Bee update

[Headfry]

Hi there,
if anyone is interested...a bee update!
Looked in hive just before Christmas and there were so very few bees...very worried. 6 or so is all I could see at the top of the frames.
Well had a really sneaky peek inside last weekend and there are loads of bees!
as I walked towards the hive I thought they were trying to swarm, so many bees on the front of the hive- I have a mouse guard across the entrance...I think it was slowing them as they tried to leave and enter the hive. (A mouse guard is a metal strip with bee sized holes in it) sorry
It's early days yet... march can be the month of great worry for the bee keepers so it's fingers crossed for my girlies.

[kirsty b]

It must be good to know they haven't all done a bunk.

Any pics of them?

[SueA]

Hi Headfry, I know nothing about bees, I didn't know they would be active so early in the year. Have you got all the gear to wear & are you planning to produce honey? It sounds a great hobby, I'd just be worried that I'd get stung or all the bees would come down with something & die. Good luck with them.

[Headfry]

Hi Sue, I have got the gear but am also very naughty and don't wear it most of the time, thus the bee stings. There are so many nasty bee diseases about now that I would be very much surprised if they get through the winter. It's a grave time for bee keepers new and old.
If you ever think of having bees, find someone with bees and ask if you could join them when the open the hive...you will soon know if its for you. Do though scrounge some gear to wear! It is so interesting watching them.....hours are spent in a kinda 'bee dreamland' when I go down to the hive. This year I hope to get another hive and one next year...three is a good number! If you loose a queen you can always breed another in one of your other hives.
I should be able to take some honey this year, weather and bee health permitting.
The bees will find the crocus and gather pollen which is vital in the production of 'new' bees! On a sunny day, look at the crocus and see if there are any honey bees about.

[scarey55]

Headfry, a daft question perhaps but, here goes....

Do I need to do anything to intervene if I just want to have a hive where the bees "live" (sorry, I told you, I don't know anything)
I have about 15 fruit trees and I would love to have bees but, not sure about all the looking after and I don't like honey but they do such a great job of pollenating ...

[Headfry]

Morning Scarey, I don't see why you cant have a hive but you can always sell the honey!
I had my first bees 15 years ago, I started off with a book, a hive and some protective clothes! In the three years that I had my bees (I then moved) they did not die or fall ill and I was not stung to death! It helps if you can get on a course, however it is very much a learn as you go hobby. With bee keeping for me it's more about loving the bees and not so much about the ' I must learn it all' as it will come in time. Yes there are nasty bee diseases about now but again this you would pick up with a good book and time.
I'll hunt out my two Fave books and find titles and isbn no's
I say GO FOR IT

[scarey55]

Thanks for the info Headfry - I suppose I can always make mead with the honey Now, all I need to do is convince OH that it's a good idea......

[Headfry]

Keep me posted Scarey! good luck xx