From What Source Or Method Did You Obtain Your First Bees?

[Ben Framed]

There are folks who do not yet have bees, who may wonder where to get their first bees. Where did you get yours?

For example, I got my first bees by doing a cut-out.

Phillip

[The15thMember]

I purchased two packages from a local supplier, Honey + the Hive, to get my first two hives. 

[Bob Wilson]

Feral colony bypassed my swarm boxes in the community, and just moved straight into the hive body waiting in my back yard.

[Ben Framed]

Wow Bob that was awesome!

[Brian MCquilkin]

The wife wanted bees for the garden. I saw some on crageslist for sale, it was just down the road from us. no suite, smoker no hive tool.
Picked them up got them home in the back seat of the car.
I looked at my wife and said crap what do we do now.  That one hive eventually turned in 150 at one stage.

[jtcmedic]

Bought them from a local commercial bee keeper.

[Lesgold]

After building my first hives and frames, I thought some bees might come in handy. Put my name down with my local council as a swarm catcher and eventually got a call from a local guy who had a swarm in a tree. The swarm was 20? up and was out on a skinny branch. Came up with a plan to stand on the second storey balcony of this guys house and use a pole saw to cut through the branch. My thinking was to catch the branch as it fell and then somehow get the bees to the ground after that. I actually had no idea about what I was doing. Cut through the branch OK and managed to catch it as it fell past me. In doing so I whip lashed the bees off the branch and they fell into a large mass on the ground. Bees were flying everywhere. The owner of the house ran inside and locked the door. It was absolute chaos. I ran back to the car and sat down for a while to catch my breath. I had no idea as to what I was going to do next. All the YouTube videos that I?d watched didn?t give me the answers that I wanted. This at the time was a stressful situation. I was sitting in the car scratching my head, trying to think of my next move and then an amazing thing happened. He swarm box was sitting right next to the large mass of bees on the ground. A few of them started walking in and then after about 10 minutes, 90% of the bees walked into the box. The owner of the house came out and was amazed at what he had just witnessed. I turned to him and calmly said that it was a good trick to have up your sleeve. Came back after dark that evening and picked up the box.

[Jim134]

        This was a 1957.. Which was a while ago.. I will tell you to the best of my memories ability.. LOL   I had a mentor.. He lived about 200 yds. from my house. He actually found an ad in bee culture.. This is the magazine A I Root published..  There Is there was a local
   A I Root dealer... About 40 miles from my home..  His name was Mr. Richardson.... Went down in my mentor's car... To pick out bee supply.. I believe he bought 5 package of bees... From jesup's bees...  In Jesup ,Georgia.   The bees were  Is delivered delivered by the mailman... A 3 pound package.. If I remember correctly the cost were about $6.00 S&H was $5.00  ..   Extra Queen bee for  only 80 cents .. With no shipping and handling....


                    BEE HAPPY  Jim 134   

[Acebird]

Bought them from a local commercial bee keeper.

Same here.  Wife wanted them for the garden.  Beekeeper was a local legend.

[G3farms]

1971, I was 8 years old. Old man down the road gave me four hives, veil and gloves.
Had no idea what to do with the new treasure till I ran my finger through a fresh white capped frame of honey.....it was on!! Dad bought me a smoker from Sears. Old run down house near me and I would tear out boards to make supers, still have a few of them that make comb honey every year. Never have bought bees, always swarms or cut outs.

[Jim134]

...it was on!! Dad bought me a smoker from Sears.

Sears sold A.I. Root products.. Montgomery Ward sold Dadant & Sons products..  I did buy quite a bit of  bee equipment. From  Sears.  Because there was a local catalog store in my Home.
   

                      BEE HAPPY Jim 134   

[Ben Framed]

I am really enjoying hearing your stories of your first bees! Keep em coming!! Good stuff!!!

Phillip

[Lesgold]

In my first year of beekeeping, my first three hives were swarms. My fourth hive was a nuc that I purchased from a breeder. Travelled 120 miles to pick it up and he placed the frames of bees into my box. Being new to the game, I had no idea of bee diseases or what to look for. When I performed my first inspection of the hive after about a week, I noticed the frames were full of chalk brood. (I had to Google it to find out what it was) The hive struggled for months to get over it. Gee that made me cranky. How could someone take advantage of a person like that? Anyway, that?s history now and I moved on but the person who sold the hive has never seen any more of my money or received a recommendation from me. It?s pretty sad really as most beekeepers I meet are wonderful people.

[Ben Framed]

Les when I was younger, my uncle was interested in bees, along with one of his coworkers. I knew nothing about bees. My uncle and his friend did not know a whole lot more than I did lol. There was a long article in the
Memphis Commercial Appeal Newspaper telling of a big bee event coming up soon in Memphis, Tn. My uncle invited me to tag along with he and his co-worker. I was interested and went to that beekeepers association meeting. Tim Durham was the President of the Memphis Beekeepers Association at that time. (Tim is famous now for his Youtube channel "The Walls Bee Man'). The place was packed! 

Tims' speech made a big impression on me. He was at that time, a 'young' very charismatic, entergatic speaker who knew how to get and hold the attention of a audience and crowd. I will never forget the true story he told that night, of in his younger days., living in North Carolina. (As he told it), A lady telephoned him and told of a bee hive that was in the eve of her home and ask Tim for his help. He said when he arrived the kind lady was Aunt Bee of The Andy Griffith Show, which was a very popular Television show back then here in America.

He did the job for her and told us how sweet and kind she was; how she brought him a tray of food for lunch in real life, just as she would do on the Andy Griffith Show to those characters from time to time. He was very impressed with her kindness, sweetness, and thoughtfulness. She was in real life, just as the character she portrayed on TV.

My Uncle acquired bees after that meeting and, I from time to time, would tag along with him while he worked his bees but I had not a even a veil. I learned not much of nothing really lol. Though to the credit of my uncle, he hung in there and did well...

Through the years I never quite forgot bees and from time to time I would read an article here or an article there in the news papers which would rekindle an interest, but timing was never right. A few years ago  I stumbled upon Beemaster and was intrigued by the people here and their vast knowledge. I read many of their post etc for about a month. Business kept me away however and time did not allow pursuit of bees.

About 5 years ago I ran across a youtube video featuring JP The Bee Man and his friend Schawee from South Louisiana doing bee removals. I was thinking; "that looks fun and might be a good way to 'finally' acquire bees". So I watched as many of their videos as time would allow and was hooked. lol....  (Those two clowns reminded me of another of my Uncles' and his friend. Displaying the same type mannerism in character.) I began to finally get serious. I called JP and told him I had watched many of his videos and wished to obtain bees, asking for any tips to get started in 'cutting out' bees.  He was very kind and gracious in guidance and advice as well as moral support. (Actually I kept and still have one of his voice mails that he left me as a reminder of his kindness.) He also suggested I join a forum and this was the one I joined per his suggestion.

BY followed his suggestions, joining beemaster, for almost one year I studied here diligently. (without posting) When I felt I was ready I followed his suggested plan putting out flyers, talking to Police departments , fire departments, Pest control companies etc. Soon I had bees to remove. Schawee helped in advising me on pricing that first cutout. I have had bees now since Spring 2018.  I have learned tons from the knowledgable folks here at beemaster..... This is my Alma-mater for beekeeping and its a pleasure to be a joint member here with all you kind folks...

Sincerely,

Phillip

[Lesgold]

That?s a good story Phillip. Unfortunately for most of us, beekeeping is an addictive drug. Once you?ve been exposed to it, you are hooked for life.