Newbie

Sharon B. · October 16, 2011, 01:52:13 AM

Hi, All,
I live in Oklahoma and am interested in possibly getting a beehive. I'm just not sure if it would work in my yard. Looking forward to learning more about it.

Sharon B.

Michael Bush · October 16, 2011, 02:24:55 AM

I've had beehives in my yard for the last 37 years... I can't imagine why it won't work...

AllenF · October 16, 2011, 05:37:53 PM

I have one hive on my porch and 10 in the yard. Welcome to the forum.

Larry Bees · October 16, 2011, 05:47:00 PM

Welcome to the site!

There are lots of beekeepers with hives in their back yards.

Larry

Sharon B. · October 17, 2011, 12:51:18 AM

Thanks for the welcome. We have a German shorthair pointer that runs around in most of the yard. However, on the south side of the back yard, I have a garden which is 18' x about 65'. I did not know how much room you need to allow for the bees to enter the hive.

Michael Bush · October 17, 2011, 05:36:52 AM

You never want to confine an animal where it can't run from the hives if attacked. I've had a dog and bees and horses and chickens in the yard for 37 years. As long as the animals can run away they are fine.

specialkayme · October 19, 2011, 09:37:46 PM

Welcome to the site!

Francus · October 20, 2011, 10:30:53 AM

I have two hives in my back yard. I also have 3 dogs, a three year old and a 1 yr old. All of them hang out in the back yard. The dogs were pretty interested at first, but after poking their nose in the hive entrance and getting stung they stopped.

Other than the dogs and me, no one has been stung. And the dogs only once. It would seem I have not learned my lesson.

BeeMaster2 · October 20, 2011, 12:49:39 PM

I have 3 hives in my back yard, about 20 feet from our pool. My son has a Service dog (Radar) that has the run of the back yard when he wants to (Service dogs don't like to be away from their masters for very long) and 2 cats. I also have 2 grand daughters one 2 and one 5. I take the older one out with me to watch them sometimes. I'm the only one that's been stung. I did see Radar poke his nose in a hive the first week I had them but he quickly pulled it out (never reacted like he was stung) and I have never seen him do it again.
Enjoy your hives.
P.S. if you use a brush on your bees, be real gentle. I used one once to take honey and had to keep everyone else out of the back yard for 3 weeks, until those brushed bees died.

mikecva · October 20, 2011, 01:50:25 PM

Welcome to the forum :cheer:

You might try looking for a beekeeping club in your area. They often have beginner classes and mentors to help guide you.

As for your backyard, most of us have some in our yards because they are as relaxing as watching fish and more fun. Foraging bees very seldom sting as they are working. -Mike

indypartridge · October 21, 2011, 07:37:00 AM

Quote from: mikecva
You might try looking for a beekeeping club in your area. They often have beginner classes and mentors to help guide you.

Ditto.

Here's a link to start:
http://www.okbees.org/LocalClubs.html