missouristatebeekeepers.myfreeforum.org

Ridgewalker · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 2

I am interested in getting started with a hive, maybe two but have tons of questions.

The most pressing involves hornets, I harvested two nice hornets nest this fall after watching them all summer and have heard they will attack honey bees. Can they co-exist?

TIA

Scott Moser · Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 15

Welcome to the world of beekeeping! Most people find it an interesting and fascinating hobby. Some even go on to make it a business. Two hives is a good way to begin. I would suggest that you look in your area to see if any local associations exist, and if they are offering beekeeping classes. Also, I would suggest getting yourself a good beekeeping book to read up on in the "off" season. As for your question, yes, bees and hornets can coexist. Honeybees do a fairly good job or repelling hornets, but occasionally a hornet or two gets in. They are more of a problem later in the season (late august till first killing frost), but they do little damage to the bees. Good luck!

Ridgewalker · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 2

Thanks! I have been researching via the web and found a couple of chapters. Actually we are very close, I live in Fenton and my land is in South of Frederickt*wn on 72. I have 50 acres that is mostly woods; I am turning about 3 acres into a food plot with wildflowers and clover. I also planted 75 flowering trees that I got from the MDC nursery.

I hope you don't mind but I do have one other question. How often must hives be tended? My land is 1.5 hours away and I only get to go down to there every other weekend or so.

What's kind of funny is that we have recently been hearing about black bear sightings. Watch me put out a hive just in time to get raided.

Thanks again for your help.

euman · Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 7

Hello,

"Every other week" is a long time in the Spring, as things change very quickly (especially with a new colony) and you really need to keep ahead of them. I don't wish to discourage you if those are your circumstances, but I visit my bees at least once a week from about mid-March through June. If I were you I'd try hard to give them that attention at least in the beginning. That's really the best way to learn, too.

I live in Kirkwood, and have been a beekeeper for about 13 years. My first hive was in Troy, an hour from home, and I did not get to see them as often as I should have. After two years I got an opportunity to move them to Kirkwood and they've been here since.

I have two suggestions:

1) Join the Eastern MO Beekeepers if you've not already done so. We meet in Kirkwood at Powder Valley Nature Center, 2nd Wed of month at 6:30. We also have a beginners' workshop next Saturday Feb. 21. You can call 314-894-8737 to see if if you can still get in.

2) If you can't find a mentor near Fredericktown who can visit your bees with you, try to learn from someone in this area. I'd be happy to show you my bees in Kirkwood if you're interested.