So I have been interested in this hobby for a little while but never had the gumption to start it for a couple of reasons. But now, my fiancee is working very hard at a community garden and has said to me it might be nice to have some bee's buzzing alone to help it along. Sounds reasonable to me!
But here are my concerns after doing some reading on and off:
1) I would not want more than two hives at any given time. Is this possible? I know part of avoiding multiple hives is the idea of avoiding the swarm and swapping out queens every 2-3 years. But can you really just have one to two hives for extended periods of time relatively naturally? (i.e. not torturing the bees)
2) What if the bees DO swarm? How do I remove the swarm or get them back into the hive? This has scared me since I really have no clue.
3) Has anyone been liable for an allergic bee sting due to beekeeping? I know the thought of being stung in a GARDEN sounds ludicrous but still...
4) What if work or personal distractions get in the way of keeping the hive? Could I back out some how and still give the bees a good home or retire them humanely?
Anyway I was hoping I could get some feedback/comments about what is holding me back.
But here are my concerns after doing some reading on and off:
1) I would not want more than two hives at any given time. Is this possible? I know part of avoiding multiple hives is the idea of avoiding the swarm and swapping out queens every 2-3 years. But can you really just have one to two hives for extended periods of time relatively naturally? (i.e. not torturing the bees)
2) What if the bees DO swarm? How do I remove the swarm or get them back into the hive? This has scared me since I really have no clue.
3) Has anyone been liable for an allergic bee sting due to beekeeping? I know the thought of being stung in a GARDEN sounds ludicrous but still...
4) What if work or personal distractions get in the way of keeping the hive? Could I back out some how and still give the bees a good home or retire them humanely?
Anyway I was hoping I could get some feedback/comments about what is holding me back.