..cause the old one died.

So, bees will finally be happening this year. I ordered this beginner kit from Brushy Mountain Bee Farm
http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/10-Frame-Beginner-Beekeeping-Kit/productinfo/110/, and I'm looking
at a Russian strain from Western NC for the hive. I am probably going to drive to Marion to get the queen
and rest of the hive.

What about y'all?

1/12/2012 10:06:51 AM

if my neighbor had a fucking beehive in their yard i would invest in RAID.

1/12/2012 10:08:23 AM

They fly up not out. So surrounding houses don't get bee traffic.

1/12/2012 10:12:41 AM

oh really? they fly up to those flowers up in the sky to get nectar from?

but for real, if they didn't fly into my yard i suppose it wouldn't be a problem, but if there were a higher number of bees in my yard i would not be happy.

[Edited on January 12, 2012 at 10:18 AM. Reason : ]

1/12/2012 10:16:31 AM

smath they are probably much more common than you think

people have hives, theyll have a little cubby in a piling on their porch that has a hive in it.

many neighborhoods i walk through have bees, no one living there has issues with them

hell there are nests in the woods near your house lol, i dont understand the aversion.

of course by law you cannot interfere with them

1/12/2012 11:39:20 AM

if they don't infest my property then no, of course i wouldn't have a problem... i am picturing some guy in a bee suit with tens of thousands of bees swarming around him, and hundreds of those bees entering my yard. I am not so much bothered by bee stings, but i'm going to have a little girl soon and i wouldn't want to put her at risk.

1/12/2012 11:43:41 AM

they dont really infest anything, they spread out to various food sources

they dont migrate en masse to the same spot, life strategy wise thatd be retarded

they travel miles and miles. Most people tat have bees just set em and forget em, they might have a few fruit trees in the yard, or the neighbors on the block have some trees or sunflowers that all benefit from the bees. probably arent harvesting honey.

seeing a guy smoking bees in a suit might be a little uncomfrotable especially with a girl on the way

1/12/2012 11:53:16 AM

Thanks for the link. I have been considering keeping bees for a while now but have never gotten into it because I was told it was expensive to get started. $160 ain't bad at all.

1/12/2012 12:31:58 PM

i've had two hives in 3 years and damn it if i can't keep them around

doesn't help that i never DO anything with/for them

1/12/2012 1:22:46 PM

what's the advantage? just to get fresh honey?

1/12/2012 1:34:57 PM

The advantages include honey, beeswax for candles, soap, lip balm, etc., and pollination of various flowers, fruits
and veggies. Wild colonies also have had problems with Colony Collapse Disorder, so this should help all things that need pollination in a 2-3 mile radius.

I'll probably stick to honey this first year, and just maybe try my hand at the other beeswax product stuff. My girlfriends and I are into crafting, so I should have some help in that department.

1/12/2012 1:47:18 PM

i like burts bees for lip balm.

1/12/2012 1:49:27 PM

This will be very relevant to my interests in just a handful of years.

1/12/2012 2:55:42 PM

i have blackberries, raspberries, apples, blueberries, persimmons, and various flowers...bees are helpful

also, i make mead (honey wine)

i also grew up with 10+ HUGE beehives, so it's not a big deal...when i bother to do it

1/12/2012 3:41:55 PM

Is the bee colony collapse epidemic still going on? I haven't heard news about it for a bit now.

1/12/2012 3:54:51 PM

http://www.npr.org/2012/01/06/144794041/parasitic-fly-threatens-honey-bee-populations?ft=1&f=5

1/12/2012 5:53:22 PM

How difficult is beekeeping? Kind of wish I had taken the class while still at State. I'm starting a pretty serious edible garden this spring but I haven't seen a lot of bees in our neighborhood so I'm concerned about pollination. No way am I donning a bee costume and pollinating those flowers myself.

1/14/2012 7:17:09 PM

^ from the research I have been doing, it is more difficult than I first thought. That being said, it seems no more difficult than keeping a healthy saltwater fish tank (which I have done for about 10 years). One thing that I will say is that it has been pretty expensive to get started.

The beginner's kit in the OP (which I, too, bought) is only the tip of the iceberg. I have been doing a lot of research on the hobby, and you can't expect to get much if you just set up what comes in the beginner's kit. It is a great start, but it is just that.....a start. I am going to purchase a second 10-frame hive, as everyone I have talked to recommends doing at least 2. (so you can monitor what is working and what isn't). Bee colonies range anywhere from $75 for packaged bees to $150 for Nucs. Also, the feeder that comes with the beginners kit is definitely not ideal. Hive top feeders are by far the better option (especially if you are planning to try to keep them alive through the winter), so I will need to buy one of those. And if you are planning to harvest honey, there is all kinds of additional things you will need to buy. (supers, extractors, etc.)

Does anyone know good places relatively close where I can get Nucs? Brushy Mountain has them, but the lady there said they are already sold out. She said she could put me on a list in case someone doesn't show up to get them. Since this is my first crack at it, I definitely want to start with Nucs versus packaged bees.

[Edited on March 21, 2012 at 12:31 PM. Reason : a]

3/21/2012 12:21:14 PM

I never understood why anyone would keep bees if they didn't have a decent sized garden. They seem like a hassle.

