Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: danno on December 03, 2014, 09:23:30 PM

Title: beekeeping
Post by: danno on December 03, 2014, 09:23:30 PM
Just hit unread topics and there was 13.   11 were coffee house.   Times they are a changing
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: hjon71 on December 03, 2014, 10:42:31 PM
Quote from: danno on December 03, 2014, 09:23:30 PM
Just hit unread topics and there was 13.   11 were coffee house.   Times they are a changing

Hahaha beekeeping is on the back burner for most North American beeks. Gotta have something to talk about. 
:mrgreen: Can you dig it?
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: BlueBee on December 03, 2014, 11:04:27 PM
Some of us already know how to keep bees  :laugh:
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: iddee on December 03, 2014, 11:21:28 PM
Wish you would teach me. Been at it 38 years and my bees still die.
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: danno on December 04, 2014, 08:48:41 AM
Quote from: BlueBee on December 03, 2014, 11:04:27 PM
Some of us already know how to keep bees  :laugh:
Now I don't remember Is it jan or feb that you give yours water in MICHIGAN.   That is if they live that long
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: CBT on December 06, 2014, 09:54:51 PM
Quote from: iddee on December 03, 2014, 11:21:28 PM
Wish you would teach me. Been at it 38 years and my bees still die.
Boy I hope bees are not part of your retirement plan!😉
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Kathyp on December 07, 2014, 11:02:27 AM
every winter is like this and every winter someone notes it.  if it were not for our Australian friends, i don't think we'd have any bee topics in the winter   :-D

OK.  here's some beekeeping stuff...

My hives are still out there and upright!
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Eric Bosworth on December 08, 2014, 08:13:03 AM
Quote from: kathyp on December 07, 2014, 11:02:27 AM

OK.  here's some beekeeping stuff...

My hives are still out there and upright!


Yeah well bears are starting to go into hibernation....
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Kathyp on December 08, 2014, 01:23:20 PM
 :-D
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: rdy-b on December 10, 2014, 05:07:15 AM
Quote from: danno on December 03, 2014, 09:23:30 PM
Just hit unread topics and there was 13.   11 were coffee house.   Times they are a changing

yes we are coming out of the CCD era and the big push for beekeeping by hobbyists have run there course -
its not easy- and most that gave a whole hearted try are held in high regard by me-truth be told its a money
pit to keep bees for a hobby-the chattier will continue its redundant form in the spring--you have ask a question
bring on the decision-i only do bees -coffeehouse can be found many places--RDY-B
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Dallasbeek on December 10, 2014, 12:15:38 PM
If hobby beekeeping has "run it's course," why are bees suppliers selling out of bees earlier each year?  Some of the big suppliers used to have nucs for sale in January and even February (for delivery in April or May), but now are selling out in December. 

The number of beekeepers in the US is still below the numbers reported 40 or 50 years ago, according to some figures I've seen.  I see more people getting into beekeeping as Boomers retire, it seems.
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: GSF on December 10, 2014, 01:40:29 PM
The State of Alabama, and probably some other states, are offering grants for first time beekeepers. I don't think it has ran it's course. I'm sure my community doesn't set the national trend, but I know of two new folks who's put in for the grant money and a couple more who's been asking me a lot of questions. Our beekeeping club/association has two or three couples who don't even have bees yet. Truth is, anything new will get old and the interest will fade. I just don't think we're there yet.
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Dallasbeek on December 10, 2014, 03:19:48 PM
Yep.  At our beekeepers association potluck dinner last night I met two first-year beekeepers --- and one former hobby beekeeper who now has 120 hives!  She's not yet at the professional level, but she's getting there.
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Highlander on December 10, 2014, 07:31:55 PM
A bit cold here to do much with the bees right now, snow, rain, ice....I do WANT to go and look in on them, but...

Hobby bee keeping has far form run its course. I stared two years ago and love it, I have two close neighbors who have taken up keeping bees because of mine. We have several dozen one or two hive set ups within a ten mile radius, no one is looking beyond the hobby level...well, except me.. I am thinking of it.   Plus, its really a nice fun hobby fro me.

Cruachan!
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: danno on December 10, 2014, 08:14:28 PM
Quote from: kathyp on December 07, 2014, 11:02:27 AM
every winter is like this and every winter someone notes it.  if it were not for our Australian friends, i don't think we'd have any bee topics in the winter   :-D

OK.  here's some beekeeping stuff...

My hives are still out there and upright!

