Any beekeepers here?

[NirvanaFan]

I think I'm going to be starting up a couple hives in the spring. Does anyone here keep any hives? I don't have any experience in beekeeping, but have been reading like mad for a couple of months now.

I would love to pick someone's brain that has first hand knowledge and maybe go out in the field with them in the spring.

Thanks!

 

[reid36]

I have 8 hives now and have been doing it for 6 years.
There is a group that meets in East Aurora that are good too. Membership is like $10 per year
http://www.wnyhpa.org/

 

[Tonynlo]

I would have nightmares, I'm terrified of bees.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Thanks Reid. I will have to look into attending some classes there. Seeing things first hand and meeting some people would be nice.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

What an awesome hobby.

 

[NirvanaFan]

It should be fun to try. I've always wanted to do it, and I actually have the time and money now.

People look at me funny because of my fish tanks, but they're really going to look at me funny for beekeping. It's all good though. It should be fun.

 

[naprestsleep]

Thought about it but last thing I need is another hobby. Plus the vicinity of small children and dogs to my house scares me if something happened.

 

[davidpesce]

It should be fun to try. I've always wanted to do it, and I actually have the time and money now.

People look at me funny because of my fish tanks, but they're really going to look at me funny for beekeping. It's all good though. It should be fun.

Let em talk. I have six chickens and everyone thought I was nuts til they all wanted eggs.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Chickens! Another hobby I think is awesome.

I need to stop reading this thread...

 

[NirvanaFan]

Thought about it but last thing I need is another hobby. Plus the vicinity of small children and dogs to my house scares me if something happened.

Dogs can outrun bees, so they shouldn't be a problem. The only problem with children and bees is if the child happens to be allergic. Honey bees are probably the most docile bee (around here). If you aren't allergic to their sting, the bees aren't a problem.

These bees will be kept at my parents house in Bristol on 40+ acres out in the country. I don't have to worry about kids, but do have to worry about bears or skunks.

Let em talk. I have six chickens and everyone thought I was nuts til they all wanted eggs.

I'm jealous. I would definitely have chickens if I lived out in the country. Hopefully my next house (5 years or so) will have the land to do it.

 

[block head]

do it . i'd bet you could get away a hive at your place. neighbors are overrated

 

[NirvanaFan]

hahaha. I do have a covered porch with a pretty flat roof. I could probably put it on there if I really wanted. It would be a little difficult to check it every other week though. I'd have to climb through a bedroom window or up a ladder... It is tempting though...

 

[Srixon]

Father-in-law kept bees for years and I helped.....rewarding hobby and honey bees are more interested in doing their job than bothering with kids and dogs.....they only get aggressive if you disturb them in their home.....and you really have to try hard at that....we used a leaf blower to remove them from the supers that we harvested the honey from.....a working hive is very interesting thing to watch.

 

[NirvanaFan]

I picked up my bees today! I was a bit nervous at first, but calmed down after a few minutes, which made the bees calm down too. Installing them was pretty easy. I'll swing by and check on them once during the week, and again on the weekend. Day 1: no stings.

A shot of 4 frames.

Me handling a frame of bees. There's a lot of 'em on there!

 

[block head]

Jealous, my wife busts my stones about my dorky hobbies. The hat would keep her going for weeks.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Yeah, my wife calls them "hair-brained ideas"

HAHAHA. You're welcome to come check them out anytime. I'll be buying a spare jacket and veil in the semi-near future.

 

[siobhan2086]

Chickens! Another hobby I think is awesome.

I need to stop reading this thread...

Awesome hobby till you see people with diaper'ed chickens running around their house.... yes, they make chicken diapers now lol

 

[cardiffgiant]

Awesome!! LOL, I've never seen a smoker that was that shiny!

My stepfather has been a beekeeper for about 30 years. The hobby has been very frustrating for the last few years. He hasn't harvested in ages because the hives have struggled. Fortunately, his observation hive has held strong.

I've always thought that it was a very cool hobby. I'm really interested in seeing your progress and how you like it.