Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: r1 on 11 July 2013, 23:23:34

Title: anybody keep bees
Post by: r1 on 11 July 2013, 23:23:34
keep hearing that bees are dying out so thought  I might do my bit and get a hive and help them out.i have a very large garden that backs out onto open fields so ideal but...............................
ive had 2 quotes and they are both about the same
so how much do you think?
couple of hundred pounds?
NO
maybe 400
NO
600
well that will get you the hive
you want bees
well that's another couple of hundred
no wonder they are dying out.
plus theres all the gear you need
didn't have a clue about the cost so was a bit of a shock
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: Jimbob on 11 July 2013, 23:26:24
Ive a friend who is in a 'part ownership scheme'...

As youve found, its not cheap,and also produces more honey than you can use...May be able to start a syndicate yourself?

Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: dbug on 12 July 2013, 00:00:38
Bloody Hell, when I was married and had the "farm", inherited 1/2 dozen bee hives, which I gave away, complete with the bees, because we didn't want the horses kicking them over!
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 12 July 2013, 00:15:46
Nice idea, but the cost is a bit of a sting in the tail.....  ::)
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: Steve B on 12 July 2013, 00:24:19
Ive a friend who is in a 'part ownership scheme'...

As youve found, its not cheap,and also produces more honey than you can use...May be able to start a syndicate yourself?
thought all you need is that space suit thing  :-\
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: kevinp58 on 12 July 2013, 00:32:37
I used to keep them but they took a lot of time and as you have found out Money,  :y Time factor got me though, having to go through them to make sure there was only 1 Queen as if there are 2 or more the old Queen will leave with upto 1/2 the bees that would then slow the honey production down dramatically.  ::)
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: redelitev6 on 12 July 2013, 20:28:27
 :D I couldn't BEE bothered with the hassle , with those sort of prices you're going to
 get stung  ;D
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: Gaffers on 12 July 2013, 21:13:26
I am a supporter of the bees and do what I can, including stopping the neighbuor from cutting back the bee friendly plants and bushes before the end of the season.  I also buy lots of those wild flower packs and plant them wherever I can.

That said, from what I have seen this year there still seems to be plently of bumble bees around.

I would love to have my own hive, despite the cost, but that will have to wait until I have my own land.  Too many rules here :(
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 July 2013, 21:42:12
They have some hives at the school the children go to and the honey they sell is fantastic
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 July 2013, 23:14:39
Shortage of bees? 'stards wouldn't leave me alone in my study earlier. Window open - bee central. Window closed - 30 degrees C, as it's in the loft. ::)
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: Rods2 on 13 July 2013, 01:03:22
My raspberry canes have had plenty of bees on them, but they have mainly been small bumblebees. I have a bumblebee nest in the ground next to my garage a few years ago and apart from seeing them occasionally fly in and out of a small hole in the ground, you would not have known they were there.
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: doz on 13 July 2013, 11:12:40
Currently have a very busy bumblebee nest in the garden. Also a friend of the outlaws rescued a swarm and they are now living in a hive in the garden. However if you have to buy all the kit new it's quite pricey and you've always got the risk they will just fly off
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 13 July 2013, 20:34:46
I didn't think that Bumblebees lived in large nests with loads of others like Honeybees or Wasps?  :-\
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: doz on 13 July 2013, 23:13:59
live in a hole in the ground
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 13 July 2013, 23:17:20
I didn't think that Bumblebees lived in large nests with loads of others like Honeybees or Wasps?  :-\

Those bloody things will be around soon. Almost lost control of a car once because of one of these things attacking my neck with its lovely sting sting attitude  >:(
Title: Re: anybody keep bees
Post by: omega3000 on 13 July 2013, 23:18:39
Currently have a very busy bumblebee nest in the garden. Also a friend of the outlaws rescued a swarm and they are now living in a hive in the garden. However if you have to buy all the kit new it's quite pricey and you've always got the risk they will just fly off

I think we seen some going under next doors decking  :o Loads around here ..