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Offline Riverrat

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Another Rat scenario
« on: January 10, 2016, 09:31:21 am »
The closest you have ever been to beekeeping was getting stung barefoot in the yard has a kid, however, you have been seeing on the news bees are dying off at an alarming rate.  You have made the decision you are going to join the efforts to save the bees and dive into beekeeping. You have the latest Dadant, Betterbee and Brushy mountain catalogs.  You have thoroughly studied  for weeks and finally arrived at the conclusion you are ready to get started.  Its late August you have saved up  a couple grand to spend.  You need a timeline of what your going to buy and when.  You have to figure out what your going to do for bees.  and how are you going to get all this new equipment by the spouse since they wants no part of your newest venture.  READY, SET, GO!!!!

Ok I got to throw one more task in to help out.  You have to descide which bee forum your going to join. ;D
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Offline iddee

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2016, 09:47:07 am »
#1... Make appointment with psychiatrist.   :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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Offline Bakersdozen

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2016, 10:26:43 am »
I love a good rat scenario!  Here are some of my thoughts:

1.Join a local bee club because beekeeping varies widely across the state and country.  Introduce yourself and seek out beekeepers close to you that are willing and open to talk.  Get chummy with that beek.  They are a wealth of info.
2. It's late August. Go to a local farmers market.  Look for the beekeeper selling honey.  Politely inquire about bee clubs, mentors, classes, suggested reading material, etc.  If you have done some of your homework and ask intelligent questions, they will know how serious you are.
4.Read more than dealer catalogs.  (BOOKS)  Dadant, Brushy etc. are full of info, but their goal is to sell you equipment.  Not all of it is necessary to get started.  You may have studied the catalogs for weeks, but beekeeping is a life long learning adventure.  Also, there is no substitute for actually opening a hive and observing what is taking place.
5. It's late August, you still have time to assist your new beekeeper friend with his hives.  Get stung and see if you are allergic.  Body chemistry changes over the years.  If you haven't been stung since childhood, you may have a severe reaction.   You may discover that this really isn't the hobby for you.  You might be better off just planting some bee friendly plants.


6.  If you do take the plunge and the spouse is apprehensive about bees in the backyard, give it time.  Mine came around especially when co-workers, family and friends ooh and ahh over receiving honey for Christmas and birthdays.  He still has no interest in getting near a hive, but he doesn't comment when I spend money on this crazy hobby.  From reading posts on this forum, I noticed many spouses have gotten involved with making soaps, candles and packaging honey. 
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Offline Ray4852

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2016, 11:31:18 am »
 if you start out slow and learn the basics first. Beekeeping is very affordable. I don’t think our bees are dieing like the experts say they are. My hives aren’t dieing. My wife never complained about my beekeeping hobby. She stepped right in and took over the wax melting and honey extracting part of it. Woman make good beekeepers. If you think spouse like to complain. Bring her in and let her be the boss. You might learn something.
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Offline Les

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2016, 01:13:40 pm »
The two best things I did were to work hives with a beekeeper and join a bee group.  But as far as moral support, WWB was my lifeboat!
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Offline Perry

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2016, 01:36:43 pm »
First, you've already saved up a couple grand, so I will assume that was done on the sly and your spouse don't know about it. Next, you convince your spouse that you really need a hobby and that you think you've found the ticket. You sell them on the fact you are doing something beneficial for the garden, etc., and it may even make a few bucks.
Once you have done that, you can comfortably start buying stuff and slowly augment each purchase with some of the 2 grand you have stashed. Make a few sales of honey and show your spouse the money coming in as a result of your new hobby. Augmenting the "income" with a little of the 2 grand may help push things over the top and be money well "invested".
If deception doesn't work you can always try the honesty route, but that doesn't work all the time either. If you don't believe me, ask me. ;D
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Offline Jen

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2016, 03:14:15 pm »
#1... Make appointment with psychiatrist ~~ that's funny   :D

I my case scenario. Let an acupuncturist sting me with one bee. Cool! No pain in my wrist! Probably need a little hive of my own just for pain relieving stings. Go to farmers market talk to beekeeper. Go to beekeepers house the next day and come home with a little
"patio hive". Place the hive in my back yard.  Take about 10 steps back and stare at the little hive scratching head without the vaguest... not an inkling...not a single clue of what to do next...

My Advice? Don't Do It This Way  ???
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Offline neillsayers

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2016, 10:43:33 pm »
I have always been fascinated with the idea of beekeeping, but I knew to do it right I needed to study up and spend time with them. In my twenties I set a goal of retiring at 50. That goal required working like an idiot 60+ hours a week for years. It didn't leave much time for anything else. I had some setbacks. My first wife was gravely ill for several years and when she passed away I was drowning in medical debt. I buckled down and worked 7-12s for the next ten years and managed to pay off all my debts and start a new home. Still working on the house but we own it free and clear and I was able to retire at 51. After a few years my sweet wife suggested I get some bees and I was off. When one considers that she is allergic to insect stings, it makes her even more special.

I probably do need a psychiatrist but I am pretty happy. :)
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Offline Jen

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2016, 10:50:10 pm »
Nice story Neill  :) how long have you been beekeeping now?
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Offline neillsayers

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2016, 08:26:18 pm »
Jen,

Started two hives last spring and have one left. Seems really strong and gonna make it. I've ordered two nucs to start in the spring and I hope I can always do this. Love it!
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Neill Sayers
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Offline Zulu

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2016, 11:01:26 pm »
Meet up with Iddee, and his enthusiastic energy will have you climbing trees and tearing into ceilings before you know it....


I'm back .....
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Offline Jen

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2016, 11:09:58 pm »
Hi Zulu  ;D  Nice to see ya around
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Offline Zulu

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2016, 11:10:41 pm »
Quote from: Jen on January 12, 2016, 11:09:58 pm
Hi Zulu  ;D  Nice to see ya around

Thanks
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Offline Barbarian

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2016, 12:40:44 am »
Missed you Zulu.

Nice to have you back.
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Offline jb63

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2016, 09:49:11 am »
Hi Zulu 8)
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Offline mamapoppybee

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #15 on: February 19, 2016, 02:55:21 pm »
Hubby was against at first then I shared all my learnings, their importance and now I see him some weekends with a beer sat down beside the hive talking to the bees. He was so nervous about how they would react to the mower. Man have we come along way in two years!
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Offline Les

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #16 on: February 24, 2016, 08:47:00 am »
Hi Jen,  here is the link for where I bought my bee jacket.
http://www.betterbee.com/jackets-and-suits/jacket1-fullvent.asp
It was pricey but I perspire so much, it was worth it.  I have not been stung through it yet.
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Offline Bee Commander

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #17 on: February 25, 2016, 08:59:14 am »
Read, Read, Read, Read, buy a OAV vaporizer, read, read, read!
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Offline Les

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #18 on: February 25, 2016, 09:02:44 am »
Bee Commander......I have, have, have one LOL
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Offline Bee Commander

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Re: Another Rat scenario
« Reply #19 on: February 25, 2016, 06:27:46 pm »
Quote from: Les on February 25, 2016, 09:02:44 am
Bee Commander......I have, have, have one LOL
You go girl!!!!!!! ;D
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