3/21/2012 12:23:18 PM

^

http://www.thewolfweb.com/photo_folder.aspx?user=2905&folder=The+Farm+2011&filter=

Plus we have 2 apple trees, and the GF is all about some flowers.

3/21/2012 12:35:18 PM

I've heard natural honey (is that what it's called) is way better than what you get at the store, especially for making mead.

3/21/2012 2:25:51 PM

Are honey bees even aggresive? The only bee I've ever been stung by was the one I stepped on with bare feet on accident. Honesty if my neighbor started a hive my first thought would be "wonder if I can score some honey."

Wasps on the other hand, fuck those guys.

-quick google research indicates they can be, especially in a hive. Maybe a cause for concern if my neighbor isn't responsible.

[Edited on March 21, 2012 at 2:27 PM. Reason : .]

3/21/2012 2:26:06 PM

^ honeybees are not aggressive at all unless you bust into their hive, in that case they will fight to protect their queen and hive, but they display no aggression like wasps do, since stinging is a costly event for them (they die).

the honey is better, but you will get ALOT of it, most people try and sell it or give it to friends. Usually beekeeping on a small scale is 80% for hobby purposes.

3/21/2012 3:08:16 PM

Apparently they can get aggressive even when you're not threatening them, but it's not often and it's associated with high-humidity, high-heat, low-nector times. Hell, humans get agitated during those weeks/months out of the year too.

So generally speaking my experience with bees vs. wasps is spot on. Bees good, wasps assholes.

3/21/2012 4:05:58 PM

I would love to buy honey off of y'all. I'd like to make some mead

3/21/2012 4:08:41 PM

Quote :

"Does anyone know good places relatively close where I can get Nucs? Brushy Mountain has them, but the lady there said they are already sold out. She said she could put me on a list in case someone doesn't show up to get them. Since this is my first crack at it, I definitely want to start with Nucs versus packaged bees."

try this link, start with locally

http://www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/plant/apiary/documents/PermittoSell2012.pdf

and also on agreview they have local classifieds for all types of agriculture needs:

http://www.ncagr.gov/paffairs/AgReview/class/March12class.htm

Quote :

"3lb package bees w/ queen, locally produced, $90 ea; queens Italian, carni and Wayne’s survivors $20; new hive package combo, $170. Larry Tate, Winston Salem 336-788-4554. 5 frame nuc's w/ young laying survivor queen, no frame exchange, $125; discount for multiples. Tony Benge, Thurmond 336-874-2260. 3 lb honey bee packages w/ marked queen, pickup in Archdale and Winston, $90. David Howard, High Point 336-905-5832. Honeybees: Italian queens, taking orders for spring 2012, 5 frame nuc’s $115 complete hives $165 no frame exchange. Sam Frogge, Statesville 704-585-2004. 5 frame nucs, no frame exchange, w/ Italian queen, $105; NC Italian queens, $20; limited supply of complete hives/w bees, $105. Garry Whitley, Albemarle 704-982-0698. 5 frame nucs, Italian bees, treated & state inspected, taking orders for spring, $110. Rick Tindal, Albemarle 704-985-6236. 3 lb. packages w/ queen, avail for pickup 03/13/12, $85, prepayment required, quantity discounts avail; five frame nucs, $115 w/ no frame exchange. Barry Harris, Wilmington 910-352-7868. 3 lb Italian packages, ready 3/23, and 4/21, $85 ea w/ a quantity discount. equipment for sale, $1 up. Scott Taylor, Hubert 910-757-2577 or Julie 787-2880. Bees for rent, $50/hive. Joe Suggs, Whiteville 910-770-7300. 3 lb package bees w/ marked queen, pick up 4/21, $95. Ben Crawley, Raleigh 919-368-5217 or ben.mrbuzz@gmail.com. Maxant series 1100 stainless steel honey sump, water-bath sump, mint condition, $800; Maxant series 200 dual chamber stainless steel honey filter, like new condition, $325. Bill McClelland, Cary 919-467-0586. Italian honey bees, 5 frame nucs $110. Virgil Green, King 919-607-4830 or virgillgreen@gmail.com. Bee hive, 10 frame w/ foundations, assembled & painted includes: 1 top, 1 hive body, 1 bottom and 1 entrance reducer, $100. Michael Stephenson, Princeton 919-631-2605."

[Edited on March 21, 2012 at 5:01 PM. Reason : .]

3/21/2012 4:53:55 PM

This is my second year with bees, and unless some bullshit happens in the next few weeks, both will have made it through their first winter(obviously not a very hard winter). I started with packages and fed them both fall and spring, so i didn't take any honey last year. One colony is absolutely booming, so it might split it in the next few days or just start stacking supers. Either way i gotta get them some space or i'm afraid they will want to swarm soon.

I'm glad i decided to not take honey the first year, even with MANY pounds of sugar fed to each hive they still barely plugged out the two deep hives they each had. coming out of winter both hives were getting pretty light.

