beekeeping

[nightshade]

have any female mumsnetters recently begun keeping bees? how hard and wrapped in red tape is it and what's my chances of attracting a wild swarm???

ooh, Id love bees.

I have kept bees since 2009. I love it.

It's not difficult, but it's highly unlikely that you'll get a wild swarm just flying into your hive

There are a couple of bits and bobs that you do need to know, mainly about disease control (apart from anything else, if you don't keep your bees healthy then they could infect other local colonies).

My advice would be to contact your local beekeeping association, most run beginners courses which will teach you the basics and often pair you up with an experienced beekeeper as a mentor to hold your hand through the first couple of seasons.

Do it, it's great!

do you need a big garden?

My DH has bee envy. He reads up on hive management and has cyber chosen everything he needs...just the stoopid varoa stops him from actually taking the leap.

I think he should do it anyway, we need more bees!

Am jealous, beela.