[enzyme]

Hi

I am new to the forum, but wouldl ike to say hello.

We have a smallplot, where I keep bees (have been doing it for 5 years), and we both look after the hens and grow veg etc.

Looking to expand into pigs.

If anyone local keeps pigs, we would like to learn, can offer back beekeeping advice.

Thanks

[little blue]

hello and welcome from Derbyshire.   I have kune kune pigs, and an empty bee hive!  Not that local, but.... !

[MiriMaran]

Hi, am also from Derbyshire.  We keep hens and last year fattened 2 pigs for the first time.  My OH is wanting to keep bees.  We have a flat pack National that has been built and is now languishing in the workshop.  We got too caught up in the pigs and the beekeeping fell by the wayside.  Hopefully we will get it up and running this year.

Ruth do you have other bee keeping equipment?

[little blue]

yes!  got all the basic gear except bees!
Had a nucleus on order, but was shafted by the company, so we dont mention that!  want them delivered, as they're a rarity round here... or do you know something I dont?!

[enzyme]

Blue bell, try setting your empty hive up as abait hive, you stand a good chane of getting a swarm around the time of the OSR (oil seed rape).

Make up your frames with wax, a few drops of lemon grass as a swarm lure phermone (you can buy them), best to locate the hive (as a bait hive) about 10 - 15 foot up facing south. So in a tree or on a flatroof etc.

[little blue]

thanks for that,  it wont attract wasps or anything unwanted?
We have the frames made up, but not in the hive.

[pottsie]

Hi and welcome from foggy Windmill (Durham), i'm just dipping my toe in to pigs and bees hopefully both coming soon, already started with chickens, goats, sheep even though the plan was originally veg and learning each day, good luck and keep us updated.

Rob 

[MiriMaran]

Sorry Ruth, as far as I know swarms are hard to come by.  But like i say its my OHs project so I stay well out of it.

[enzyme]

Yes swarms are hard to come by, realy only from beekeepers that have lost them. No real natural bees left in the UK!

But there is no harm in setting a bait hive, either for another keepers loss or getting back your own (COUGH) but of course you NEVER loose swarms..do you!!! LOL

Last year I caught 3 nice swarms.

Swarm season is generaly at the the start of the year (May/june) wasp are more of a problem Aug/Sept.

[Rosemary]

Hi and welcome. I've just started a bee keeping course - if we get along, bees and I, I'll try and get some this year.

[daniellestocks]

Hello from Pickering, north yorkshire
Danielle   

[sandy]

Hello, welcome to TAS from Clackmannan

[SuzyJ]

Hello and welcome.

We're many, many miles away (probably about 2500!) but been thinking about keeping bees for a while. Just need to find the time to do something about it.

[Hilarysmum]

Hi welcome, we used to keep bees back in Dorset, not really enough flowers around here to do it again, its all arable.  Not too keen on the honey from the oil seed rape, but if the sunflowers and lupins increase locally will certainly be looking on here for advice.

[HappyHippy]

Hello and welcome from me in South Lanarkshire 
I would love bees, but after having a really bad reaction to a sting when i was young and managing to avoid being stung since - I'm just not brave enough.
Funny how something so small causes me to break out in a sweat, especially when I quite happily get in a field with cows or horses 
Look forward to hearing more from you.
Karen x