Bee keeping

[Johnny Thunder]

I think [MENTION=13413582]wolfie[/MENTION] keeps bees too.

[puff o'wind]

I made my warre hives for about fifty quid each...designs on interwebulon.

My cloth bee suit was 100 quid...get a good one.

Various tools...fifty quid?

I then collected my first swarm for free. Other swarms just turned up.

My hives are about twenty feet from our patio and BBQ and we have never had trouble...they arent bothered by us as at all. Being so close means we can watch them.

Be aware that warre hives are much harder to get honey from...it is possible but harder. If yiu want honey then a conventional hive like a National is called for or, and this is something I want, one of the modern flow-hives. At first these seem a bad idea but after some considerable reading ive decided they probably aren't, and certainly make honey extraction much easier.

It depends why you want hives but 1000-1500 quid is over the top in my experience

[Emaresee]

I made my warre hives for about fifty quid each...designs on interwebulon.

My cloth bee suit was 100 quid...get a good one.

Various tools...fifty quid?

I then collected my first swarm for free. Other swarms just turned up.

My hives are about twenty feet from our patio and BBQ and we have never had trouble...they arent bothered by us as at all. Being so close means we can watch them.

Be aware that warre hives are much harder to get honey from...it is possible but harder. If yiu want honey then a conventional hive like a National is called for or, and this is something I want, one of the modern flow-hives. At first these seem a bad idea but after some considerable reading ive decided they probably aren't, and certainly make honey extraction much easier.

It depends why you want hives but 1000-1500 quid is over the top in my experience

I felt it was possibly a little high, but it was given to me by a guy who has kept bees for 50 years and a guy who has followed his path for the last ten or so... But the one is a gadgeteer and will buy everything new and everything from the top shelf.... I think he probably meant year 1 costs including all over wintering gear, possible treatments etc..

[Kickback]

You can buy a life supply of honey for that cost if you only spread a bit on your toast every so often.
It'll be a hobby rather than a money maker, though still cheaper than setting light to cigars.

[puff o'wind]

It is a hobby for me. We just like watching the bees around the garden. They make a huge, huge difference to the flowers and fruit though.

[PeeJay]

My granddaughters (10 years and 21 months) are both obsessed with bees at the moment. We had to rescue a bumble bee last week and give it some sugar water to sip on.


fatbee.jpg

[Emaresee]

It is a hobby for me. We just like watching the bees around the garden. They make a huge, huge difference to the flowers and fruit though.

ditto... I have had a day playing in hives... and they are just fascinating creatures who mostly ignore you! After an initial hesitance I just got about the obs we were asked to, and then you end up looking down and being amazed that your hands are covered in bees who just see you as a 'thing' not a threat or a problem. I found it gloriously calming. I understand that if a bee thinks you are a problem, then calm is the last thing life can be, but staying calm is king!

honey would be nice side benefit.

[mcdee]

My granddaughters (10 years and 21 months) are both obsessed with bees at the moment. We had to rescue a bumble bee last week and give it some sugar water to sip on.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]34449[/ATTACH]

Great picture!