I have a small cabinet that I plan to try to turn into a home for Bees in the spring. Each summer I have a new swarm appear, so I assume I have a full hive close by. I hope to use an attractant to get them in. I have been reading, but not to many people want to have a bee hive and not take the honey. I just want to watch them and know where they are. Maybe help them along a little.
having beehives
- Thread starter ihookem
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forgeblast
Elite Member
You can use lemongrass oil as an attractant.
troutsqueezer
Veteran Member
Don't know where you're living but many states/counties have laws that require you to maintain your beehives properly if you are to keep them. That means regular inspection, upkeep, disease prevention, etc. A simple box will not do. It needs to be something that will entice the bees to draw the comb properly, it can be top bar, Langstroth or similar, but not just a box. Ventilation is important as well. Chances are if the box does not meet basic requirements, the bees will not stay anyway.
Pheromones are available at your local bee store. Most of the time they don't work but occasionally you luck out, very occasionally, like once every ten years.
In other words, you can't go into it willy-nilly.
forgeblast
Elite Member
In Pa you must be able to remove the combs to do an inspection. I can get around that using a top bar warre by addding side pieces that go down 1/2 the height of the box to make the comb more rigid.
Beekeeping with the Warré hive -- Home
Beekeeping with the Warré hive -- Home
I can second the various recommendations to seek out other local beekeepers or clubs. From what I have seen, many beekeepers are very willing to help out a newbie. Any chance you have other family close by that are also interested and can share the work?
My BIL has kept bees as a hobby for years. FIL, like you, thought he might be interested in keeping a hive or two also. Now after a few years, he dabbles a bit, keeping up water and sugar during dry spells and keeping an eye on things, but if there are any problems, or when it's time to rob, his son comes over and "helps" (does most of it). FIL gets a gallon or so of the honey (way more than he needs for personal use), and son gets some extra to sell. Works out good for everybody.
My BIL has kept bees as a hobby for years. FIL, like you, thought he might be interested in keeping a hive or two also. Now after a few years, he dabbles a bit, keeping up water and sugar during dry spells and keeping an eye on things, but if there are any problems, or when it's time to rob, his son comes over and "helps" (does most of it). FIL gets a gallon or so of the honey (way more than he needs for personal use), and son gets some extra to sell. Works out good for everybody.
Don't know where you're living but many states/counties have laws that require you to maintain your beehives properly if you are to keep them. That means regular inspection, upkeep, disease prevention, etc. A simple box will not do. It needs to be something that will entice the bees to draw the comb properly, it can be top bar, Langstroth or similar, but not just a box. Ventilation is important as well. Chances are if the box does not meet basic requirements, the bees will not stay anyway.
Pheromones are available at your local bee store. Most of the time they don't work but occasionally you luck out, very occasionally, like once every ten years.
In other words, you can't go into it willy-nilly.
So your saying I should just buy the box and hive together thats already started and let them go. I do not want to check them or take honey, just have them around. Its that do-able?
forgeblast
Elite Member
Brian look at then keeping a low maintaince hive. Warre is very low work, and little to no intrusions. Biobees.com is a good site for more info.
If you have them in a small box and do nothing they will swarm every year and leave.
If you have them in a small box and do nothing they will swarm every year and leave.
bcjmmac
Silver Member
If all you want is to have a hive, or 2, on your property; talk to local bee keepers. They quite often are looking for spots to site some hives & might be willing to put some on your property if the site is suitable (water, "food", etc). Best of both worlds if it works out - you can enjoy watching the bees, have the benefit of them being there, & won't have any work associated with keeping them.
good luck
good luck
ajamesshaw
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What would be the potential payback? Would it just supply me with honey or something more? What's the typical rent? I have a nice creekside/hillside forest that has a active paper hornet nest, so I guess it's a somewhat suitable environment.
I don't want to manage bees, but wouldn't mind them being around for the ecological benefits.
troutsqueezer
Veteran Member
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It would increase pollination of whatever plants you have growing in your vincinity that the bees might like. Other than that, about all that you could expect might be a quart jar of honey from the beekeeper if the hives produce. There would not be any "rent" involved for a residential placement.
That said, forest land is not ideal for apiary placement. Desirable locations include agricultural fields foremost followed by residential areas where many yards contain a variety of flowering plants.
It would increase pollination of whatever plants you have growing in your vincinity that the bees might like. Other than that, about all that you could expect might be a quart jar of honey from the beekeeper if the hives produce. There would not be any "rent" involved for a residential placement.
That said, forest land is not ideal for apiary placement. Desirable locations include agricultural fields foremost followed by residential areas where many yards contain a variety of flowering plants.
