Who on the Vine wants to keep Bees?

[noviceveggrower]

Hi there,
I would love to keep bees but the allotment we are in has a public right of way and so isn't a secure site. We live in a rented house the neighbours wouldn't be bothered about having a hive about but if we had to move for what ever reason then it would be a case of what to do with them.
Also we have two young children they are very respectful of the bees and various bugs we get in the garden. But I would worry about them getting to close to the hive. Plus hubby got stung in his eye when he was little and if for some reason I was unable to sort the hive out if there was a problem he wouldn't be able to do it.

[Kristen]

Been on my New Years Resolution list for several years now, although after buying some books and reading up I decided I don't have the time.

A bee keeper keeps some hives down the lane from us, and I need to find out where he lives and see if he would look after some for me. Happy to pay for the hives etc. just not got the time to look after them.

[wbmkk]

It doesn't actually take too long to look after the bees.

It would probably take less than one hour per week per hive.

Basically all you are doing is checking that the bees are OK, there are no diseases and that they are not preparing to swarm, by looking for queen cells. If the hive is too full, the colony will raise a new queen and when the time is right, the old queen will leave the hive, taking about 50% of the bees.

As new colonies are expensive to buy, beekeepers try to prevent swarming, or make use of it, by starting a new hive 'for free'

[stormpsy]

I have 4 new hives coming next week cant wait to build them bee's on way in april time

no time at all I go and see my one hive every Thursday and all is good. just need to make sure queen is laying or still in there but its easy with her clipped and marked. see a new queen cell and remove it once I found the queen, but this time if I see a queen cell its going in a nuc to another hive once hatched and mated.

[Snailfox]

It's something I've wanted to try my hand at for a few years now, but the outlay in terms of equipment, combined with me renting and being somwhat transient etc, means that it's just not practical for me at the moment sadly.

[Anarchy84]

I am definitely getting bee hives for my allotment plots.

I will be establishing my orchard over the next few years now I have taken on the plot next to my other 2 and am looking for bee keeping courses near Barnsley South Yorkshire if anyone knows of one.

[Bigmallly]

Not sure if this is of any use to you Anarchy:

Barnsley Beekeepers

[Bal]

OH definitely wants to keep bees, but it's on hold for a year or two till we get the rest of the garden sorted out, and plant up the orchard bit. Hopefully will go on a course early next year. Only have large lumps of lawn in the front garden at the moment, but I want to dig them up for now and plant green manure till we start on the landscaping. Even thinking of planting specific flowers for them, such as lavender and heathers etc. would love to have some Acacia trees but it will probably take too long for them to get to the flowering stage.

[Anarchy84]

Thanks Bigmallly. Very useful. Not far from me at all.

Meetings start September so plenty of time to do my own bit of research and get a space prepared.

[wbmkk]

I think the price of bees may be cheap this year after the mild winter, so have you considered starting this year.

A friend bought a nucleus of bees last year and it cost her £300. many are being sold this year for under £100. A 'nuc' ... short for nucleus is how beekeepers here in the UK often buy bees. they are basically 5 framed mini hives.

I say 'here in the UK' because in the USA they often buy what they term a package of bees, just a wired mesh container full of bees, which then need to be shaken into a hive.

[Highlander]

It might be worth emailing to see if they have any outdoor meetings during the summer. Most beekeeper clubs meet at an apiary and it would give you chance to see how things work and to ask questions as well as getting to know others.

[nick the grief]

thought about it many times but trouble is I'm diabetic and no one else in the house really like honey ... seem a lot of effort for no benefit to me being selfish ...

[nick the grief]

is Mrs Dobby still on here? they used to keep Bees if the memory still works ...

[wbmkk]

thought about it many times but trouble is I'm diabetic and no one else in the house really like honey ... seem a lot of effort for no benefit to me being selfish ...

Honey is actually very good for you, so maybe worth giving it a shot.

The bee population would benefit too, as would the flowers in your garden

[shushkin!]

Honey has many wonderful properties. I would love a hive but I think the neighbours would freak out!
Every year there seems to be colony of bees somewhere around my property. This year I have tree bumblebees who have taken residence in the eves just above my studio window. I can see them from here but they are not very active today with all the rain. There are also bumblebees living in my shed and they have been there for the last couple of years. You have to be careful going in and out or inevitably you get head butted by a bee.
Aside from lots of flowering shrubs and flowers I grow a few winter flowering shrubs so I think the bees think its some sort of heaven for them. Food all year around.
I observed that I have at least six different bees doing their business around my garden. I dont know if any of them would be honey bees. They are so varied in their sizes and markings.