What information should be stamped on my hive bodies?

[FordGuy]

Hello folks. I know this sounds elementary, but here goes. i want to buy a stamp for my hives which will identify them as mine. I'm thinking

Name, Beekeeper
address
telephone number

Those of you that have done this, at some point did you ever say, "wow, I wish I had put THAT on my hives." What was "THAT."

Thanks.

[drobbins]

a serial number so you can tie it back to whatever info you keep that's not on the hive

Dave

[Michael Bush]

A web site? Email address?

I'd probably stick with name and number. But then what happens if you change your number?

[iddee]

"Property of Sheriff XXX XXX,
XXXX county, SC." :D

[Sundance]

Brought this up before but dog tags work wonderful.

I have my name, address, and phone as well as consequtive numbering all in 1/4" size letters.

Cheap, fast, and easy.

http://www.ketchummfg.com/index.cfm?d=3109&c=4461&p=14705&do=detail

[mdotson]

My one hive is registered with the State Bee Inspector and they have given my apairy a number. The number can be used as an identification number for my hive marking. Maybe other states have something similar.

[FordGuy]

as far as changing numbers, I'll die at this number and address. Not a concern.

[SleepyHollow]

I use a roto zip and just put my name on mine about a quarter inch deep. You can paint over it and its still stands out. Bill

[BULLSEYE BILL]

No matter what you do, NEVER EVER BUY A BRANDING IRON FROM BRAND NEW! When you find that it only makes a light stain and return it, they won't send you back your money.

BRAND NEW is a rip off company. Do not do business with them!

[RAYB]

good morning! I get the sense that having name and address and logo is the epitome of doing right! But, unless knowing in high theft area, or congested with beek's that most beek's donot mark their hives,apiaries and tend to place from view to the general and beek eyes. I know these are generalizations, but basically are these the results of "sad experiences" and rooted in necesssity or "fear"? I have placed my own relatively in view and have wondered about security! Ray Barber

[BULLSEYE BILL]

I had an experiance once with a couple of hives that I found in my outyard. Thay actully appeared when the queens ann lace died out and they could be seen setting under the hedge row not thirty feet from my hives.

They were branded with Addee and CH. I quizzed the land owner who didn't know that they were there or who they belonged to. He told me that I could have them. I put a note on them, along with an emty super and never heard or saw anything. I waited until the next spring before I decided that they were abandoned and moved them.

They were falling apart so I rebuilt them and added new parts where needed. About a month later I got a call from the land owner wanting to know what happened to the hives :rolleyes: He gave me the number of the lady who wanted them back. He told her that he did not tell me to take them!

So the hives were branded with at least three initials and names, none of which was the owners. It would have saved a lot of problems if they were taged properly. Then again it was really junk equipment past usefulness and in bad repair, it probably couldn't stand to be branded again.

Well she now has some nice hives.

[DChap]

In Utah if the apiary or hives do not have the state registration number in a conspicious place and at least 1" tall. the hives will be considered abandoned and will be burned. Mine are marked with my name, town and the registration number.

Blessed bee
Doug