Its not just this time of year.   I have been here for 8 years now and this has turned into a coffee house with blueboy pushing all your buttons.   
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Kathyp on December 10, 2014, 09:20:32 PM
He does that   :-D

you don't have to read it though.  there's still plenty of beekeeping stuff.  
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: BlueBee on December 11, 2014, 01:44:53 AM
Buttons?  What buttons?

It's hockey season Danno, my bees are waiting for another Red Wings report.  :)
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: rdy-b on December 11, 2014, 04:40:38 AM
Quote from: danno on December 10, 2014, 08:14:28 PM
Quote from: kathyp on December 07, 2014, 11:02:27 AM
every winter is like this and every winter someone notes it.  if it were not for our Australian friends, i don't think we'd have any bee topics in the winter   :-D

OK.  here's some beekeeping stuff...

My hives are still out there and upright!

Its not just this time of year.   I have been here for 8 years now and this has turned into a coffee house with blueboy pushing all your buttons.   
get out of the coffe house-start a new pattern--lead dont follow--my man its the winter blues-cali or snow bound states
dont let go of he magic beekeeping gives to use all
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: rdy-b on December 11, 2014, 05:21:33 AM
Quote from: GSF on December 10, 2014, 01:40:29 PM
The State of Alabama, and probably some other states, are offering grants for first time beekeepers. I don't think it has ran it's course. I'm sure my community doesn't set the national trend, but I know of two new folks who's put in for the grant money and a couple more who's been asking me a lot of questions. Our beekeeping club/association has two or three couples who don't even have bees yet. Truth is, anything new will get old and the interest will fade. I just don't think we're there yet.
YES BAMA has lead fore front in this regard -my hat is off to you and your state-keep posting--the money is a GOD send
but what about the laws that preteen to transport of open comb and bees --that pertain to intestate travel to-- and from state
isn't there a big choke hold on the ability of keepers to hold or transport bees to cali for almond pollination--Its a give and take
if you had enough bees to fill tractor trailer -would your thoughts lean the other way--find out about the laws pertaining to
bees on comb traveling thorough ALABAMA --keep a open mind and remember its most wanted by any hobbyist that they will
some day make a living from bees----its a blessed thing --RDY-B
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: GSF on December 11, 2014, 06:17:12 AM
If I'm wrong hopefully some of my fellow 'bama beeks will correct me. Here's my understanding of the comb law. Yes, if you're a commercial pollinator you can pull your bees through Alabama. However, if you're out of state and want to sell bees inside Alabama it's packages only,  no comb. Some give that law credit with keeping AFB/EFB at low to almost non existence levels in our state. I'm not versed enough to say one way or the other.
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: rdy-b on December 13, 2014, 03:23:33 AM
Quote from: GSF on December 11, 2014, 06:17:12 AM
If I'm wrong hopefully some of my fellow 'bama beeks will correct me. Here's my understanding of the comb law. Yes, if you're a commercial pollinator you can pull your bees through Alabama. However, if you're out of state and want to sell bees inside Alabama it's packages only,  no comb. Some give that law credit with keeping AFB/EFB at low to almost non existence levels in our state. I'm not versed enough to say one way or the other.

but would you say that BAMA would be a good wintering state??--AFB is becoming a fairy tail these days--intro travel from Australia
is -and has been-for front against pathogens and spread of vectoring hosts-we need to keep a clean house in the USA so we are not overwhelm  by problems that are not already managed in the USA--dose BAMA give us the footing required by all or is it a self
postulating event???
RDY-B
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: GSF on December 13, 2014, 06:41:40 AM
<dose BAMA give us the footing required by all or is it a self postulating event???

...don't know if I understand your question here but I'll answer it the best I can. It's a state thing.

Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Paul Reyes on December 13, 2014, 03:23:05 PM
I guess they will always be new beekeepers, and enough room for everyone to join in.
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: jayj200 on December 13, 2014, 03:38:24 PM
my understand is AFB is rare
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Richard M on December 13, 2014, 04:50:26 PM
Quote from: kathyp on December 07, 2014, 11:02:27 AM
every winter is like this and every winter someone notes it.  if it were not for our Australian friends, i don't think we'd have any bee topics in the winter   :-D

OK.  here's some beekeeping stuff...

My hives are still out there and upright!


My American beekeeping books are exciting though but, my favourite bits are the sections on dealing with grizzlies and/or skunks in your apiary.

That's dedication. It's pretty boring here by comparison
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: BlueBee on December 14, 2014, 05:37:50 PM
Michigan has finally gotten a bit of a winter break today.  It's been foggy and cloudy all day but it did get into the upper 40s for the first time in many weeks.  

