Chez Moi Honey Bees: Let Me Catch You Up ... Part II

This Tuesday, February 17th will be our 5th class. There are 10 - 2 hour sessions altogether...with a field day on March 21st for four hours. There is just so much information! Also, I've already made some great friends! Rachel and Christine (and her son)...!

I ordered my "Babies" (this is how I refer to my bees, lol) on February 9th from Busy Bee Apiaries in Chapel Hill and expect to receive them approx. April 9th...All 26,000 of them (approx.) In a 3 pound package, there are approximately 13,000 per package. They recommend you start with 2 hives in case one is weak...you can even them out.

Being that I've never been stung, I made an appointment to visit an allergist to be on the safe side. Yes, I was an indoor child...the most outdoor time I had was on the apartment patio in Delaware. LOL We were pretty much in the "country"...we had tons of trees...our apartment overlooked the complex baseball field...but I just didn't do outside...LOL! Anywho... the allergist is sending me for a blood test but said it really won't tell too much since I've never been stung. She asked about my medical history and of any other allergies. She gave me a prescription for an Epi-Pen...just in case...since I will be working with sooooo many bees. I'm sure I'll be stung at some point...I'll just have to wait and see what happens. Dr. Dunn also gave me a great resource to check out regarding planting a "bee garden." I have some space in my backyard which really needs some attention...a "bee garden" would be perfect!

There is a program through the Alamance County Farm Bureau where they are giving away 15 sets of hives. I do hope to get a set of these hives so I haven't made a purchase yet. At the same time, the probability isn't in my favor. So, I've been researching the various equipment to see what will be best...and CUTE! ...Come on now, you know me! lol

This hive is called the English Garden hive...isn't it cute! Wouldn't it look great with my house? I think so too. It does cost a little more but for the first two...it may be necessary. (smile)

Things I still need to do...

Inform the neighbors (a nice courtesy)

Join the State Association

Durham doesn't have a county association. I believe this is because before January 12, 2009 there wasn't an official ordinance allowing beekeeping with Durham city limits. Even though, some of the info presented with the ordinance states there are approximately 35 active beekeepers already. WOW! I need to find info on how to start one. (maybe something else to do...hmmmm?)

My OBF sent me the "Beekeeping for Dummies" book with a note enclosed...

"If they turn on you...
you can always use the book to kill'em."
(bee friends...he's kidding! LOL)

(photo courtesy of http://www.indianchild.com/bees.htm)