Seen many questions on beekeeping always asking if there are beekeepers around. How about listing beekeepers on this thread. Where located,how long keeping bees and how many hives. I,m located in SE. Mich started with 4 hives last year,lost one this winter, going for 6 this spring.Good place to met fellow beekeepers and have questions answered. Rgds. Bill in SE. Mich.

-- Bill Jaddatz (Billshsfrm@aol.com), March 18, 2002

Answers

Hi Bill, I am beginning beekeeping this year. I just picked up my beginner's kit this weekend and my bees are coming on April 6. I have the bottom board, inside board, and hive body completed. I still have the frames for the foundations and the top board to do. Then I can paint it. I still have to get another hive body and super. I'd appreciate all the advice and help anyone has to offer. - Sheryl

-- Sheryl in NJ (all295@aol.com), March 18, 2002.

6 hives, will go for more, used mainly for my Blueberry U-Pick. Although, I sell the honey to those I know. I will be putting in more hives as time goes. Debbie in SE Ok.

-- debbie in Ok. (bwolcott@cwis.net), March 18, 2002.

If you will go back to the question page, scroll to the bottom, there is a bee catagory with a lot of questions allready answered.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), March 18, 2002.

Mitch, This thread is mainly a sign in sheet for Countrysiders who keep bees and would like to know who else has some hives,plus it lets fellow beekeepers know a little about them and answer a question or two. Rgds Bill

-- Bill in SE . Mich (Billhsfrm@aol.com), March 18, 2002.

My brother and I are getting two hives this year, might help a neighbor tend a couple more. Next to zero experience, I caught a wild swarm last year and hived it, but it needed a new queen and died out. We're lucky to have an experienced bee keeper near, we can call in to show us some do's and don'ts.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), March 18, 2002.

I just ordered my first bees today, a Russian-Carniolan cross, and being an unconventional type, have decided to try top bar hives with open mesh bottoms, strictly organic. I'm in Everett, Western Washington. Hope this works!

-- Laura Jensen (lauraj@seedlaw.com), March 18, 2002.

I keep 4-5 hives in SE Kansas. I seem to be the one to call if there is a swarm in an unusual place, too. Last year it was on main street in a small tree in front of the Barber shop. I made quite a stir and people behaved as if I were demon possessed.....stopped traffic, police cars involved, gang on motorcycles at the bar across the street... made a nice little hive when we finally got them home.

-- Tana Mc (mcfarm@totelcsi.net), March 18, 2002.

My husband and I keep bees (5 hives) and are also active in the states Beekeeping Association.

-- Mary R. (cntryfolk@ime.net), March 18, 2002.

I had 2 hives last fall but lost one this winter. I'll be re- colonizing that hive. I have Italians but would like to try some of the more mite-resistant strains. The hive I lost was a Russian hive and I may try that again, or may opt for something else. I've been keeping bees for just a few years (4, I think), so I'm no expert. The main thing I know is that keeping bees is never boring...they are wild animals that we are trying to convince to accept our accomodations and share the wealth. They aren't domesticated and they reserve the right to change their collective mind! They're a lot of fun.

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), March 18, 2002.

My husband and 12 year old son keep 5 hives in our apple orchard. The honey produced on our farm (Cornucopia Farm) is absolutely delicious and fruity-flavored. We are pleased to be the exclusive honey providers to the famous "Inn at Little Washington" in Virginia.

-- Liz Rhein (merhein@shentel.net), March 18, 2002.

We have clover and alfalfa fields for bees. Hope to have yellow sweet clover this year, it's a biennial, that gives the white honey. Bees were all over the raspberry bushes last fall, they bloomed until it snowed. Trying to get pussy willows growing, bees take the pollen as soon as they bloom in early Spring.

-- Scott in IL (Farmerwebb@excite.com), March 18, 2002.

I have three hives-two more coming this week! Lost one last year-it was a weak hive and 'robber' bees stole all the honey. The bees that were left starved to death!:( I am a member of the NC Beekeepers and our county beekeepers Assc. It really helps me to go to the meetings and talk to keepers who have been doing this forever! One guy has been at it for 54yrs. another 51 years, Many more for 25+years. I have been keeping bees for only 2 years.

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), March 19, 2002.

this will be my second year with bees. i "studied" for about a year with a beekeeper in IL but this was sporadic as we both had weird schedules. all six hives died last year due to winter, so i got two more. i know one is doing strong as of a couple of months ago, the other seemed weaker.

we do topbar hives now, starting with last year, and so are experiementing and doing everything wrong. we deliberately put the hives in the shade, as bees build their hives in shadey spots, have the hives built waist high, etc. so it isn't so much about the honey yet, but about figuring out what bees like best, and having them be healthy and happy to pollinate all for us!

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), March 19, 2002.

We have only one hive at this time-in East Texas. Lost the hive we caught in a swarm last summer and didn't catch them this past summer. But, boy are they busy here right now!! All the fruit trees are blooming and the clovers just starting!! susie

-- susie yeager (susiemby@samlink.com), March 19, 2002.

I live in San Diego and have been keeping bees for five years. I started with one hive and have grown to five hives. Two years ago, when I had more time on my hands I got over 1000 pounds from my five hives. Two years ago the Africanized hybrid bees arrived in Southern California. Now we must replace our queens twice a year to be sure there are no "shy" bees in our hives. Two years ago I started a small bee removal business. I take the bees and kill the queen and introduce the new bees to my hives in an empty super. By the next day the two groups of bees are happy.

-- Pete Holtzen (purpleclay@mac.com), March 19, 2002.

I have been beekeeping for 4 yrs and have 8 hives, live in Oly Wa.

-- Laura (lauramleek@yahoo.com), March 19, 2002.

Bill Have been keeping bees for fortyfive commerialy. Retired six year ago. (cut down on number of hives from 1500 on 38 farms in 4 counties in two states,[WI & IL] to forty hives on four farms in two states.WI & KY]) Moved to South-central KY this winter and will have all my bees here soon. Am willing to take on apprentances and help folks learn the art of beekeeping. I am a past president of Wisconsin Honey Producers Ass. My wife is past secty for the gruop for many years. I'm still learning about the bee every day.

-- Butch (beefarm@scrtc.com), March 20, 2002.

Hiya This is the start of my 4th year by myself first winter i got bees to make it through :>). well i have 2 now and hopefully i can double them by splitting them this spring. im in Manhattan Kansas

-- Mike in KS (mhonk@kscable.com), March 25, 2002.