Bee Keeping

[sfa]

That's so cool! I've been interested in beekeeping for years (and DH would love for me to do this since he makes mead and is always looking for sources of honey) but have never taken the plunge.

I'm looking forward to your updates!

Sarah

[aly]

I'm so impressed that you're doing this! There was a short segment on NPR a few days ago that was about beekeeping, but I just learned so much more from your post. It sounds so interesting. Maybe I can talk my SO into this since he rejected my chicken plan. I've only managed to get him onboard with composting and gardening thus far. It's tough because we have lots of pets and a smallish yard. Does it end up being very expensive?

Please keep us all updated.

[GLC1968]

Tulip is right, we have bees. It's my husband's project, so he's the real expert in the family, but so far so good. We have Italian bees since we don't have much space and we knew we'd be working in close proximity with them quite a bit. Italian bees are supposed to be very docile.

We picked up our bees about a month ago and they are doing a great job of getting the hive established. My husband opens it and checks on their progress once a week and they are doing really well.

We set our hive up in the middle of our 'mini' orchard and they seem quite happy there. We don't have issues with bears, and I've not heard that skunks would be a problem (we do have two dogs and about 4 cats in the immediate area, so varmits are rarely an issue for us).

Out of all of our live creatures so far, the bees are the easiest (even moreso than the worms which caused us fruit fly issues in the beginning).

[Biciclista]

I have a friend who does bees in Arkansas. There is a small but growing group of organic beekeepers, and from what i am hearing, if you follow their methods
a lot of the problems plaguing bees will not plague yours. Google "Bush Bees"
and you will find a wealth of information.
(this has nothing to do with presidents who coincidentially share that name)

[GLC1968]

Oh yeah, and we are aiming for 100% organic in our beekeeping, too. We won't certify because it's for our own use only, but that's how we operate (no chemical inputs if at all possible) for all of our 'farming'.

Mimi is right - there is quite a large movement towards natural beekeeping, particularly for the small backyard keeper. The 'backwards beekeepers' in CA have a great blog: http://beehuman.blogspot.com/ if you want to read more about it...

[badger]

oh, I'm so envious!

A short while ago I met someone who was trying to get a beekeeping apprenticeship program up and running in B.C. He told me he'll keep me updated.

I've always idealized beekeeping and hope that one day I'll get enough courage to leave my work to do something like that.

Good luck!!

[short cut sally]

Thanks for all the great replies so far and your enthusiasm.
Like GLC, I have ordered Italian Bees. They had last years prices up but a box of bees I think will cost me about 80.00. But, when I pick them up I'm sure as with anything, the price will be different.
To answer Aly's question, I've purchased so far, 2 brood boxes, a bottom tray, and 20 liner majobbie things that the bees will attach their combs to for establishing their broods and pollen storage, a lid, a feeder tray for early spring, a smoker, a half bee suit vs. the full bee suit, and a beginers bee book that went into detail about all the diseases and mites..(the mites control just makes my head spin )so far, all that stuff was a few dollars short of 300.00. I still have to get some "honey supers" as they are called for the honey comb itself. I have yet to get a battery and fencer unit and fence and posts for the wire. I have to get paint for the boxes. So in addition to the bees, I have more expense yet. ANd we shouldn't forget about that slab of bacon that needs to be applied to the wire..
To answer Zrnsojourners question, extracting??? HHMMMM....I was told that there may be a 50/50 I will get honey this year. This year was to mainly get the brood established and get them ready for winter. If they filled both brood boxes complete then I could think about honey this fall, but only if they filled. If not then I might have to feed them over the winter with a dried sugar block--which is different than the liquid feeder I purchased for initial set up. I looked at the extractor that was a hand cranked one that spun the racks of honey, but I think that came with a small price tag. I knew I was getting a small sum racked up so I stopped shopping but just listened to what the apiary had to offer. Maybe I will rig something up or do what my grandpa did, just cut the combs of honey off the rack and flop it on a plate..He only did comb honey but I am sure I can figure out something really cheap, even if I just drain it over a pan or something..
The bee man I went with, he scrapes the racks for the extra wax, keeps that and melts it all down in a solar wax melter and does stuff with it. Then the bees make this stuff called propolin- a sealant of sort made from saps of pine trees or anything sticky, and they make seals in leaky areas. He scrapes that and gives that to his friend who sells it.." there's money in that stuff" I was told, its made into salves or something.
I still got lots to absorb before my bees arrive, my DH thinks my hobby is getting very involved..but once you learn the ropes, it shouldn't be so complicated. I go to my first honey bee association meeting in May, they are held once a month and are filled with guest speakers from Cornell extension and other local keepers. I had no idea that it was so involved..I just remember my grandpa going to the field, opening the lid, getting the honey and going back home and putting the rack of comb on a plate, then having bread with honey spread on it..oh to relive that time again...
I will keep you all posted..and I may be asking GlC for advice too so be prepared...and all of your opinions too...thanks again

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Shelly can we have an update on your bee hive progress? I am very interested!