In with both feet...and then some!

[chefbeek]

So I've been getting ready since last September. Building, reading, apprenticing, learning, etc...Nucs are ordered and I have a yard. I was posting on Craigslist for another yard closer to my house and I got an offer that I have to bring to the list. This fellow with 150 acres only 10 miles form my house has 10 hives. He told me he will GIVE me the hives and I can keep them right there on his property and add whatever I want in the future. :eek:Huh?

My first instinct? No thank you. What condition are they in, diseases, etc...Second instinct? Go for it. You'll find out quickly if this is something you really want to do. I was planning on starting with 5 nucs this Spring, so if I do this it ups the ante.

If I am to do this (assuming you all encourage it) what is my plan of action? I will have to do an initial inspection of course, but after that, it's PRACTICAL APPLICATION TIME!!!!

What say ye?
Eamon (Chefbeek)

[BigDaddyDS]

I have to ask...

What is your trepidation? Why are you even pausing to accept his offer?

There must be something that isn't being communicated through your posting, because it sounds like Willy Wonka's just given you a Golden Ticket.

What is your worry?

DS

[indypartridge]

You mentioned "apprenticing" so it sounds like you have an experienced beek to help mentor you. Give him/her a call and head over to check out those 10 hives. As BigDaddy said, it sounds like you got the Golden Ticket.

[tecumseh]

he who hesitates is lost.

[Michael Bush]

My only concern would be taking my equipment out there and putting it next to his. What happens if he claims my equipment? Or he sells the place or he dies and his kids say that's their dad's hives. I'd brand all mine and get something in writing. It doesn't have to be fancy, keep it simple, but it eliminates any confusion in the future.

[Budster]

I got into a similar situation last year. Has worked out great. The land owner had one existing hive he lets me "take care of" for him. Also, he gives me free reign to all his equipment to use. He has enough equipment for 15 - 20 hives. He just got too busy with his farm market business and didn't have time for the bees. He plants 7 acres of sweat corn to sell at his roadside stand. So, I work the hives and be sure to give him plenty of honey for allowing me to keep my hives on his property and for letting me use his equipment. He seems like an honest enough hard working guy. He also mentioned that this works ideal for him as he likes having all the bees out there to polinate his melons, cukes, etc. I'd go for it...

[Shapleigh's Bees]

Get a bill of sale and a lease on the property. Hives sold for $1. Bee yard lease $1. If you end up burning the hives or abandoning the property, the verbal deal wasn't you were working his hives on his property in exchange for the honey.

It kinda sound to me that the hives are there for pollination? And the guy just doesn't want to deal with it?

[Chef Isaac]

Keep his bees there, let him give them to you, build them up, split split split. Take the splits to another yard.

[Ruben]

I would offer to pay for the equipment and then say you plan to keep bees their, but at least that way you are under no obligation to stay they if there is a problem in the future.

[kbee]

Eamon, Sounds like it might be a good opportunity but you need to work out the details. If you want some help PM me or give me a call. You are just down the road. Ken

[dcross]

Go. For. It. NOW!!

But keep your eyes open. Strictly segregate all bees and equipment until you are absolutely certain of their disease status and the landowners intentions and uh, moral status:)

[chefbeek]

I spoke with the guy today. He owns the property (150 acres) along with 5 of his buddies. They hunt it, but I'll be out of there by then. There is one gate and we'll come up with a system to let them know when I'm in there. He's going to make me a key. He also suggested signing some kind of release (liability sort...) and suggested a $1 a hive buyout like some of you mentioned. He's all for it.

He tells me they've been on their own for 1 year. He mentioned activity in 2 of the 10. I'll get over there this week and he's going to meet me and show me the lay of the land. I'll crack covers and see what's going on then.

Any way to test for foulbrood spores in unoccupied equipment?

Eamon

PS Anyone make an optic orange camo beesuit?

[dcross]

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=7472

You can send comb in to be tested for foulbrood. A regular beesuit should work as long as they aren't hunting polar bears:)