Also, i have tried 4 differnt types of feeders, the ones i have found to work the best are the buckets with mesh in the top of the lid. They wont spill while you carry them down to the hives and you just put them right on top of the inner cover. Even with the floats, the hivetop feeders killed tons of bees. they did good for a while, but then for some reason the next time i went to check them, i bet there were 500 dead bees floating in the syrup.

3/21/2012 5:20:24 PM

bees are awesome! i have one small hive and have never been stung.

5 gallons of honey per year and much better than anything store bought.

i feel like if you go to a park or whatever nowadays you just dont see as many bees anymore

3/21/2012 11:36:59 PM

ENT 201 was the best class ever (Intro to Bees and Bee keeping)

Part of the course was watching sexual encounters of the floral kind...plus the swarm ceremony and honey mead

that mug was ill mane

Dr. Ambrose ftw, yadig?

email jambrose@ncsu.edu mane that mug takes care of business

3/21/2012 11:53:28 PM

the italian honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) is the most commonly used for honey and pollinating purposes, but they are more aggressive than their lazier cousins, the brown bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) and carnolian bees (Apis mellifera carnica). good queen control is necessary though, since hybrids are less docile. might be a good choice if you are afraid sensitive people are nearby. but if people know about the hive, prepare to get some negative feedback from idiots who think they can tell where bees come from.






RIP native bees

3/22/2012 12:59:15 AM

Quote :

"ENT 201 was the best class ever"

3/22/2012 9:04:14 AM

Quote :

"ENT 201 was the best class ever (Intro to Bees and Bee keeping) Part of the course was watching sexual encounters of the floral kind...plus the swarm ceremony and honey mead that mug was ill mane Dr. Ambrose ftw, yadig?"

Ambrose retired from teaching that course. Dr. D. Tarpy is the current instructor

3/22/2012 12:02:28 PM

3/22/2012 3:00:12 PM

ambrose was the athlete's professor

3/22/2012 3:06:13 PM

Shit, I wish I knew there was a beekeeping class when I was at NCSU. I could have used the GPA boost

3/22/2012 6:05:37 PM

3/22/2012 9:11:54 PM

http://www.cafepress.com/beegeek/1291586

3/22/2012 9:39:03 PM

Yeah, just dropped another $200 on this hobby and I haven't even bought my bees yet

This shit better be worth it

3/23/2012 11:37:50 PM

3/24/2012 2:58:30 AM

^^my favorite thing about entomology enthusiasts, is their knack for tacky.

[Edited on March 24, 2012 at 3:22 AM. Reason : .]

3/24/2012 3:21:03 AM

So I randomly pulled into the driveway of the Amish family that lives about a mile up the road. I noticed they had several hives, so I figured I would just take a gamble and ask some questions. I left with 4 pages of notes, 2 jars of honey from last year, and a jar of milk!

I think I found my new best friends.

3/27/2012 4:53:31 PM

That's super awesome! Good luck with your hive(s)!

3/27/2012 5:06:30 PM

see it helps to just have a conversation with people

its amazing how much people are willing to help when they love what they do and can tell you aint full of shit

3/27/2012 5:10:14 PM

I love Amish people. I grew up about 30 minutes from Lancaster. And seriously, you can just walk up and knock on their door. They will tell you everything they know.

One of the sons is going to come and help me clear some trees in a couple weeks. The only payment they want is that I deliver the wood to their house.

Downside to having Amish friends: You can't invite them over to watch TV and drink beer.

[Edited on March 27, 2012 at 5:33 PM. Reason : a]

3/27/2012 5:31:47 PM

Quote :

"The only payment they want is that I deliver the wood to their house."

thats cool man, thats a really good arrangement. Mutually beneficial there.

3/27/2012 6:08:31 PM

Quote :

"So I randomly pulled into the driveway of the Amish family that lives about a mile up the road. I noticed they had several hives, so I figured I would just take a gamble and ask some questions. I left with 4 pages of notes, 2 jars of honey from last year, and a jar of milk! I think I found my new best friends."

Beekeepers are generally pretty chill people.

3/27/2012 6:10:57 PM

a jar of milk?

3/27/2012 6:16:08 PM

^^ Definitely. With this mild winter, I have tons of wood to get me through next year. Plus, I am running out of space in the barn to store it. Win-Win in my book. Especially considering they are cool with me using a chainsaw (I was worried about that part).

[Edited on March 27, 2012 at 6:18 PM. Reason : a]

3/27/2012 6:17:30 PM

ENT 201 was the best class i took in college

Intro to Bees and Beekeeping

...we watched a film entitled Sexual Encounters of the Floral kind

And had a swarm ceremony...that mug was ill

made honey mead etc, Dr. Ambrose ftw mane

3/27/2012 11:02:26 PM

Game plan changed- couldn't contact the Russian strain guy even after calling him several times, so I
said fuck it and bought some Italians from the same guy my friend went with. My queen and her ladies are chilling in the pantry right now in their box, I'm assembling the hive as we speak.

We'll install the girls tomorrow afternoon. Can't wait!

(This totally wasn't how I planned this to happen, I wanted to get my hive done by late April and the bees in May, but I didn't want to get screwed out of bees this year by some unresponsive guy).

4/5/2012 9:30:31 PM