my bees arrived today!

[happy acres]

Definitely! And I just read in Mother Earth News that now they are finding residual poisons in the breast milk of nursing mothers in the good ole USA! Do these people not care that in their quest for more and more money they are killing off the consumer?

 

[Prairie Farm Woman]

We've had bees off and on for years. And we lost more then a few to die off. Tried requeening the hive once. I found it really hard to see the difference between the types of bees. We haven't had bees for a few years. We keep saying this next year will be the one, but it won't be this year either.

 

[moffitthill]

I cannot figure out how to start a question so please forgive. Huge vegetable garden every year. What fun! Researching to add bees - I am bug bite "reactive" and very bee ignorant as far as proper care. I know seems silly to some but as so many are being lost that I would hate my ignorance to add to the diminishing numbers. So hoping to allow person to keep bees in trade for free pollination and bartering for a bit honey. We have some fruit trees and several perennial garden areas that would be interesting to see what honey is developed. Live in West Michigan. Anyone here can send me in right direction or a reputable site to get me headed in the right direction? Would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[happy acres]

Check your local county co-op. Or you could ask you county extension agent. You can also check the nearest public library, they often have information. And check to see if there is a bee-keepers association near you.

 

[Sumi]

@happy acres How are your bees doing? I'm seriously thinking of getting some myself, sometime in future when I'm settled I've been following a friend's adventures with her first swarm and all sounds so wonderful.. I'm afraid I don't have any no-stings luck though! I've lost count lol

 

[Amiga]

I decided to go with top bar - just had the bees for a month, they seem to be doing quite well.

 

[happy acres]

They are doing well. I hope to rob the hive next month.

 

[Sumi]

That's the best bit, robbing the hive

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

The bees are so important to humanity that I encourage every one I know to get a hive or at least to let me put one at their place if it is a suitable location.

I would love to have you put bees at my place. I've wanted bees for some time. Unfortunately for me it's more than 600 miles between Anderson, CA and Fallbrook, CA.

I've got 4 acres with not much on it right now but there are 8 acres of lemons across the street and 2 acres of organic avocado next door. Bees would do well here. I had to remove more than 50 lbs of honey comb from my chimney 2 years ago...

 

[babsbag]

Wish I was closer....