Hi all,
I'm looking to start a hive this spring (or 2-3). I'm looking to do this on the cheap, as my wife is humoring me on the whole idea of keeping a million stinging insects for "fun", but barely--the cheaper I can do this, the easier my life will be. She's been great so far, but I've acquired a LOT of hobbies in my life, and my freedom to pursue these things relates directly to initial cost--once I've wintered a few hives and proven I can keep them, without them attacking everyone, my cash flow is less of an issue but this is a "pilot" venture.....
I am getting some old hives from Freecycle, a widow who's husband used to keep bees. With luck, I'll also locate a few other things, like a suit, and a smoker. For bees I'm planning on catching a swarm or setting bait hives, if need be, but in a perfect world, I'd be able to just "get" bees--if anyone in The Madison or Stevens Point area has some extra bees they are willing to part with, and they'd like to help me out, I'd be quite grateful. Also, while cash is an issue, I do brew at home; I can't pay anything, but perhaps I could at least offer a case of beer (I do Belgians, stouts, cream ales, and anything else, except lagers) and a couple bottles of wine, or similar........
*fingers crossed
Thanks,
Mark
[ February 08, 2007, 09:01 AM: Message edited by: markalbob ]
I'm looking to start a hive this spring (or 2-3). I'm looking to do this on the cheap, as my wife is humoring me on the whole idea of keeping a million stinging insects for "fun", but barely--the cheaper I can do this, the easier my life will be. She's been great so far, but I've acquired a LOT of hobbies in my life, and my freedom to pursue these things relates directly to initial cost--once I've wintered a few hives and proven I can keep them, without them attacking everyone, my cash flow is less of an issue but this is a "pilot" venture.....
I am getting some old hives from Freecycle, a widow who's husband used to keep bees. With luck, I'll also locate a few other things, like a suit, and a smoker. For bees I'm planning on catching a swarm or setting bait hives, if need be, but in a perfect world, I'd be able to just "get" bees--if anyone in The Madison or Stevens Point area has some extra bees they are willing to part with, and they'd like to help me out, I'd be quite grateful. Also, while cash is an issue, I do brew at home; I can't pay anything, but perhaps I could at least offer a case of beer (I do Belgians, stouts, cream ales, and anything else, except lagers) and a couple bottles of wine, or similar........
*fingers crossed
Thanks,
Mark
[ February 08, 2007, 09:01 AM: Message edited by: markalbob ]