/diy/ - Do It Yourself

bumping this to save it from page 10. If any other beekeepers have suggestions or input, post it here and I'll add it to my FAQ.

>>431464
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/dear-mark-raw-honey-and-allergies-and-resveratrol-debunked/
http://msgboard.snopes.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=42;t=000318;p=0

and I have annecdotal evidence of this with my family members and others in the local beekeeping community. YMMV

>>430470
you are my new idol. and icon. I may even go full-on tripfag wtih this. tyvm.
this is the 3rd or 4th time I've seen a 'I want to keep bees' thread. some have been more succesful than others. should I bother pulling together notes from the previous threads (which I have cached, somewhere) and see about getting a bee/faq going and see it archived somewhere. should I bother? or just post pone and see if anyone cares?

>>429965
First off, go check out beesource.com, their forums are probably the best free resource for a newbee, and their forums contain all kinds of tips & instructions for folks who want to DIY with simple TBH designs.
Contact the beekeeper who's responsible for the hives on-campus, and tell him that you're looking to get started in beekeeping, and ask him if you could observe him next time he inspects/works the hives. I imagine that he'd be willing to help out an interested newbee and either let you observe/help with those hives, or possibly hives elsewhere if legal BS prevents him from letting you help on-campus. I'd definitely suggest attending the LFS seminar, which will probably give you a 1-2 hour overview of the basics of hive management, and a showcase for the stuff they want to sell you to start a hive (easily $300-500 for basic woodenware, protective gear, tools & packaged bees... which you probably is more than you can/want to drop on it.)
I'd _really_ suggest joining one of the local bee associations if you're serious about this, so much about beekeeping is regional/local, from the timing of nectar flows, local suppliers, inspection/legal issues, etc.
Assuming you're in the US, then your biggest challenge may be actually getting bees. I'm in the northeast, and like the past 3 years, everyone 'sold-out' their projected stock of packaged bees before the end of last year. The delivery of 3# packages from Georgia has already been delayed at least 2 weeks due to weather. Your best bet will be to get lucky with a local beekeeper who is willing to sell you a 'split' or if your local beekeeping association has extra packages (unlikely), either option can be expected to cost you $90-150.

If you want to get started cheaply this season, then look into making a simple TBH, and see if you can get a commercial 3# package, or a local split. Otherwise, invest in a a swarm lure and hope for the best.

pic: some of my girlfriends

>>428425

the main problem with warre hives and other non-Langstroth/TBH designs is that you cannot pull out the frames of comb to inspect them. Removable frames are required in most of the US (by my understanding) as they're the only way to inspect the interior of the hive. Most folks who do use these non-standard hives are already proficient beekeepers and understand how to interpret hive activity without actually sticking their noses into the hive.
As I've suggested in previous 'I want to be a beekeeper' threads, newbees should get in touch with their local beekeeper association, or at least their regional apiary inspector, and start with a simple langstroth hive.
If you want to be all hipster/edgy, then go for it, but don't expect me to shed any tears when you get butthurt over loosing your colony because you missed signs of swarm/supercedure cells in your bespoke hivebox.