Bee Keeping

[Slick]

I had a very similar experience, after 18 months one hive swarmed never to be seen again, one hive just died. I did get some honey though, about 8 jars, turned out to be the most expensive honey in the world. I got stung many times, came up like the Elephant Man, the Fragrant MrsP got stung, the dogs got stung. Frankly I think me and the bees were glad to see the back of each other.

You live and learn. My advice to the OP is do your research, really thoroughly, then walk away.

EDIT. It’s a really expensive hobby.

Thanks for that, I will research it, but I reckon I'm going to give it a go.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

I find them fascinating, and am quite happy to leave it to the bees.

That being the case, have you considered encouraging wild bees rather than raising honey bees?

This link is American, but much of the general argument follows in the UK, and it's a reasonable starting point for research.

https://www.nwf.org/Home/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2021/June-July/Gardening/Honey-Bees

"If you want to help bees, “the most important thing to do is grow a diversity of flowering native plants that bloom throughout all seasons,” Mizejewski says. Many native bees are pollen and nectar specialists, so include plants that they need. For nesting sites, leave bare patches of soil and, if safe, fallen logs or dead trees. “Let plant stems stand through winter,” he adds, “and never use pesticides.”

Is it okay to keep one or two healthy backyard beehives if there’s enough food to go around? “Honey bees are cool,” Cane admits. If you enjoy raising them or if it’s a teaching or learning experience, go ahead. But keep in mind that “you’re doing this for yourself,” he says, “not to help bees.”"

 

[Slick]

That being the case, have you considered encouraging wild bees rather than raising honey bees?

This link is American, but much of the general argument follows in the UK, and it's a reasonable starting point for research.

https://www.nwf.org/Home/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2021/June-July/Gardening/Honey-Bees

"If you want to help bees, “the most important thing to do is grow a diversity of flowering native plants that bloom throughout all seasons,” Mizejewski says. Many native bees are pollen and nectar specialists, so include plants that they need. For nesting sites, leave bare patches of soil and, if safe, fallen logs or dead trees. “Let plant stems stand through winter,” he adds, “and never use pesticides.”

Is it okay to keep one or two healthy backyard beehives if there’s enough food to go around? “Honey bees are cool,” Cane admits. If you enjoy raising them or if it’s a teaching or learning experience, go ahead. But keep in mind that “you’re doing this for yourself,” he says, “not to help bees.”"

I haven't, but I take your point. I have been growing wildflowers for some time now and not always restricted to my property although to be fair, how many are native is something I haven't considered before.

I will have a proper look at your link though, thanks for posting it.

 

[mudsticks]

Why would you keep bees if you don't like honey?!🤔🤔

They're good for pollination of food crops, and they're interesting critters..

Why keep goldfish, if you're not going to eat them?? 🥸

I haven't, but I take your point. I have been growing wildflowers for some time now and not always restricted to my property although to be fair, how many are native is something I haven't considered before.

I will have a proper look at your link though, thanks for posting it.

Flowers dont have to be native to be useful to pollinators
They're not that fussy.
Just like us h'englishers can enjoy a pizza..
Or curry .

But simple flowers - ie not overbred, and hard to get into is generally better for them.
So they can get easy access to the nectar.

And a good range of early and later season bloomers so they have a good range of forage all year round. 🏵️🌻💮🌺

 

[Slick]

They're good for pollination of food crops, and they're interesting critters..

Why keep goldfish, if you're not going to eat them?? 🥸


Flowers dont have to be native to be useful to pollinators
They're not that fussy.
Just like us h'englishers can enjoy a pizza..
Or curry .

But simple flowers - ie not overbred, and hard to get into is generally better for them.
So they can get easy access to the nectar.

And a good range of early and later season bloomers so they have a good range of forage all year round. 🏵️🌻💮🌺

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. 👍

 

[Jameshow]

They're good for pollination of food crops, and they're interesting critters..

Why keep goldfish, if you're not going to eat them?? 🥸


Flowers dont have to be native to be useful to pollinators
They're not that fussy.
Just like us h'englishers can enjoy a pizza..
Or curry .

