Any fellow Apiarists’ here on the “Fishing Stage?”: No doubt I’ve got way too many hobbies! But whether it’s for fun, for pollination, for the honey, or just being a good steward, I...

Glenn R. Loc: Southern Illinois

No doubt I’ve got way too many hobbies! But whether it’s for fun, for pollination, for the honey, or just being a good steward, I was curious how many others here keep honeybee’s. I’ve been at it since 1997. Still learn something new each year.

I try to always maintain two hives, the top picture is a 3 pound package of bees I just started, and have the sugar syrup feed on the inside on top of the frames because it’s been so cold at night. There are bees flying in front of the entrance but they’re hard to see. I’ll keep them on sugar syrup while they raise brood and grow the colony. My Apple trees are in full bloom and the other established hive has them covered in bees.

By early summer both of my hives will look like pic.#3, I hope it’s another good harvest.

Best Regards, Glenn

Sport Loc: Sacramento county north. California

Glenn R. wrote:

No doubt I’ve got way too many hobbies! But whethe... (show quote)

Very nice, several times I helped my boss,friend retrieve swarms. Folks call him, he'd call me. He'd climb a tree, cut a limb with a swarm big as a soccer ball. Hand it to me. I'd gently put it in the box. Moved his hive to a clover field. Nine boxes in my truck bed. Drove gently nine miles, sat in the truck 1/2 hour waiting for them to catch up. Stacked 'em neat. No stings.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Glenn R. wrote:

No doubt I’ve got way too many hobbies! But whethe... (show quote)

Not for me Glenn, but a good view to enjoy from this side of the screen. One hobby i don't think i will ever pick up on.

Thanks for the pics

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Glenn R. wrote:

No doubt I’ve got way too many hobbies! But whethe... (show quote)

My brother-in-law raises bees, he has done it most of his life. I know very little about it, except that I have to buy my honey from him, and I think that sucks. But it is good honey.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

They say local honey is good for preventing allergies. We get ours from The local Farmer’s Market. Milking those bees must take a lot of time as that honey is not cheap 😉
Unfortunately, not many bees in our neighborhood.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

I used to have two big mason bee hotels that I made out of two big oak stumps but they rotted and I never rebuilt them. I think they helped the bee population, but how do you know? I do have a big raspberry patch and they seem to be loaded with bees.

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

OJdidit wrote:

They say local honey is good for preventing allergies. We get ours from The local Farmer’s Market. Milking those bees must take a lot of time as that honey is not cheap 😉
Unfortunately, not many bees in our neighborhood.

I have heard that about local honey helping with allergies also. A guy close to where I live sits out front of his house on the street all day. Sells honey and little containers of pollen.
Have thought about getting hives. Hutch talks about doing it.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

kandydisbar wrote:

I have heard that about local honey helping with allergies also. A guy close to where I live sits out front of his house on the street all day. Sells honey and little containers of pollen.
Have thought about getting hives. Hutch talks about doing it.

Be careful Kandy that guy is an undercover cop. It's a sting operation.

Sorry, sooner or later someone had to bring a sting into this thread.

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

plumbob wrote:

Be careful Kandy that guy is an undercover cop. It... (show quote)

bwa ha

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

kandydisbar wrote:

bwa ha

Hey just looking out for my surfing buddy.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

The only bees you see out collecting nectar from flowers are females they are the only bees that fly outside the hive and I believe the don't live long and only make like a couple of tablespoons of honey in there life which I believe to be less than 6 mths🇺🇸👍

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

kandydisbar wrote:

I have heard that about local honey helping with allergies also. A guy close to where I live sits out front of his house on the street all day. Sells honey and little containers of pollen.
Have thought about getting hives. Hutch talks about doing it.

Glad I never had Hives, hear they really itch.

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

HenryG wrote:

The only bees you see out collecting nectar from flowers are females they are the only bees that fly outside the hive and I believe the don't live long and only make like a couple of tablespoons of honey in there life which I believe to be less than 6 mths🇺🇸👍

Now I didn't know that!

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

Kerry Hansen wrote:

Glad I never had Hives, hear they really itch.

Actually had such a severe case as a little tyke I had to go to hospital. They thought I had Scarlet Fever. Turned out to be a long list of allergies. My immune system is extremely individualistic, lol. Hence not being able to take the vaccination. Glad I grew out of the chocolate, eggs, oranges, wheat ones. Still have dust tho.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Kerry Hansen wrote:

Now I didn't know that!

I have to correct my self they only live for 5 to 6 weeks and only produce a teaspoon and a half of honey in their lifetime. 🇺🇸😎👍