Bee Keeping

[short cut sally]

After a year of my Dad stating I should venture into bee keeping with him and finally getting my DH's approval (he swells like a wet sponge when stung by insects)- I've made it official. I'm gonna be a bee keeper! My dad came into bees accidentally 2 years ago, and his little hive built in an old barrel however momma bear and her 2 cubs devoured all the honey last summer so he lost his bees and his "hive" so to speak.
Last week I went to an apiary/supply place and came home with the bottom brood boxes and some other inside goodies to assemble to make the hives. I wanted to purchase the pre-assembled but DH said he would assemble them for me, after I stated I wanted pre assembled as I know him. There is a dead line because my bees come in May 13th and will need to be picked up that day. (maybe that will get the spark activated.) The apairy was very informational and I came home with the smoker and the bee suit.
I went on line and found an older man that used to be the local bee inspector and now runs the county honey bee association. I chatted with him for some time, and I spent 3 1/2 hours with him on Sat. while he opened his hives for the first time this year so he could show me what to look for.
I found that my bees have to be registered and then they are inspected by the county at least once a year for diseases. They want to try and catch any diseases before they spread to other hives or other bees in the area.
I was amazed at how often they should be tended to, at least every 10-14 days one should inspect them and do all the mite treatments. Treatments include ranges from harsh chemicals to almost organic methods. The chemical treatments state caustic if touched by humans, wonder what they do the bees and honey in the long run? I am going to go as "organic" as they say as can be.
The hives have to be bear and skunk proofed. That means an electric fence of some sorts, with 2 lines of wire. THe top wire has to have bacon attached as the bears will go for the bacon and when their mouths touch the "hot" bacon, they learn to stay away. No bacon, the bears will just plow thru the fence. Skunks won't come near the wire.
Extracting the honey can be done 6-10 times a year, but this year, will be mainly getting my bees established. Letting them make their own honey for wintering over. But maybe next year, if things work well for the bees, I can get some honey to have on my bread. I'm not informed on the whole gathering and bottling things of the honey but this is what I know....I was told it won't make me rich. Darn. So much for those "quick to get rich schemes"....
So, I am looking forward to this new adventure of being a bee keeper. I wanted to share my excitement with someone..does anyone else here do this venture?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I really admire your doing this.
I've started a worm bin for composting, which looks sort of like a hive. We've considered bee keeping as well, but are not 'ready' just yet. I love insects and keeping tiny creatures that produce a harvest of some sort. For me I guess it's earthworm casting fertilizer for now. Bees are definitely tempting, especially when you don't have a lot of land available.
My older daughter has a Cornell entomology degree and worked there in the honeybee dept there for a couple of years. At the time the 'colony collapse' had not become an epidemic yet, but she was working with and researching mite control.
Good luck, and keep us posted!

[OakLeaf]

How exciting!

Being a snowbird means I can't keep any kind of livestock but I just LOVE honeybees. I'm happy whenever I see them! Good luck with your hives!

[tulip]

That is wonderful! I've always wanted to keep bees. The former-DH said no way, but now that I'm on my own...maybe, just maybe, I will! GLC has bees--I'm sure she'll chime in here.

[skhill]

Bee keeping-- how cool! My Grandpa kept bees-- we grandkids got drafted to come over and help with processing the honey when he harvested. Every time I have to buy honey, I think of him... Honey from bees you've met and that you yourself strained and bottled definitely tastes better!

[ZenSojourner]

What are you doing for an extractor? I've got plans for a home made extractor and a solar wax melter thingy around here somewhere, from the old homesteading days.

[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.