Beekeeping

[Geordie_Rob]

I would love to keep bees but my mrs has it as a strict no-no. I would go for the biobees approach aswell if I were to keep them. It looks a simpler system.

[In the Dark]

The Ted Hooper book is quoted by many to be the definitive guide
Seen several selling on Ebay
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guide-Bees-Honey...1904846513
From a survival point of view stockpiling sugar,foundation & varroa treatment would be necessary

[MaryN]

(10 February 2013, 09:07)T-oddity Wrote: If you wish to keep bees and not cost you a fortune check out this site

http://www.biobees.com/index.php

most main stream bee keepers will poo poo Phils approach, but it works for me, got three hives at the moment, just waiting to see how many make it throught the winter, after a very poor summer last year.

Great site, thanks. I'll order myself the book and bury myself in it. Would you mind if I picked your brains with regard to your own beekeeping experiences?

[Carnebwen]

Damn, my dad had loads I books about bee keeping. All hilarious pics in them because they are all older books from the 70s. We had 12 hives and sold honey in the local butcher my grandad worked at. I don't live with my parents anymore on account if being 34 so I can't see which books he has.

Sadly I got stung by a bee (trod on it) when I was 2 or 3 and now have a bad ass immune response to the venom.

Ill back up the geese as good guard animals too. We has a breeding pair to sell at the same butchers mentioned above. Wish I'd paid more attention to all this when i was younger, I miss it all now and I can see how useful a lot of these skills would have been now.

[MaryN]

(10 February 2013, 19:11)Carnebwen Wrote: Damn, my dad had loads I books about bee keeping. All hilarious pics in them because they are all older books from the 70s. We had 12 hives and sold honey in the local butcher my grandad worked at. I don't live with my parents anymore on account if being 34 so I can't see which books he has.

Sadly I got stung by a bee (trod on it) when I was 2 or 3 and now have a bad ass immune response to the venom.

Ill back up the geese as good guard animals too. We has a breeding pair to sell at the same butchers mentioned above. Wish I'd paid more attention to all this when i was younger, I miss it all now and I can see how useful a lot of these skills would have been now.

At least you had the experience when you were younger, and I'll bet it would all come flooding back when you needed it. I think you can get epi-pens for bee stings now.

[T-oddity]

(10 February 2013, 16:06)MaryN Wrote:

(10 February 2013, 09:07)T-oddity Wrote: If you wish to keep bees and not cost you a fortune check out this site

http://www.biobees.com/index.php

most main stream bee keepers will poo poo Phils approach, but it works for me, got three hives at the moment, just waiting to see how many make it throught the winter, after a very poor summer last year.

Great site, thanks. I'll order myself the book and bury myself in it. Would you mind if I picked your brains with regard to your own beekeeping experiences?

Ask away I'll help anyway I can, but would suggest using the biobees forum to see if there is anyone close to you, you can't beat having ago hands on, before trying to set yourself up.

[MaryN]

(11 February 2013, 13:58)T-oddity Wrote:

(10 February 2013, 16:06)MaryN Wrote:

(10 February 2013, 09:07)T-oddity Wrote: If you wish to keep bees and not cost you a fortune check out this site

http://www.biobees.com/index.php

most main stream bee keepers will poo poo Phils approach, but it works for me, got three hives at the moment, just waiting to see how many make it throught the winter, after a very poor summer last year.

Great site, thanks. I'll order myself the book and bury myself in it. Would you mind if I picked your brains with regard to your own beekeeping experiences?

Ask away I'll help anyway I can, but would suggest using the biobees forum to see if there is anyone close to you, you can't beat having ago hands on, before trying to set yourself up.

That's very kind - thanks very much.

[clv101]

Mary, I keep bees, they are great. Did you do your course with a local association? It's great to be involved with an association in the beginning, lots of a advice, equipment to borrow and maybe even free or cheap bees.

Regarding books, the BBKA recently updated their recommended reading list for the modules:
http://www.bbka.org.uk/files/library/boo...832549.pdf
I can personally recommend the Haynes Bee Manual (2011) for great illustrations, Hooper's Guide to Bees and Honey (5th. edition) (2010) - the classic text.

There's also fantastic free and on-line resources at BeeBase: https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase...pageid=167 and the Welsh BBKA: http://www.wbka.com/infostation.html

[Tartar Horde]

The Romans used Geese to protect Rome in its early days

[Straight Shooter]

Bees are on my list mary , but getting on with other more pressing stuff right now, but, there are courses locally, as soon as time allows I will get on with it, one of the best food sources and many uses.....and I have room ! keep us updated please