Hi, I'm from North Carolina, My husband and I have had bees off and on for about 20 years. We lost about 30 hives in 1995 and didn't pick any more up for almost 8 years later. The two oldest hives are about three years old. And this year we picked up about 8 more swarms for a total of 10. I am an embalmer and my husband works for a garbage company. What a combination!! This year has been getting out the equipment and cleaning up after 8 years of nonuse. I have enjoyed looking through the forum and getting answers, and quite a few chuckles too.
Have a beautiful day.
Welcome to the forums lovelyembalmer. Lots of friendly people here, lots of us old guys to so just stick to bees. No business solicitations..... :shock:
Hello and Welcome!
What an interesting username! Several years ago when I was laid-off and considering a change in careers I briefly looked into morturary science. I figured the baby-boomer generation represented a significant customer base, but I ended up back in a cubicle job.
This is a great forum for learning about bees. I use the 'search' function regularly: very often I find that my question has already been discussed and I can find an immediate answer.
Are you connected with a local bee club? That's another way to stay on top of all the changes in beekeeping techniques. Plus, I just like hanging out with other beeks!
Lovelyembalmer, welcome to our forum, so nice that you are here. You have had experience (and lots of it) with the bees, you may have some interesting stories, so bring 'em on, hee, hee (and we love pictures too, by the way). You will find this to be a great place to spend time, a very friendly place, and you will make some new friends. Our internet is the most wonderful place, we come together from all over the world, we are family. Have a beautiful and most wonderful day, lovin' this life we live. Cindi
Thank you for the welcome :'(Sorry my job is so sad. but I love it anyway!! I always tell people, I want them to come see me because they want to (to talk) not because they have to. Any way, my stories about bees are not to happy. We had the 30 hives and then lost all to Foulbrood (a hive from my father-in-law who had died) that was a loss we took very hard because it was a hive with two brood boxes and about five supers, plus it was a hive that had been around since about 1978 or 1979. The rest were swarms and bought bees and they ended up with t-mites and v-mites which weakened them and then came the wax moths. What mess. That is why we are looking for ways to keep them out. Now we have hive beetles. :(
Lovelyembalmer. You perform a service that would be a difficult one I am sure. Your job must be a toughy, but so needed. Everyone does pass.
Look on the bright side about the "sad" stories of the bees that you lost. You know what these diseases and afflictions of the bees are, you have first hand knowledge. That will be an aid for you in ever ascertaining if their is any unwellness with your colonies, so that is a good thing. It is sad that you lost that colony of your Fathers, after it had been around for so many, many years, I really mean that. Keep on keepin on', the bees have you captive under their spell....you know that. Awesome day in this wonderful life, Cindi