Honey(bees) - 150 pounds in my near future

[uncle eddie]

I've got this weird split rail fence set-up in my front yard. Instead of posts to hold the rails, there's brick boxes, maybe 2'x2'x3' tall.

About 4 yrs ago I noticed honey bees were occupying one of the boxes. Went on the local FB searching for someone to come gather them since I wanted to remove the fence but didn't want to kill the hive. All responses wanted to charge me a few hundo $$ to come out.

4 yrs later they're still there! Seems like the hive splits at least twice a year down here in FL. I now enjoy watching the same local FB group when I notice the decline in bee activity. Never fails that someone else is asking about bee removal for a swarm that "just showed up".

Strangely enough, it seems that the local hotties seem to get free bee removal services

They're mellow and I can stand right next to the hive without issue. They aren't even bothered by mowing. Figure I'll keep them around as long as I can.

F Florida Chris - many areas have a local bee club. Try checking for that. Buying bee's is expensive. Catching a swarm is free - other than time. I bet someone at the local "county" bee club would remove the hive for free.

As for the bee's being "chill" - awesome. I bet u may have had a few bees "check you out" and then fly back to the hive - "scout bees." I have 3 hives - one is totally chill, one is occasionally aggravated, and one can get a little on the "pissy" side if I do something they don't like. Typically, the more "aggressive" the hive, the more honey they make.

As for the hive splitting/or swarming once per year - that is normal. They have filled their "space" with comb and once there are too many bees for the hive, the queen will lay some "queen cells." A new queen will arise from that and about 1/2 of the hive will swarm to a new location. The old queen will lay eggs filling the old hive and the new queen will try to do the same at the new location. They build comb fast! Unfortunately, only about 10% of swarms (in Missouri) survive the following winter.

 

[uncle eddie]

Awesome thread.
What do you have for uncapping and extracting equipment? I assume a hot knife and a gravity drip system.

One of my partners at work has 20+ hives. I will borrow his extraction equipment. We use a 4-frame centrifuge to spin the honey out of the comb.

 

[uncle eddie]

My Cousin started honey bees about 4 years ago. And is doing ok and having fun with it as he is retired now. Sells it in a few small markets and stores around his area.

DRKsmoking - I have 2 wonderful granddaughters that I want, very much, to make some money from our farm. Honey is one part of the equation...wildflower seed pods is another.

 

[DRKsmoking]

I have 2 wonderful granddaughters that I want, very much, to make some money from our farm. Honey is one part of the equation...wildflower seed pods is another.

That is great in a lot of ways . Get some great business learning, money in their pockets. And good way to meet new people with the selling and manufacturing. etc etc

Great idea Ed

David

 

[mneeley490]

Sounds like a wonderful hobby/business venture.
I love honey, and I don't have anything against honeybees. But they, and almost every other flying, stinging insect seems to have a problem with me; like I'm their mortal enemy. My mother used to tell me that they were attracted by my red hair. But my cousin had red hair too, and they didn't seem to bother him. The only thing I can think of, is that I must put out some pheromone that they don't like. C'mon, guys! I shower regularly.

 

[pineywoods]

Congrats on getting into the bees it can be fun. As Keith/Jck Danls said I used to have bees at one time I was up to about 165 hives at that point it's not fun anymore it's work. I was down to about 75 hives when Hurricane Michael hit our area and left me with 0 hives. Double deeps with 3-5 supers on them aren't a match for 150 or so mph winds. I haven't gotten any bees since then

 

[mike243]

While I love honey I don't have the desire to deal with them, my interest is more in the lines of bee health, I am hoping nothing happened to them and that he just got some new boxes made and swarms gathered, the best honey I have ever ate came from a apple orchard that the man had peach tree's also, there was a back taste of peaches, I didn't share that jar with many folks

 

[Fueling Around]

...
I love honey, and I don't have anything against honeybees. But they, and almost every other flying, stinging insect seems to have a problem with me; like I'm their mortal enemy.
...

I used to seasonally work for a beekeeping venture. My first couple of weeks sucked until my titer (natural resistance) built up and I didn't swell up as the prize fighter's sparing partner.

 

[uncle eddie]

Congrats on getting into the bees it can be fun. As Keith/Jck Danls said I used to have bees at one time I was up to about 165 hives at that point it's not fun anymore it's work. I was down to about 75 hives when Hurricane Michael hit our area and left me with 0 hives. Double deeps with 3-5 supers on them aren't a match for 150 or so mph winds. I haven't gotten any bees since then

Wow - 150 mph winds! Bee's didn't stand a chance!

That is way too many hives for me...I am hoping for 2 more swarms this spring and staying steady at 5 hives this year.