beekeeping

[WTA]

We have 25 pecan trees, several different fruit trees, an alfalfa field and most years a 2 acre garden. The problem is I have never seen any bees around here. Lot's of hornets but no bees. The plants must all be getting polenated by the ind and other bugs I guess.

If I wanted to put up a beehive how many hives should I do for 25 acres and how do I get started? The only experience I have with them is getting stung.
I saw some places online where I can buy them but don't know which ones are good. I can make my hives with some plans I found online to save a little money too.
With all the other things we get off our little farm too some fresh honey would be pretty nice. Plus we've had three bad years in a row with the pecan and fruit trees. Some little pollenators would have helped each time I know. Late snows here did most of the damage but still it would have helped.
I noticed on the big commercial orchards they all have bees so it must help.

 

[randy41]

start with at least 2 hives. go get a book out of the library about basic beekeeping. i also recommend going to beekeeping forums and reading. theres a lot of info out there. google beemasters beekeeping forum and beesource. find local beekeeper organizations and go to the meetings.
prepare to be addicted.
what is your location?

 

[WTA]

We're in the Texas south plains region. Near Lubbock. My only real concern here for bees is they all may end up in Louisiana with these winds. I have been out riding my horse for a couple hours now and it's blowing about 50 mph steady. This sucks! It's pretty typical though on the plains.

 

[Redbug]

Hi WTA. Randy's advise is right. I used to have a few bee hives, but do not have any right now. The bees are having a hard time with mites, and other kinds of die offs, as well as the effect of insectcides. However, I would like to get back into it in the future. It is really a fun hobby.

Here is one good site: BeeSource.com, Your Online Sourcebook for Beekeeping

 

[Chuck52]

Good luck with the bees if you decide to do that. I've been thinking about it for years but haven't been able to overcome the inertia, and there must be some beekeepers around me because I always have honeybees in the summer. As to the pecans, they are wind pollinated and I don't think the bees would make much difference for them. This year was a bust around here because of the late freeze that got most all the tree fruit and nuts. If that wasn't your problem this year you might look into giving your pecan trees some zinc. They are really sensitive to low zinc levels.

Chuck

 

[MikeD74T]

Have you looked here: Texas Beekeepers Associations MikeD74t

 

[Rara Avis]

Supplies...
The BEEZ NEEZ Apiary Supply


Does your state require anything like this??
Agriculture: Apiary/Beekeeper Registration

 

[mapmaker]

I hope you decide to go ahead an get a couple of hives. I started beekeeping 2 years ago and have had a great time. I agree with randy41 get at least two hives. That way if you think you are having a problem with one then you can compare it to the other. Some other things to think about: If you order bees from a mail order supplier, do so early some of the suppliers run out early and you may not be able to get them for this spring. I would also recommend not buying used hives, they may contain diseases that will infect you new bees.
Check out your area for a beekeeping club. They can provide you with a wealth of information and help you get started.

Good Luck.

 

[randy41]

try to buy your equipment locally since shipping has become expensive. if you can find someone nearby who sells nucs you would be better off than if you purchased packages.
i have 4 hives that i'm hoping will make it through the winter. i want at least double that number by next year.

 

[Tom_H]

Just an FYI, something you may want to Google for info. about. Over the past year or so, there have been extraordinary disappearences of colonies. Numerous farmers lost crops due to no polination from missing bees. About a month ago, I read that some experts had isolated a virus that may be responsible for a pandemic that is killing off all the bees. I'm no expert and there may be more up to date info., but could be something to check into before making a big investment. I think there may be some archived threads in this forum about this.