Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Bees - Anyone a beekeeper?

Posted on 03/23/2019 10:57:03 AM PDT by Dacula

Looking to see if any FReepers are Beekeepers. Any tips and hints for a successful hive would be appreicaited.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Education; Food; Gardening
KEYWORDS: beekeeping; bees; hives
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-86 next last
To: Openurmind

I was gonna say, if you wait long enough the bees will find you!


21 posted on 03/23/2019 11:32:44 AM PDT by BradyLS (ODO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind

When/if they swarm, they always leave behind a fertile queen and about a third of the hives bees. If its established it will take intervention of some kind to get them to leave.

To get them to move into a hive box enmass can be done but involves tricking Mother Nature (rarely successful and entails risk.)

Yep. Your a bee keeper.


22 posted on 03/23/2019 11:33:48 AM PDT by Delta 21
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: yarddog

I thought a few years ago about keeping bees; we have a farm, and I’m worried about the declining bee population around here. I bought a couple books, which are quite good and informative, watched you-tube videos, but the best source I found for good, geographically relevant info was the facebook groups of bee-keepers! There are literally hundreds, you’ll find many new friends in your climate zone, and they are really GREAT friendly, helpful folks. They LOVE helping you get started.


23 posted on 03/23/2019 11:35:21 AM PDT by Segovia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Dacula

Wear white socks.


24 posted on 03/23/2019 11:36:22 AM PDT by Palio di Siena
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dacula

Been keeping bees for 14 years, with a peak of 9 hives at one point. With the loss of my last one last fall, I’m taking a “sabbatical” this year.

Gotta keep up with the Varroa. Research all the methods, and pick a few.


25 posted on 03/23/2019 11:36:33 AM PDT by C210N (You can vote your way into Socialism; but, you have to shoot your way out of it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MNDude

I always have a fresh can of bee spray around my house. I had a friend who was swarmed while mowing his lawn on a yard tractor. Killed him.


26 posted on 03/23/2019 11:37:22 AM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Palio di Siena

Wear light clothing. Anything on the dark side, and the honeybees suspect your are a bear.


27 posted on 03/23/2019 11:37:45 AM PDT by C210N (You can vote your way into Socialism; but, you have to shoot your way out of it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind

....and if the hive has been there for several years there is a YUGE store of honey in there. If the bees leave and dont maintain the honeycomb, it will eventually collapse and fall and the honey will ooze everywhere below the hive. Best to keep them flourishing and keep the ‘mess to a minimum. You dont want a coupla hundred pounds of honey leaking from the abandoned hive.


28 posted on 03/23/2019 11:38:24 AM PDT by Delta 21
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Delta 21
To get them to move into a hive box enmass can be done but involves tricking Mother Nature (rarely successful and entails risk.)

You can get some swarm lure honeybee attractant

29 posted on 03/23/2019 11:40:45 AM PDT by C210N (You can vote your way into Socialism; but, you have to shoot your way out of it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind; miele man
Openurmind :" I can’t because I’m allergic to them.
And I don’t want to kill them. Bees are good critters. lol "

Contact your Co-Operative Extension office,
as they generally have a list of bee keepers who look for wild hives
especially they are valuable to a bee keeper in the Spring !
Alternative sources : Farm Bureau, or Farm supply store, or local Agriculture college.
Most people don't know the difference between : honey bees, wasps, hornets, or ground bees.

30 posted on 03/23/2019 11:43:42 AM PDT by Tilted Irish Kilt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Delta 21

I had 2 successful hives for a few years in the early 2000’s. I had two different varroa treatments (strips) that I rotated, one in early spring and one in the fall. Seemed to work fine. When I went back to work in 2007, they did not get enough attention and they faded out after a couple of years. Since then, I have tried twice to start new hives, but they did not last. I think the varroa has gotten much worse. I might try again next year with all new equipment. I heard oxalic acid is the new treatment of choice.


31 posted on 03/23/2019 11:47:12 AM PDT by beef (Caution: Potential Sarcasm - Process Accordingly)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Dacula

I just got my hive for this year on Tuesday and I am confident that I have at least two Queens. The one that came with the Nuc was still in her box and I have 6+ frames filled with comb.

I wish I could share the pictures with you. They are amazing.

This is the start of my third year.


32 posted on 03/23/2019 11:49:51 AM PDT by Dacula (Be a better today than you were yesterday and an even better person tomorrow.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dacula

Don’t mow the pasture until you have an alternate source for nectar ready to go. Bees know how to move the hive.


33 posted on 03/23/2019 11:50:09 AM PDT by centurion316
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Delta 21

My county won’t help do nothing except harass you with code enforcement. Probably come write me a ticket for having bees without a permit or something. lol

I had someone lined up several times to come relocate them but they never followed through. I keep hoping they will swarm someday and move on to another location.

Someone told me that if I build a hive box and park it close they might move into it on their own at some point. Then they would be easier to move.


34 posted on 03/23/2019 11:52:25 AM PDT by Openurmind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: C210N

I tired last year to install a new package in a hive that I put a lure in several years ago. It never attracted a swarm so I forgot all about it. The moment they got the queen out, they absconded.


35 posted on 03/23/2019 11:53:59 AM PDT by beef (Caution: Potential Sarcasm - Process Accordingly)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Puppage

Where do you live? There should be a local beekeepers assn near you, who would be happy to guide you step-by-step in getting into it. Here in Pennsylvania many of the counties have a beekeepers assn. I’m in York County. I recently read and saw photos of hives that came from Slovenia, that are really catching on here. The design is better for the bees and handier for the keeper. Good luck.


36 posted on 03/23/2019 11:56:54 AM PDT by Tucker39 ("It ishttps://y impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." George Washington)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Dacula

I keep hives in Western PA. We’ve had a few rough years with moisture and had to buy nukes to replenish. Lots in our circle are in the same boat.

First rule of bee fight club; DON’T eat banana’s the day you are going to get into the hive. Banana’s put off the same pheromone that the guard bee’s put out to signal attack; and they will attack.
Second rule of bee fight club; smoking the hive is a good thing when you want to get into it. They eat the honey and go docile; just give it a few minutes before invading their space.
Third rule of bee fight club; bee’s don’t give two shits about us humans unless we mess with their home. You can put a hive almost anywhere but remember; if you ever want to move it on your own property many yards away you need to first button it up and move it over 2 miles away for a week or two THEN move it back to your new spot on your property. Never move a hive more than 8-10” at time. <— can you see why moving a couple hundred yards will take forever by the 8-10” method??

Feel free to message me. Been at it 6+ years and still learning.


37 posted on 03/23/2019 11:57:35 AM PDT by afterhoursarmory
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Delta 21

Varroa Destructor.

We got the handle down and moisture killed us this year. SO pissed..


38 posted on 03/23/2019 11:58:34 AM PDT by afterhoursarmory
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Openurmind

Have you been to the E.R. over a sting? If not, you are not allergic. I thought I was too; turns out I just had bad anxiety.
Where are you? I have removed hives before. From Oak’s to home eaves.


39 posted on 03/23/2019 12:00:44 PM PDT by afterhoursarmory
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: centurion316
Bees know how to move the hive

So true. Wake up and the bees ghosted ya..

40 posted on 03/23/2019 12:02:56 PM PDT by afterhoursarmory
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-86 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson