Our Bees have disappeared.... Where did they Go?.......

[ldman]

Hi all,
My first post. I live in central Mississippi. Own some acreage(Mostly wooded)...  Have lived in the same house for 12 years.  Every spring our yard is full of honey bees.... I know of several trees behind the house that have housed the bees....   This year we have not seen a single bee!!   Me and the wife find that a little disturbing..... To me, it's just not natural to "not" have bees around, sort of gives me an uneasy feeling.
Is it difficult to start a hive?..... if I did start one, would they disappear too?   I'm sure there's plenty to learn if I decided on a hive....  just fishing a little for some info and feedback.

Thanks

Ldman

[Kathyp]

some years are like that.  i just got a call from a guy up the road from me who swears all the bees are gone.  since i have several hives, i know they are not  :-D  i suspect that the bees are having a good time elsewhere as the berries have bloomed early.  perhaps the same is true in your area. 

look for a beekeeping club or organization in your area.  learn all that you can.  keeping bees is not to difficult and made easier if you are informed.  at this time of the year, you might yet be able to find a nuc.  that would probably be the best way to start.  a local group may be able to help you out.  another way would be to buy some equipment and put yourself on a swarm catching list.  the earlier in the year that you can get a hive going, the better your odds of success. 

if starting this year is out, take the year to learn.  be ready to start in the spring.  packages are usually ordered in February or so.  nucs, a little later.  have your equipment ready and go for it!

[iddee]

In central MS., I would think the Small Hive Beetle has about wiped out the tree dwelling bees. Find a local beekeeper or two, and visit with them often. Starting blind in SHB country will be a sure failure. Join a local bee club.