Oh yeah Kelly,

Because there is a club for everything http://www.wihoney.com/

Oh and you might check with them to see if you have to register your hive(s) with the state. Here you're required to.

 Quote: Will Rambeau

Keep a couple of mid-size cardboard boxes around for swarm retrieval.

So, how do you get the errant bees to rejoin you? Bait the cardboard box? I can imagine this must be a rather funny sight to see...comere, little bees....

leih

 Quote: will rambeau

Ahh, I have a few things left on my "bucket list" that I still haven't achieved yet.
For instance....Kristanna Loken just won't return my calls...

And if my wife just read that, just kidding, hon!!

Hmmm, note to self. Call Jamie later and tell her she *must* check out the board..........<insert evil laughter here>

Yeah Will, how do you teach the bee recall? Marker training or compulsion?

There is a great forum called Keeping a Family Cow. http://familycow.proboards.com
Lots of homesteading/ag types and just a great board.
They have several sub boards there and one of them is on bees I think.
I know that there are several people there that keep bees and have great advice.
I hope this is ok to post about another board. Its soo not about dog training, but if its not allowed please mods, remove my post.

 Quote: Al Curbow

Yeah Will, how do you teach the bee recall? Marker training or compulsion?

With little, teeny, tiny prong collars. They're a bitch to get on, but work like a charm.

Bee Recall... You mean they don't respond to HERE???

Thanks for the advice everyone!!!! I am soaking it all up, so keep it coming!! Up til about a week ago, I didn't even know there was different races of Honey Bee. I will have to check into registration of the hive... not sure if it's needed or not in this area.

I am most concerned about getting them through the spring weather and until they can get some nectar going. What if they don't like the "candy" I give them? What supplements are good for building comb?

And swarms. Thanks for reminding me about swarms, Will! I was hoping that with the luxury hive and my wonderful, sunshiny personality, they will never want to leave me! Guess I better rethink that.. if they leave Will, they will most certainly leave me in the dust I don't think I have to worry about the neighbor calling though... they are getting into this along with me... I might be calling them to complain about their errant bees

Right now, I have a picture in my head of Will in a little white bee suit and veil, wielding his yellow bee brush and smoker, heading out to catch his wandering bees with his super bee herding dog Fetz (or Buttercup)

You guys keep me young!!

--Kel

I just got a picture in my head of Will with protection bees, . Can't you hear him saying "they're not for everyone"

"Right now, I have a picture in my head of Will in a little white bee suit and veil"

Actually, it's a great big white bee suit!
And honestly, my wife does most of the bee tending, she was a 4H bee keeper in her youth.

And Fetz and Frannie *eat* my bees instead of herding them.....*sigh*

 Quote: leih merigian

 Quote: will rambeau

Keep a couple of mid-size cardboard boxes around for swarm retrieval.

So, how do you get the errant bees to rejoin you? Bait the cardboard box? I can imagine this must be a rather funny sight to see...comere, little bees....

leih

Ahh, once you've found your AWOL swarm, you just smoke them to calm them down, and them scrap them ( gentley ) into the cardboard box and close it.
Return home and re-introduce your wayward wards back into their hive until their next attempt to remake the classic move "The Great Escape".