New to bees in Wash.State.

[Elle]

Hey I don't have any bees yet.  My dad had bees many years ago.  I have his smoker and uncapping knife and extractor. 

I can't wait to get started, and I am deciding between TBH and Langs.  I only want one hive, I don't know if that is possible. 

My problem right now, besides money to get started, is I need somewhere nearby to situate them.  I hope to have studied enough to get this all set up by next spring.  I am on a learning curve so all help is appreciated. 

I am on the West side of Washington State:  It is cold and rainy here and there are volcanoes.  Bees can't scare me after I heard Mt. St. Helens blow, some years ago.  (Or can they scare me?) Heh.

[splitrock]

Welcome aboard Elle!!

One hive should work just fine for you.

I guess you will eventually find out if a few bees can scare you. :-D

Joel

[slacker361]

Welcome

[AllenF]

If you already have a uncapping knife and extractor, then you may want to stay with langs.   You are already half way there.

[Kathyp]

and consider two hives.  that way if one gets into trouble you have some resources from the other to help out.

[eivindm]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

I joined beemaster.com 4 years before I got my first hibe :-)  I hope you will get your first faster than I did. I live in an apartment, so I can't have my hives at home, but I got a permission from the park and forrest service in Oslo (capitol of Norway) to have my hives in the forrest owned by the city. You have something to look forward to!

As mentioned by others I really recomend at least two hives.  If you loose one hive after winter, or the queen fails etc. You have the other hive to make a split or provide eggs for a new queen etc.  Half the work is getting to the hive, light the smoker, dress up etc.  It is not much more work with two hives than one, just twice as much honey :-)

[indypartridge]

Hello and Welcome!

I'm sure you'll find this forum to be a good resource for learning more about bees and beekeeping. Be sure to check out the tutorials on the main Beemaster page - that's where I started over six years ago.

I also recommend getting involved with a local beekeeping club. Clubs are great for finding mentors and getting connected to nearby beekeepers. Hopefully there's one near you:
http://www.wasba.org/local.htm

[Elle]

Hi.

The county fair is on right now, and the local beekeepers ALWAYS have an exhibit there.  I have been waiting for this.  So on the first day of the fair, I got myself down there to talk to them.  I filled out a paper and so I guess I am IN to the beekeepers!  They told me when their meetings are and the next meeting is in September and I will be there.  They also had a dandy exhibit with Real Live Bees but the bees didn't have a tube to the outside, they were trapped in a small window box with some honey and comb.  I'll bet THEY will be cranky when they get out.  Whooeeee.

I understand the bee people have books to borrow.  That's probably what I need first.

And I hope there are people who will mentor me and get me started on the right track.  I still need somewhere to put these bees.  My back yard is not an option.  I'll bet I get some GOOD ideas from these folks.  I've been reading everything I can on this board, as well.

I'll let you know that great day when I am an official beekeeper.  I can't wait.

Elle

[Kathyp]

i get calls all the time with people wanting me to put bees on their land.  just be careful and have a written agreement with anyone you deal with.  you don't want to lose your hives because you "gave" them to someone, or have any liability.
most folks are nice but it only takes one bad character and you are in trouble.

someone with a few acres and a good garden they want pollinated, or someone who grows some fruit trees and berries are good options.

[Elle]

i get calls all the time with people wanting me to put bees on their land.  just be careful and have a written agreement with anyone you deal with.  you don't want to lose your hives because you "gave" them to someone, or have any liability.

Oooh.  I did not realize.  I will get it written.  THANKS.
Elle