Quote Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl View Post
Keeping a handful of hives is not that time consuming, since you are usually only going into the hives once every 2 weeks or so to do various things. And healthy bees can take care of themselves for long stretches of time.
The work/effort part of it is fun, and never a hassle if you enjoy your bees. In fact, it's sometimes difficult to back off and quit fussing so much with them, because working with the bees is pretty relaxing... smells so good, soothing humming effect, fun to watch them, etc. Unless of course they are having a bad hair day, in which case you are smart to leave them in peace and pick another day to do your hive chores.
And too much fussing can make them uncomfortable and they will leave to find a quieter location!

I love having our bees and I don't even take care of them, my husband does. It's just nice having that hive right there and the hum on a warm spring day is so comforting to hear!

The honey is nice of course, but personally, I'm more intersted in the wax and the pollination help. Bees are absolutely amazing creatures!