But simple flowers - ie not overbred, and hard to get into is generally better for them.
So they can get easy access to the nectar.

And a good range of early and later season bloomers so they have a good range of forage all year round. 🏵️🌻💮🌺

Just don't have hives anywhere near rapeseed oil crops..... DAMHIK!!

 

[mudsticks]

Just don't have hives anywhere near rapeseed oil crops..... DAHIK!!

I remember our first 'haul' of honey, from near a lot of foraged rapeseed

It's very very solid..🙄

Also unless it's h'organic (unlikely) it will probs have had some quantity of sprays applied..
Not great for the long-term health of the bees.

 

[All uphill]

That being the case, have you considered encouraging wild bees rather than raising honey bees?

This link is American, but much of the general argument follows in the UK, and it's a reasonable starting point for research.

https://www.nwf.org/Home/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2021/June-July/Gardening/Honey-Bees

"If you want to help bees, “the most important thing to do is grow a diversity of flowering native plants that bloom throughout all seasons,” Mizejewski says. Many native bees are pollen and nectar specialists, so include plants that they need. For nesting sites, leave bare patches of soil and, if safe, fallen logs or dead trees. “Let plant stems stand through winter,” he adds, “and never use pesticides.”

Is it okay to keep one or two healthy backyard beehives if there’s enough food to go around? “Honey bees are cool,” Cane admits. If you enjoy raising them or if it’s a teaching or learning experience, go ahead. But keep in mind that “you’re doing this for yourself,” he says, “not to help bees.”"

This is what we are attempting. I've been around for 60+ years and, until now never, never noticed how many species of bee there are, and how many can be found buzzing about even in winter.

I agree the fashion for exclusively native species ( whatever that means) is sometimes over emphasised.

 

[slowmotion]

I went to an afternoon at Bee Urban in Kennington Park, London a few years ago. The beekeeper showed us the inside of a working hive and talked us through basic bee stuff. I found it absolutely fascinating and highly recommend it to others.
BTW, they loan you bee suits so you don't have to be brave. The high point is getting to hold one of the honeycomb trays inches from your face when it's covered with hundreds of surprisingly docile bees.

 

[mudsticks]

Meanwhile, in other bee news..

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2...mstick-to-feature-in-attenboroughs-wild-isles

Bee-witching stuff 😎🐝

 

[Slick]

Meanwhile, in other bee news..

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2...mstick-to-feature-in-attenboroughs-wild-isles

Bee-witching stuff 😎🐝

I saw a small preview of that on BBC breakfast during the week, I'm looking forward to seeing it, its been excellent so far.

 

[mudsticks]

After having said we don't take honey from our bees.
Today a hive inspection (hive needs to be moved) led to the removal of some broken frames, led to the extraction of some well filled comb.

Overwintered stores looked very good, for the hive as a whole, and they're out foraging most days already.
Queen is laying brood.

The honey was dark and rich - very good on toast and butter. 🐝🙏🏼

Possibly a combination of late gathered heather nectar from the heath nearby, and ivy closer by.

Thanks bee to the bees 😇🐝🐝🐝

 

[Slick]

After having said we don't take honey from our bees.
Today a hive inspection (hive needs to be moved) led to the removal of some broken frames, led to the extraction of some well filled comb.

Overwintered stores looked very good, for the hive as a whole, and they're out foraging most days already.
Queen is laying brood.

The honey was dark and rich - very good on toast and butter. 🐝🙏🏼

Possibly a combination of late gathered heather nectar from the heath nearby, and ivy closer by.

Thanks bee to the bees 😇🐝🐝🐝

Sounds perfect.

For myself, I have now spoken to a very nice gentleman who is coming over next week to discuss my options.

Apparently, a bit of a local specialist, so I'm looking forward to meeting him.

 

[Sallar55]

My other half has a friend who does honey and its good

 

[Slick]

My other half has a friend who does honey and its good

View attachment 683694

That's just over the road from me.