I went to the BeeMan's yesterday and picked up my package of bees. He has a separate bee farm in South Georgia where he raises bees to sell. He goes down in the Spring and brings back hundreds of packages of bees for people who have ordered them from him. I was very fortunate to find a supplier in my area. Most people have to order bees from a packaged bee supplier that is located several states away from where they live. The disadvantage to this is that you don't know the nature of the bees, they may be gentle stock or they may be an aggressive strain. My BeeMan says that if you want to know what kind of bees you are getting, look at the beekeeper. If they get all suited up~ in a full bee suit, veil and gloves ~ to go out and work their bees, that tells you what kind of bees you are getting. I have yet to see the BeeMan were a hat and veil or even gloves for that matter.
There are about 3,500 bees per pound. The bees you see on the outside of the package stayed on the cage the entire time and never flew off, I guess they were part of the colony that was inside and did not want to leave. They went inside the hive with the others. I was a bit more nervous than I thought I would be. But transferring the bees from the package to the hive was just a matter of following a few simple steps and in less than 5 minutes my 7,000 bees were in their new home.
Today, I am attending an organic bee class that the BeeMan offers. It starts at 9:00 and runs all day. I hope to come home with loads of knowledge and pictures to share:-)
Hope you all enjoy your Saturday~Rhonda
12 comments:
They are quite pretty aren't they? I thnk it is great that you are doing this. I keep hearing how the bees are disappearing and it stands to reason that the more people raise them the better off we will all be. I wonder if haing them will improve your garden in any way?
Im so excited.You will have to share your honey HONEY =) I will make the butter biscuits.Oh my so yummy.
Best of luck.
Gosh Rhonda! This is all so excitin!! I will be so eager to hear what you've learned at the workshop today. I wish I lived closer to share in the new endeavor. Good luck!
Oh this is already fascinating! I'm so interested to read more about your new life as a beekeeper. Hope that you will have a fun day learning lots of good things.
Oh take lots of pics & fill us in on how the class goes!! DH & I have wanted bees for yeeeaaarrs! Nothing like GOOD honey!
Have a great weekend!
lisa
I've just discovered your lovely journel and have so enjoyed my visit!
Can't wait for more ...
Blessings, Lea
Good luck on your new escapade. I think it's great. Will you be able to keep your little guy away or is he going to want to be a bee keeper too? Have fun and be safe!
Hi, Rhonda - Congrats on your new venture! I'll be keeping tabs on your bee-keeping fun. Do YOU have to wear protective clothing or wait until the bees know you or how does that work? Wow - this will be so fun for you!
This is so neat! I can't wait to hear all about it. I find it very interesting. Dh says he'd like to do this too.
I look forward to learning all kinds of information from you. ;)
Congratulations Rhonda! Enjoy your new beekeeping journey. Jess
I so love bees. I've never raised them myself, but I love to go out into the garden and listen to them buzz.
How wonderful! My husband and I talk about keeping bees, often.
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
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