I heard this strange buzzing noise coming from the back yard. :?  Sounds like I'm still in the bee keeping business for another year  :-D
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Dallasbeek on December 14, 2014, 07:33:03 PM
It ain't over till it's over -- winter, that is.  My fig tree thinks it's spring.  We had one or two freezes and it lost its leaves, but now it's budding out.  It's going to be surprised when January gets here and it's really cold.  One year I had basil growing in the garden until January 1, when everything froze.  Texas weather is totally unpredictable.  Today I was in a tee shirt.  Next week I may be wearing a heavy coat.  Go figure.  You may just be catching some El Nino weather, Blue.
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: rdy-b on December 15, 2014, 12:57:44 AM
Quote from: jayj200 on December 13, 2014, 03:38:24 PM
my understand is AFB is rare
thats what the fairy tail comment was getting at-there was a poster that made the comment *its a state thing*
perhaps they are reading old bee books(the state officials)-or perhaps the influx of state money keep in state is the driving force
--education must keep up with technology-and the funds that are generated by both-the old- bees on comb law
Have a propensity to keep the funds in state--but is this best for beekeeping -the industry has surpassed and overcome
wax moths and AFB-the list goes on from fire ants-to cerana from australia--there is big concern about boarders being open
canada and mexico--there is much federal concern with free trade and dumping fees for a lose of dollars to us AG--I just think
the state laws pertaining to bees on comb are antique for the industries needs--RDY-B
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Chiefman on December 17, 2014, 08:19:48 AM
We have seen our bee club membership explode in the last few months. Many of the new members are women who are first time beekeepers and with only backyards to keeps their hives.
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: rdy-b on December 18, 2014, 03:39:21 AM
Quote from: Chiefman on December 17, 2014, 08:19:48 AM
We have seen our bee club membership explode in the last few months. Many of the new members are women who are first time beekeepers and with only backyards to keeps their hives.
yes sir thats a good thing for australia-- ;) RDY-B
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: 10framer on December 21, 2014, 11:19:18 PM
wouldn't bother me if every state closed the borders for a few years.  i doubt afb is rare, it's more likely not recognized or never reported.  georgia doesn't require inspections as long as you don't sell bees.  i ave a neighbor that feds his year round and mixes antibiotics into the feed.  what do you think that's doing?  how many more people treat just to do it?  i keep bees in georgia and would also keep them in alabama if it weren't for the law.  i don't think it's a bad thing, though.  migratory pollination is very hard on bees (i've done it and took losses before the varroa was even in the states) and i don't really like the idea of bees that have been exposed to other bees from every state and all their strains of what ever being wintered within flying distance of my hives. 
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Eric Bosworth on December 29, 2014, 01:56:08 PM
In the early to mid '90s my parents got out of beekeeping. It started with serious difficulty keeping bees alive throughout the winter. Then they got AFB and had to burn everything. By that time it just wasn't fun anymore for them. While i do not totally agree with 10framer about closing borders for a few years I think he does have a point. In New Yuck to transport bees you need a health check. How often that is enforced is another question. Anything is legal if you don't get caught. I doubt highly that bees are inspected before being transported in New Yuck.
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Dallasbeek on December 29, 2014, 03:27:53 PM
Texas law requires some kind of certificate of inspection OR an affidavit that the apiary from which queens originate is free of disease, pests, etc. I've never seen anything like this accompanying queens I've bought, whether originating in Texas or from any other state.  Other parts of the Texas Agriculture Code require permits to move from one county to another, but authorization to move freely is available if a beekeeper does cutouts, swarm removals or whatever.  I know of people on that list.  I don't know anybody that applies for a permit to move their hive to a neighboring county.  The bureaucrats could tie beekeepers up a million ways if given a chance, but ignorance is bliss, I guess.
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: Michael Bush on December 29, 2014, 03:34:14 PM
>It's pretty boring here by comparison

When I started beekeeping in 1974 I had no skunk issues (not until 2003) and I've never lived where there were bears.  It wasn't "boring" just because bees are so interesting, but it wasn't challenging in the way it is now with Varroa and small hive beetles etc.
Title: Re: beekeeping
Post by: jayj200 on December 29, 2014, 06:26:57 PM
Quote from: danno on December 10, 2014, 08:14:28 PM
Quote from: kathyp on December 07, 2014, 11:02:27 AM
every winter is like this and every winter someone notes it.  if it were not for our Australian friends, i don't think we'd have any bee topics in the winter   :-D

OK.  here's some beekeeping stuff...

My hives are still out there and upright!

Its not just this time of year.   I have been here for 8 years now and this has turned into a coffee house with blueboy pushing all your buttons.   
Ya gotta push back