[The Singing Gardener]

Any know of a good book about setting up a bee hive and where to get the bees from ?

[snozzer]

I am this year starting with bees, and I am going for the topbar method as it requires no specialist equipment and the hives are simple to make.  I did look at using nationals etc but it is so expensive.

http://www.biobees.com/

The philosphy of bio bees is very low key.

As for bees try thornes Thornes website

[dawninspain]

Hi singinggardener and welcome,

We kept bees for a few years some time back and I would always recommend joining your local beekeepers association and taking one of their beginners classes. After that they will help you with equipment and supplies (usually discounted) and advise you on getting the bees (we were given a swarm that the association had been called out to collect). There are normally regular meetings to continue your 'education' and experienced beekeepers to help new keepers. The associations also usually have equipment like honey extractors to loan out to members which would be expensive to buy yourself. There are lots of good books but in the case of beekeeping I think you can't beat proper hands on instruction if you are going to keep them safely both for yourself,  your neighbours and the bees themselves.

http://www.bbka.org.uk/

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Selkie]

My Dad keeps bees, I would agree with what Dawn said, your local bee group will be a great help and a good place to start.

[Aunt Sally]

I've moved this to the 'Hen House' which is, believe it or not, the place for bees  

[Contadino]

I am this year starting with bees, and I am going for the topbar method as it requires no specialist equipment and the hives are simple to make.  I did look at using nationals etc but it is so expensive.

http://www.biobees.com/

The philosphy of bio bees is very low key.

As for bees try thornes Thornes website

Likewise, I'm starting this year and am keen to use the techniques outlined at Biobees.  Top bar route too (cos skeps look like they're beyond me.)

My nucleus is coming from a bloke who sells honey in my local market.

[Trillium]

Definitely join a local bee group first. Not only will you learn more than from a book, you'll get hands on training and you'll keep up to date on any new health and virus warnings - a VERY important part of beekeeping. All hives here must be regularly inspected by the gov't to prevent the spread of viral diseases and by aggressive pests, both which can affect the commercial honey industry if not kept in check. I'm sure the UK has similar inspections.

[Selkie]

I don't think British hives are inspected Trillium, I know Irish ones aren't at least, but it does sound like a good idea.

My Dad lost some colonies to American Foul Brood ( :evil: ) last winter

[Trillium]

I have a friend who lost her hives to foulbrood despite regular gov't inspections. It's a fast, insidious destroyer and if a new beekeeper isn't familiar with the signs, it could quickly pass on to nearby hives. Hence, joining a bee club to become a knowledgeable friend to the poor bee colonies.

[Selkie]

I totally agree, my Dad is really into bee diseases (he gives lectures on the subject at bee conferences :roll: ) and luckily was able to destroy the damaged colonies before it spread too far.

If he had been a new keeper he wouldn't have realised anything was wrong and would have lost the whole lot.

Beekeepers tend to look out for each other (round here anyway) - my Dad often drives out to visit new keepers and to inspect their hives/offer advice etc.

[Trillium]

That's the beekeeping spirit, Rosemary. My friend had to burn some of her supers because the foulbrood had literally burrowed into some of the wood, others she managed to save but only after thoroughly blowtorching all the larvae and such. Her infection snuck in after she'd checked and wrapped her hives for winter. Really felt sorry for the poor bees which were very nice gentle ones you could be around with no worry.