Replies

Some people go with a bee space suit and others wear nothing at all. I hit the middle of the road with a hood and gloves, a long sleeve shirt and pants with rubber bands around the wrists and legs. You never forget the first time a bee flies under your clothes and you stand unmoving waiting for her to satisfy her bee curiosity and find the exit.

Mostly a bee suit is not necessary if you are keeping a couple of hives.

About the only time bees are in danger of going hungry is in the spring. I planted the pasture (about two acres) with wild flowers and we have about a dozen sugar maples so the bees are well fed.

This is undoubtedly overkill on my part but I like flowers, Evangeline and Priscilla the cows like flowers (especially chickweed) and wildflower honey is yummy.

Where they have trouble is in mono-culture areas. If you are in the middle of wheat country you might have issues. Same if you are surrounded by pretty carefully tended lawns. One of the main source of food in the spring is dandelions.

The further your bees have to travel for nectar and water the less honey they will make.

Fill up a bird bath (daily) and plant some early blooming flowers and you will be fine. If you have a linden tree they will think they went to bee heaven.