Good news -- anybody?

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ShinySideUp

Drone Bee
***
Joined
Feb 21, 2017
Messages
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Location
Pensilva, East Cornwall
Number of Hives
None, ex-beekeeper
I haven't even started with my first hive yet and already I'm a little disheartened. Nosema, Varroa mites, bee paralysis, deformed wing, dead colonies, aggressive bees, tainted honey, theft, vandalism, disagreements about BK-ing methods, et al.

Does anyone have anything good to say about beekeeping because so far it seems like a very depressing thing to be entering in to?

I expect things will improve when I actually get my hands on some bees this Spring so perhaps for now I should stop reading about it until I have some experience.
 
They will give you hours upon hours of work and enjoyment. And even more in worry lol
 
I expect things will improve when I actually get my hands on some bees this Spring so perhaps for now I should stop reading about it until I have some experience.

don't be too put off, Beekeepers can be an opinionated bunch, as long as you have read enough to get a handle on things and know what to do when inspections start go for it!
you generally have to do something pretty stupid or just be quite unlucky to lose a colony during the Summer months, bees are quite resilient.
avoid Face Book its full of knobs who think they know everything, this Forum is a safe place to gather information and don't worry unnecessarily, ask questions and remember its not all doom and gloom, people will generally post when they have issues that need sorting, most of the time its all hunky Dory.
 
Here are some points:

1. Working a hive is simply a joy
2. You'll meet some great people (ignore the boring preachy ones)
3. The more you learn the fewer problems you actually come across
4. Honey from your hives is the best bribe you'll ever need.
5. Beekeeping meetings normally have tea and cake.
 
Good news - well I started last year and I recognise where you're coming from at this stage. But once you get the bees it all makes more sense.

Yes - you'll have bad days, like when I dropped a frame part way through an inspection and they went a bit ballistic, followed me to the house, waiting until I'd taken my veil off and then stung me twice on the ear.

A few days later, being more careful, I went through them again very gently and they didn't seem to even notice I was there.

I ended my first year with about 80lb of honey from the first hive and had a second one started.

The second one decided to supersede the queen right at the end of August but they built up well over September and have come through the winter fine.

A couple of days ago when it was mild it was wonderful to see them coming and going bringing in pollen - totally ignoring my presence right alongside the hives.

So yes - there's plenty more good news than doom and gloom.
 
I haven't even started with my first hive yet and already I'm a little disheartened. Nosema, Varroa mites, bee paralysis, deformed wing, dead colonies, aggressive bees, tainted honey, theft, vandalism, disagreements about BK-ing methods, et al.



Does anyone have anything good to say about beekeeping because so far it seems like a very depressing thing to be entering in to?



I expect things will improve when I actually get my hands on some bees this Spring so perhaps for now I should stop reading about it until I have some experience.



The good news is it's all fun. Learn to scan the forum for the information you need. If you are afraid of looking like a novice or people berating you or telling you that you are doing it all wrong, lurk.
Everyone (in your region) will be doing the same things at roughly the same time. Watch the forum posts especially "what did you do in the apiary today" and you can get an idea of what everyone else is up to, ask if you have questions filter the responses. Once you have a few posts logged, then if you have a specific question and don't want to post an open question then private message someone who seems knowledgable and friendly.

You will be fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
You've forgotten about Beekeeper's Back!
 
I have kept bees for about 7 years and still love every moment. Even when things do not go according to plan - after all, at the end of the day bees will do what bees will do, not necessarily what I wanted them to do, it can be a learning experience. The more you read and learn, the more enjoyment you will get. Join your local association. Bee keepers are generally a very helpful bunch. Exercise good husbandry and you will hopefully see few diseases. It will feel entirely different when you get your own bees. It is fun. Enjoy
 
Depends on your perspective really.

Being relatively new found it much more fascinating, fulfilling, frustrating than ever thought I would. But its been fine best not to worry about it tbh. You will have plenty of learning opportunities ahead, via the bees or your mistakes. It can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster but its worth it.
 
I started bees in 2010.
Every Spring I still feel the anticipation of bees going out , collecting pollen and nectar and providing endless fascination. And some honey.

