having beehives

[troutsqueezer]

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?

Definetely not saying that. In fact, just the opposite. If the laws I mentioned exist, you should not just leave them alone. You are obligated to take care of them. Kind of like a puppy.

 

[Pete Judd]

Ajamessaw. they will help spread pollen around your garden, and your fruit trees. No payback needed from the beekeeper. Maybe you will get some some honey, but a lot of farmers pay to have hives delivered to them not cheap, I am looking at putting in a couple, high up front cost, but having a few thousand workers workers is cheap compared to going out with a paint brush and doing it your self.

 

[bcjmmac]

In my area there are mainly 2 types of bee keepers. Those that primarily keep the bees for honey, & those that primarily rent the hives out for pollination. The ones that keep bees for honey need to spread their hives out so that there is enough pollen for each hive. If there are lots of agricultural fields/crops (& owners that don't use a lot of pesticides) adjacent to your property a bee keeper that wants honey, especially one in expansion mode, might be interested in using your property to site several hives. The edges of woodlands are good for sheltering the hives so if there are lots of pollen sources in the area your property might be a good bet. This sort of arrangement is generally free for the landowner - in my area at least.
We have 3 hives of our own & some commercial growers still ask if they can put some hives on our back 40 (we have ~60 acres cleared land - pasture/wild flower areas). We're not interested as we don't want to attract any bears - there are a few around & the back is close to a large "wildlife area"/swamp.

 

[scaredychicken]

We have about 40 hives (last count). the yield is good this year according to my wife who is the apiarist. She does the work with relatives, I sell the honey. We are almost sold out and the extracting is just beginning. currently the bees are happily busy on a quarter section, but for the winter months they will be kept on our property. I joined the TBN forum because the plan is to buy raw acreage, and of course tractors and a forklift will be required in short order. great hobby, and extra income = the sweet life. cheers.

we have bears on our property, but the electric fence and the dog (12 lb jack russell) have been effective at keeping the wildlife away from the bees, chickens etc. we are getting a second dog, as the neighbour's dog recently moved away, and our puppy is pretty pooped after treeing the bear for a few hours at a time.

ps - $800 for equipment may be reasonable, but that would also buy a lot of honey...

 

[Eyecatcher]

Would definately like to have a couple of stands of bees, but not sure if there's enough feed for them in the area. We have a commercial outfit about 30 miles south, I see them hauling truckloads of hives around so they must be renting them out. Gonna have to research a cover crop that I could plant here on my 10 acres that would provide something for the bees. don't know what will grow in N Florida that will blossom enough for them.

 

[ajamesshaw]

I should have said hillside forested creek corridor in corn country (Illinois). The hornets paper nest is closer to the edge of the creek than the fields edge at the top of the hillside, so I thought that is where they must like it. Not a real forest.

Neighbor has a 15 acre prairie restoration and I have 21 of corn, so lots of plant life/flowers are near.

I will look into offering room to a beekeeper, thanks everybody for the inspiration!

t

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.

 

[Pete Judd]

I have been hoarding the last quart of a dead friends blackberry honey. She had a couple of hives behind her house. I have been looking at hive plans, and will build a couple this winter. Need them for the garden, I have provided lots homes for mason bees, to do the early pollen thing, I think it is a win win thing.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Would definately like to have a couple of stands of bees, but not sure if there's enough feed for them in the area. We have a commercial outfit about 30 miles south, I see them hauling truckloads of hives around so they must be renting them out. Gonna have to research a cover crop that I could plant here on my 10 acres that would provide something for the bees. don't know what will grow in N Florida that will blossom enough for them.

Bees will forage to a five mile radius. Of course, the closer the nectar the more trips they can make on a given day.

 

[ddb123]

Bees will forage to a five mile radius. Of course, the closer the nectar the more trips they can make on a given day.

Everything I have read has said two miles and that they favor particularly strong sources to nearby ones. I have bees and rarely see them in my garden or on my flowers. Lots of honey anyway.

 

[k4vb]

I am a second generation, lifer in beekeeping. I keep around 100 hives. I do recommend that anyone start with at least 2 hives. With more than one hive, you have a reference for comparison so you can call for help if they appear different. I agree that splits are the best way to start but that too has its downsides so get them from a reputable beekeeper and or make sure they have been state inspected. Try and get splits with at least 3 frames of brood.

I strongly recommend locating a beekeeping association and join. Most associations have loaner extractors for members. Langstroth hives are considered standard and will be a must for using loaner extractors. In many states, any other “box” is illegal because removable frames are required for state inspections. Check with your state inspector regarding ‘Top Bar” or other hives designs.

Don’t worry about planting any particular crop for them unless you want a specific nectar sourced honey. In most locations, the bees will find a nectar source. Be careful with agricultural crops, lots of potential for insecticide and other problems. Wooded areas are great. Swampy areas are great but beware of flooding. Old established subdivisions are great but if in a city or community, keep a continuous supply of water. Bees generally prefer swimming pools over other water sources. Bees in swimming pools and dog water are the biggest single complaint from near neighbors.

Once you are established and the word is out, your honey sales will most likely far exceed your supply. If you use or sell “comb honey” (not extracted), store in a deep freeze for 24 hours before selling it to prevent it containing lesser wax moth larvae.

Enticing bee swarms to move into your boxes is tricky. I have a slide presentation on my WebPages (www.k4vb.com) that reflect my experience in that area.

Just a few tips from the school of hard knocks! Happy Beekeeping!