I want to start a hive of bees next year. I plan to buy the hive equipment this winter and order the bees early next spring. (live in NE IN - cold winters, hot summers; lots of blossoming fruit trees around, flowers, fields, herbs) I have been doing a lot of reading on the subject and asking questions of knowledgeable people. Does anyone have any suggestions for a beginning beekeeper? Perhaps something you wished you had known when first starting out.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), November 23, 1999

Answers

i have 12 beehives and i will give you a real simple answer ( lol ) hook up with an experienced beekeeper to mentor you.......you will be much better off.......good luck gene

-- gene ward (gward34847@aol.com), November 24, 1999.

I probably read most of the same books you have been reading. I have 16 hives and will be adding 10-15 next season. I would suggest two things:

1. Follow all the instructions and guidelines for treating your bees with various medications. Don't cut back--do it right, at the right times.

2. Go for a bee that is resistant to trachial mite--ARS YC1 Carniolans or Buckfasts. They'll make your life easier. Treat for mites anyway though--using grease patties.

3. Make sure there is water for the colony. My neighbor set up a small pond in her backyard and my bees thought it was club med.

4. Feed the colony a lot. One "old beekeeper" says to feed them for the entire first season. Doing this last year I found myself with a surplus on colonies started from packages.

The rest is a learning experience and I wouldn't cheat you of the pleasure of learning and making mistakes as you go. You might check the website for Penn State. They have a correspondence course on beekeeping and they did a very good 3 days seminar last spring. If they do it again I recommend taking it.

Any other questions just ask.

Jim Lindstrom Oak Forest, PA

-- Jim Lindstrom (jcrocket@alltel.net), November 25, 1999.

I started my first hive last year in nw MICH. I read every book I could get on beekeeping. I had a good harvest this year with 1/2 gallon of honey. More than I expected. Check with BLOSSOMLAND, they are in sw MICH, they have a web page, I called them alot after I got my NUC from them. E-MAIL me if I can help any.sopal@net-port.com

-- (sopal@net-port.com), November 29, 1999.

One other thing to remember is.......

A)None of the bees will have read the same book you have.

B)Don't get too sure of yourself until you have been beekeeping about 20 years and then remember A)

-- Laura (LauraLeekis@home.com), December 29, 2000.

ALL of the obove are good. Also find and join a local bee club, the old timers are a wealth of information. Some run a bee school in the spring. Just remember bees have been keeping themselves for years, its our job to help them. Much has been writen about bees (2d only to humans!) but bees don't read. Start small 2-5 hives, then learn from the bees. Find out what they need- then supply it. Every area is just a little different, keep this in mind when you read. As an example I just started a new keeper He was reading a book from down-under and was some what confused. Until I showed him where the book was from ! So what I do and when I do it will be similar to you just, the timing will be different. (I'm in New Hampshire). All of this goes back to joining a local club and learn from them! Greg 10 years with the bees and still learning.

-- Greg Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), December 29, 2000.