Bee keeping?

[Blottedcopybook]

Sorry, I know this probably isn't the best section but it made sense in my head!

Are there any beekeepers here, or anyone who'd consider keeping bees? I've been contemplating it for over a year and the only thing that's put me off was the idea of one of the kids getting stung. Now though, our back garden is only for the hens and to grow food, the kids don't go out so I'd be a little happier with a hive.

My only concern is that it's quite expensive in terms of start up costs, and one in three hives lost their swarm last year which makes that start up cost potentially pointless. But then the potential benefit of helping the bee population is so appealing.

What do you think?

mmmm the buzz of the bees, lazy summer days, the smell of newly mown grass.

Sorry not much help with the bees but you've just put in the mood for Summer!

I know absolutely nothing about bee-keeping. Isn't it a bit of a faff though with the specialist gear you have to put on to do anything with them? Or is that only occasionally? I think anything you can do to help the bee population is appealing like you say so if you're really keen then go for it.

Think I'll stick to hens though.

Find your local beekeepers association, ours runs courses- you can go on a 'taster' day and then there's a series of evening sessions and practical sessions in summer.
Beekeepers in general are keen to recruit new people, but also to make sure they are up to speed on disease control.
I went last year and would like to start but still dithering- for one thing they reccommend you get stung before you invest heavily (you might be allergic)

I'm a wuss, if I get stung I'll cry!

I checked out a link listing local beekeeping associations but couldn't find one up here, I'm going to keep looking because I'm sure there are plenty of amateur keepers in Scotland!

Your local county agricultural college shoudl run courses on beekeeping.

lol - I am not yet either, but I also posted a thread about beekeeping in this section last year, because yes - it IS the logical place!

sorry, i always think of
this when I hear 'beekeeper'