Beekeeping the natural way

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Beekeeping the natural way

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beesontoast

Joined: 01 Feb 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Devon, UK

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 09 2:01 pm Post subject: Beekeeping the natural way

There is a lot of new interest in beekeeping these days, thanks to the many news items about bees 'dying out' and so-called 'colony collapse disorder'.

Anyone interested in keeping bees is likely to make contact with their local beekeepers association - and there is nothing wrong with that - but you should be aware that you are likely to be taken down a path that involves a good deal of expensive equipment, and that will commit you to being fit enough to lift quite heavy boxes around.

If you are looking for a greener, more sustainable alternative way to keep bees, you might like to consider building yourself a 'top bar hive', which is really easy and can be done using hand tools only and recycled materials.

There are plenty of plans online, and you can download free instructions from my site, where we also have a busy and helpful mutual support forum.

I will also be happy to answer any beekeeping questions here.

www.biobees.com

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 09 2:12 pm Post subject:
welcome to the site, you'll find a fair few beekeepers here, and I'm sure we've got a few discussions on top bar beekeeping tucked away in the archives somewhere. Certainly if I didnt already have beehives I would be very tempted to try this method

Penny Outskirts

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 23385
Location: Planet, not on the....

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 09 2:39 pm Post subject:
Welcome to Downsizer. That looks really interesting, I'll download the book

Bulgarianlily

Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 1667
Location: South West Mountains of Bulgaria

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 09 3:21 pm Post subject:
That is fascinating, thanks for that, definately the way to go, I used to have bees but the idea of getting all that equipment again was putting me off!

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 09 3:24 pm Post subject:
Hi Welcome to Downsizer. I have one ordinary national hive, and am considering getting a top bar hive as well next season. This is my first year with bees, so I'm just hoping they make it through the Winter at the moment. Where in Devon are you? Do you know the apiary at Hoarestone?

beesontoast

Joined: 01 Feb 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Devon, UK

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 09 7:11 pm Post subject:
I'm near Totnes. Hoarstone sounds like north or west Devon...? I will be speaking at the spring conference in Holsworthy on Feb 28 if you are anywhere near there.

Mrs R

Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 7202

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 09 7:25 pm Post subject:
sounds brill- might give it a go!

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 09 7:28 pm Post subject:

beesontoast wrote:

I'm near Totnes. Hoarstone sounds like north or west Devon...? I will be speaking at the spring conference in Holsworthy on Feb 28 if you are anywhere near there.

Our apiary is sort of between Barnstaple and South Molton. Holsworthy isn't too far away. What are you speaking about?

beesontoast

Joined: 01 Feb 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Devon, UK

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 09 7:43 pm Post subject:
The title of the talk is, "What's Wrong With Modern Beekeeping?" see https://tinyurl.com/c9hevh

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 09 8:42 pm Post subject:
The link doesn't work for me?

beesontoast

Joined: 01 Feb 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Devon, UK

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 09 9:04 pm Post subject:
Sorry - try this one https://www.holsworthybeekeepers.org.uk/spring_convention_2009.htm

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