65 replies to this topic

[AntPhycho]

Just a suggestion, especially since I have upgraded from ants to bees (but ant keeping isn't over for me just waiting for my solenopsis to fly).

[dspdrew]

Well I guess I could make a subforum for it. I just haven't heard a whole lot about bee keeping on the forum or chat. I'll think about it.

[Zeiss]

Pretty sure urban bee keeping is illegal.

[AntPhycho]

Pretty sure urban bee keeping is illegal.

 

Yes, urban bee keeping is illegal (unless you get some type of special permit). Luckily, Southern California is not all urban. It also depends on the county you live in, but in most places, if you have 2-4 acres you are completely legal (some counties do require additional permits). If you are trying to tell me that I am doing something illegal then save your breath as I can assure you I have all proper documents and/or land requirement in place.   

Edited by AntPhycho, April 24 2019 - 8:51 PM.

[gcsnelling]

Yes,legality varies from place to place. I just think money bees are pure evil aside from the yummy honey they produce, sad that something so good comes from something as evil as they are.

[Acutus]

Well I guess I could make a subforum for it. I just haven't heard a whole lot about bee keeping on the forum or chat. I'll think about it.

 

I 'm a beekeeper and could participate if there were a forum.

Urban bee keeping isn't illegal everywhere and even when it is it's usually within city limits. There are some hoops to jump through but can be done.

[Scherme]

I don't keep bees at the moment but I am bee-curious lol.

 

I have been thinking about it for quite a while and I have a good chunk of land.

 

A bee keeping subforum would be awesome with enough interest. 

[ANTdrew]

I've been intrigued by bee keeping, but studies showing how much Eurasian honeybees outcompete native bees has discouraged me.

I'm very interested in how to catch and raise new bumblebee queens. I may try that next spring.

[Acutus]

Just a suggestion, especially since I have upgraded from ants to bees (but ant keeping isn't over for me just waiting for my solenopsis to fly).

 

Are bees an upgrade? I guess I'm downgrading to ants then?         

I actually decided to do ants to compare and contrast the two. two social insects with very different ways of managing themselves.

[ANTdrew]

Bees seem like less work to me since they feed themselves mostly and one doesn't have to worry about escapees. I guess the work comes in when you start swiping their honey.

[drtrmiller]

We don't have a beekeeping subforum because this is an antkeeping forum.

 

There are TONS of quality beekeeping groups on the internet.  Have you tried looking for them?

[TennesseeAnts]

I've been intrigued by bee keeping, but studies showing how much Eurasian honeybees outcompete native bees has discouraged me.
I'm very interested in how to catch and raise new bumblebee queens. I may try that next spring.

I have kept leaf-cutter bees. Native and WAY more efficient at pollinating than the European honey bee.

[ANTdrew]

I also "keep" Osmia cornifrons bees in my yard. I just put out lots of bamboo stems and drill holes in wood, and they live in them year to year. They're lots of fun to observe!

[TennesseeAnts]

Their stings are also way less painful! I love watching them plug their tubes with mud.

[Acutus]

We don't have a beekeeping subforum because this is an antkeeping forum     Have you tried looking for them?

 

Very hard to argue with that type of logic!

 

Wait! I do have an argument! LOL we have Termites and they aren't ants. Aren't they actually related to roaches?

Edited by Acutus, April 25 2019 - 3:44 PM.

[ponerinecat]

 

We don't have a beekeeping subforum because this is an antkeeping forum     Have you tried looking for them?

 

Very hard to argue with that type of logic!

 

Wait! I do have an argument! LOL we have Termites and they aren't ants. Aren't they actually related to roaches?

 

Yes, they are. I've never seen termite keeping forums, though, so maybe that's why.

[AntPhycho]

Oh come on drtmiller  . I don't think a bee keeping subforum will hurt your precious ant keeping forum so please don't fret.

[AntPhycho]

Bees seem like less work to me since they feed themselves mostly and one doesn't have to worry about escapees. I guess the work comes in when you start swiping their honey.

Actually bee keeping is harder to do than you may think. Feeding bees is necessary during the winter and in part of spring, you also got to make sure your queen doesn't escape during a swarming and you must check your queen frequently and if she dies or leaves you must- well it's a lot to explain, this is why we need a small sub forum for this 

[AntPhycho]

I've been intrigued by bee keeping, but studies showing how much Eurasian honeybees outcompete native bees has discouraged me.

I'm very interested in how to catch and raise new bumblebee queens. I may try that next spring. 

Bumblebees are nice, but unfortunately you don't get honey and from what I have heard are a lot harder to raise.

[Zeiss]

I think honey bees shouldn't be focused on.  While they are beneficial to the plants we have, native bees need our help and honey bees just out compete them by a long shot.

 

I'd like to hear other peoples' opinions on the matter; I'm conflicted on honey bee keeping vs. native bees, due to the usefulness to crops and usefulness to native ecosystems as a whole, respectively.

Edited by Zeiss, April 26 2019 - 12:25 AM.