Unless you are really unlucky or work hard at being incompetent, the bees will survive and you'll have lots of fun. The good memories remain for ever, the stings don't...
 
Don't be disheartened before you start. Here's my tuppence worth:

Yes it's a hobby with challenges and learning - the curve is steep to start with, and it never levels out! At least, for me it hasn't!, but isn't that the way with most things?

Concentrate on recognizing what is normal in hive: healthy brood, healthy bees, etc and it'll make it easier to spot thing when things might be awry. Don't dwell on diseases - you are obviously aware they exist and you will deal with them when and if they arise. (The only occasions I have seen either of the foul broods is in a disease workshop organised by the bee inspectors and that's over many years).

Do ask for help if you are at all worried. You'll have a good idea of what advice is worth listening to from the forum - despite conflicting advice here, (as is the case wherever beekeepers cluster), you'll get an idea of which suggestions are probably not worth attempting.

Get as much experience of other peoples bees as you can, so that you can get an idea of how your stock/s compare. Go to whatever apiary meets you can.

Bees are endlessly fascinating and, contrary to how it might appear at the moment, a great de-stressor!! And, of course, there are those beautiful hive products to look forward to. (Not to mention the fact that you are saving the planet by keeping bees ;) )

And don't be surprised if for the first several inspections that you close the hive down and don't have a clue what you've seen. You will have gone in with a plan about what you are looking for, but it can be mind-blowing to start with. It's not you, it's the bees - they take over!!bee-smillie

I have, in my usual long winded way, reiterated a lot of what has been said - but then, I'm just adding to a consensus you that might be wise to take notice of!!!:D
 
I started out last year full of excitement and raring to go. I lost a swarm, caught the second, made a split and got the sum total of ONE jar of honey!

I became very good friends with a local beekeeper of 30+ years who said and still says he doesn't know what he is doing.

I found sitting with a cup of tea with my host and watching the bees of a summer late afternoon truly magical. I have been battling (or living with) PTSD for around 9 years and find that just sitting with the bees and watching their comings and goings truly grounding.

Both of my colonies have made it through the winter and as a person (research PTSD) who knows nothing but abject failure, I feel sooooo proud! Granted the bees did most of the work and my friend was a huge help, but it still feels good.

The excitement is building in my belly as I see spring is coming and we are off again. This time armed with more knowledge and experience.

I have secured a stunning apiary site to move my bees to on a sensory farm for people with dementia and also ptsd sufferers. If I can use my experience and my bees can help people feel as grounded as I do around them then in my mind I have won!!!!!!!!

Things can and do go wrong, but if you don't do anything too drastic the bees will sort themselves out. They're amazing like that!

Find a friend or mentor (hopefully both in one person) and get stuck in. Nothing more wonderful in my eyes and experience.
 
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Happiness is within and has nothing to do with other folks, so don't worry. The bees will cheer you up when they come along and not two season are the same. Lot's to look forward to and learn one step at the time. x
 
The glass is only half full. Thats the bad news.

For me, the good news is that my breeding material gets better each year
 
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I haven't even started with my first hive yet and already I'm a little disheartened. Nosema, Varroa mites, bee paralysis, deformed wing, dead colonies, aggressive bees, tainted honey, theft, vandalism, disagreements about BK-ing methods, et al.

Does anyone have anything good to say about beekeeping because so far it seems like a very depressing thing to be entering in to?

I expect things will improve when I actually get my hands on some bees this Spring so perhaps for now I should stop reading about it until I have some experience.

Trust me - it'll be ok and when you've got your first season over then things start to gel. Even if you have the misfortune to suffer a calamity it's just another opportunity to gain knowledge as long as you persevere. :)
 
Thank you all for your encouraging remarks, I am rejuvenated once again (note to self though -- stop dwelling on the disease threads).

Oh, and good on you Robbo; puts my apparent doubts in perspective.
 
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Beekeeping will turn you into an eternal optimist and a manic weather watcher.
You'll know you've cracked it when you some poor innocent person you have cornered with your tales of bees gets that glazed look in their eye and avoids you next time you meet
 

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