bees, how do i start?

[MummyPuppy]

Hello i am new to this internet thingy. I have had a yen to keep bees for a long time, and would like to know where to start.

could any one help?

thanks

[Snadger]

Your local agricultural/hoticultural college will probably run courses. Kirkly Hall, which is my local college definately do bee keeping courses because like you, I fancy a go...just haven't got off my backside and chased it up yet!

[nick the grief]

The local Beekeeping Association may well run courses too, the only trouble is, the bees don't go on the courses so don't rea;ise how they should behave Lol!!

Try looking on here to see where your nearest contact is.

http://www.bbka.org.uk/members.php

[sewer rat]

I was thinking about getting a couple of hives for my market garden venture and wasn't sure how to go about it, but I was landscaping a garden at work on Friday and the wifey happened to mention that her dad was giving up beekeeping and is looking to rehome three hives - guess where they're gonna be living ?
It's a shame his beekeepers outfit won't fit!
What I actually meant to say before I got too eager with the submit button is that I get the impression that Beekeepers are like lottie holders - very helpful and prepared to take the time to help newbies out with advice, second hand hives atc so when you find a society of keeper near you, you should be up and running in no time - well, as soonas you get hold of a swarm anyway

[Earthbabe]

Hi I did a beekeeping - how to start course at one of the local FE colleges. Very informative plus a chance to handle a hive. Although I don't yet have a hive of my own I am planning that for next spring. I have however had the opportunity to help a local beekeeper with his bees as he had had open heart surgery and couldn't lift anything. Phew what a learning curve. Covered lots of things only briefly mentioned in the course because I was dealing with an established colony. Really good though. Your local beekeeping association will probably run open meetings for people with an interest. It may cost a few pounds to join but you will learn heaps and that bit is actually very sociable. It also gives you an inkling of whether it is for you. Very important as when hubby had his first experience, despite being generally v. placid etc. and wanting to get involved, it gave him the heebee jeebees( - no pun intended). Opening a hive for the first time is really something. And as NTG says the bees don't read the books or go to the evening classes.

Your local library will probably have some books. General text is Ted Hooper's Guide to Bees and Honey. latest edition is 2001 I think.

Give it a go. The reward is your own honey which tastes far superior to general bland supermarket stuff and if you keep the bees where your veggies and fruit grow you have a complete cycle going for you.

[nick the grief]

............- guess where they're gonna be living ?
It's a shame his beekeepers outfit won't fit!

I'm sure you get a buzz out of it Rat They are fascinating creatures, I worked for some one when I was at school (what a memory ) & he had 5 hives. I spent hours watching them go in & out. Bert used to talk to them (mind you he was as mad as I am Lol!) & your supposed to tap the hive three times & tell them when someone dies ....... buggered if I know why

[Earthbabe]

& your supposed to tap the hive three times & tell them when someone dies ....... buggered if I know why

That's a new one on me NTG. Are you sure that memory of yours is working?

[nick the grief]

Thats what I was always told. i suppose some of these beekeepers are a bit short on friends so they have to talk to the bees instead

[Alice]

I know I've posted this before, but last year we had a small swarm of bees (about 11,000) turn up in the garden and had to call a beekeeper to come and deal with the situation.It was fascinating to watch him. No problem at all. He took them all away. He said he only had about 100 hives now. He was 75 but looked about 50. Must be all that royal jelly.

[MummyPuppy]

thank you all for your advice and encouragement

[Snadger]

The local Beekeeping Association may well run courses too, the only trouble is, the bees don't go on the courses so don't rea;ise how they should behave Lol!!

Try looking on here to see where your nearest contact is.

http://www.bbka.org.uk/members.php

Bit like fishing really....fish don't read books either!!! LOl

[Earthbabe]

Any luck so far Mummy Puppy? I am off to help put Varroa strips in the hives I have been helping with tomorrow, weather permitting. Mr E has signed up to do the "Beekeeping - how to start" course at a local college and I am pondering the merits of different sorts of hive.

Would love to know how you are getting on with your enquiries etc.

[NOG]

You normallly start with a mummy bee and a daddy bee who love each other very much.

[nick the grief]

Good one!! A NOG after my own heart

[Earthbabe]

Only thing is it doesn't explain how to keep them. Do bees have a relate service? I think not.