Annika
http://dredweezul-madramblings.blogspot.com/
http://panzymoon.wordpress.com/ |
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~Tracey~
True Blue Farmgirl
351 Posts
Tracey
TN
USA
351 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2007 : 1:41:36 PM
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Hey Sheila,
We have 9 hives. My husband does wear the entire suit most of the cooler months (when they are crankier) but long pants, boots, shirt, gloves and veiled hat in the summer.
I made my younger ones some suits. Pants pattern + hooded jacket pattern (made the jacket a bit longer) and added some soft screening, that I already had. They wear boots and gloves when helping dad.
gotta run just wanted to share that tidbit.
Most of the veterans around here will go without protection, even shirtless sometimes and they get stung and don't really care. I would def. start out with a suit until you are comfortable not wearing one. Hubby bought his to start with. It was easier!
Tracey,
mama to Callum 14, Katie 9, Wil 6.5, Benjamin 4 and Andrew 18 months!!
http://hansenhootenanny.blogspot.com/ Family blog
http://eclecticcharm.blogspot.com/ crafty blog |
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OregonGal
True Blue Farmgirl
511 Posts
Chris
No. IL
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2007 : 8:43:12 PM
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I used to keep bees, but because they usually get poisoned when they spray corn around here, I gave up.
But, I always wore a veil - the face area can swell up from a sting because its just a sensitive area for stings.
Didn't mind too much getting stung anywhere else (not saying it didn't hurt, tho). But when beginning I
think that it can be a deterring factor in keeping bees....a person may quit because of getting stung alot.
So a beginner should wear protection...and yes, stings will occur, but the stinger will not go into the skin
as far and can be removed quickly, whereas when not protected the stinger will get into the body and
can hurt more - and that's my opinion. If covered, a beginner may be more confident and less likely to be
nervous and so won't drop the frames or squish bees (the bees don't like that). When more used to dealing
with the bees, less covering will most likely come with that. Make any sense? |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2007 : 7:23:42 PM
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| anybody else with any words of wisdom? |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9365 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9365 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2007 : 04:03:58 AM
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Sheila,
Did you ever receive an email from me with my address for one of the booklets you had on bees? I thought you posted and asked if anyone wanted one and I posted a reply but that was all. Thanks and good luck with the beekeeping.
Denise
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof and all that dwell therein."
www.torismimi.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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MullersLaneFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
596 Posts
Rock Falls
IL
596 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2007 : 09:20:36 AM
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I've been kept by honeybees for 4 years now. I have a severe allergic reaction when stung so I always wear long sleeved shirt tucked into long jeans tucked into rubber boots with a full bee suit over it, including veil & gloves.
Books & Magazines from Dadant I recommend:
American Bee Journal
THE CLASSROOM
The Hive and the Honeybee
FIRST LESSONS IN BEEKEEPING
and
ABC's of Beekeeping
Cyndi
Muller's Lane Farm http://www.mullerslanefarm.com
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2007 : 10:41:56 AM
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| Thanks so much for the suggestions Cyndi! |
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Barnyard Buddies: bee keeping |
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bee keeping
