Honey Bees

[Peeps]

Anyone raise honey bees? I have a hive and 10000 bees on the way for this spring. This should be interesting as normally I don't like bees but my fear is of wasps not honey bees. If I can keep the Bears away it should bennefit my fruit trees and plots. I will post updates of my adventure when it kicks off. Wish me luck.

 

[wiscwhip]

I see they sell bees and bee supplies at the Ace Hardware in LaCrosse now.

 

[shawnv]

My dad had some that I took over when he passed. He lived in the woods and while he planted flowers it just wasn't enough and they did not produce enough to survive the winter a couple years ago.

Personally I'm saving up for one of these sweet rigs for my farm http://www.honeyflow.com

 

[Peeps]

That flow hive does look sweet. I ordered my bees from fleet farm.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

We have honey bees at my camp - and lots of bears. We mounted a platform on the side of an outbuilding and put the hives up there. Bears cannot get to it. It's easily reached by a step ladder for servicing. Just put it up high enough to be out of reach of bears. It doesn't have to be 15 ft. in the air. No working parts to fail, no up-keep ........ and no bears !!

 

[Honker]

My brother just started keeping bees last year. It was a bit of a learning curve for him, because there are differing philosophies. He did pretty well last year with his initial 2 hives even though it was supposedly a difficult year. He kept his hives at home last year to keep an eye on them and hopefully shorten the learning curve a little. This season he is planning on moving them up to the property in the spring.

 

[Big Snow Man]

I have some customers who raise bees. My suggestion would be to look for a "bee club" in your area. Usually they get together and have group buys on bees and supplies or loan out hives for the year and have years of experience on raising them.

 

[2ndHand]

My brother just started keeping bees last year. It was a bit of a learning curve for him, because there are differing philosophies. He did pretty well last year with his initial 2 hives even though it was supposedly a difficult year. He kept his hives at home last year to keep an eye on them and hopefully shorten the learning curve a little. This season he is planning on moving them up to the property in the spring.

Hey Honker, Did your brother wrap the hive before moving them? If yes, what did he use? I would like to start a couple of hives next year but am concerned with winter survival being over 2 hours away. Thanks!

 

[Honker]

Hi 2ndHand, he hasn't moved then up there yet this spring, so I'm not sure if he's planning on wrapping them, but I'll find out. The way it was described to me was that he will wait for a chilly morning so all the bees are in the hive, close up the entrance and place them up at the property. He'll open up the entrance when they are in place, as it warms they'll then start foraging. I'll find out his plans exactly in a week when I head up there and report back.

He'll bring them back in the fall, so the winter isn't as harsh and he doesn't have a bear risk at his place.

 

[Honker]

Hey Honker, Did your brother wrap the hive before moving them? If yes, what did he use? I would like to start a couple of hives next year but am concerned with winter survival being over 2 hours away. Thanks!

I talked to him today, he's planning on closing them up on a cool night and ratchet strapping them tightly together and trucking them up to their new location.

 

[2ndHand]

Hi 2ndHand, he hasn't moved then up there yet this spring, so I'm not sure if he's planning on wrapping them, but I'll find out. The way it was described to me was that he will wait for a chilly morning so all the bees are in the hive, close up the entrance and place them up at the property. He'll open up the entrance when they are in place, as it warms they'll then start foraging. I'll find out his plans exactly in a week when I head up there and report back.

He'll bring them back in the fall, so the winter isn't as harsh and he doesn't have a bear risk at his place.

I talked to him today, he's planning on closing them up on a cool night and ratchet strapping them tightly together and trucking them up to their new location.

Thanks Honker - I might try the same process next year. Appreciate the info!!

 

[Bowsnbucks]

As I was pruning yesterday, I noticed the bee hive was red-hot active. Hundreds of honey bees going in & out all day. I guess they over - wintered in good shape.

 

[Steve Oehlenschlager]

I had 4 hives last year and almost 400#'s of Honey. They didn't winter so well this year. Lost some this winter. I couldn't get any weight to the hives last fall. They just would not take the feed.

 

[Peeps]

My wife and kids set up the first hive today. The second set of bees arrives on Thursday.

 

[Merle Hawggard]

You fellas are quite fortunate. I'd love to have a few hives, but sadly a bee sting sends me to the emergency room. A neighbour of mine just brought in hives so I should get plenty of pollinators, but I'd still like my own honey.

 

[Peeps]

Couple updated pics from the hives.

 

[Peeps]

 

[Peeps]

A water hole for the bees.

 

[Bill]

Looks like at least one isn't a good swimmer :)

 

[Peeps]

Looks like at least one isn't a good swimmer :)

Swim at own risk. No lifeguard on duty.