new to bees

[Paul H]

I have just begun beekeeping classes at the local Cooperative Extension and look forward to getting started in this new hobby.  I currently have two colonies of bees living in the trunks of two catalpa trees behind the shed.  Watching them swarm in the spring of '06 got me interested in learning more.  Along with the increased pollination for the apples trees and raspberry bushes, I want to have "my" own honey for making mead.

[asprince]

Welcome Paul,

Free bees, what a way to start. Now the fun starts if you plan to recover them. Use the search function of this forum, there are some good threads on trapping and cutouts.

Good luck, Steve 

[Paul H]

Free bees, what a way to start.

Well, I did order bees along with all the stuff I need to get started, but I have been researching and looking into trapping the existing bees.  Time is not an issue, I have all summer. I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing before getting started.

[JP]

Paul, I think you decided wisely to purchase a few packages to get set up with. Getting bees out of trees is tricky, and there's never any guarantees that you'll get the queen anyway. I would leave these hives in the trees and observe them for now. You could also put out a few swarm traps with some lemongrass oil in a vial, or placed directly on the traps in your yard somewhere, during the swarming times in your area, which would be your spring through summer. You just might catch some swarms from your area or the trees to add to your apiary. Best of luck.

Sincerely, JP

[Cindi]

Paul, welcome to our forum.  You have found a great place to help you out with any ol' question that you may want to ask.  And remember, to always ask any question, no question does not deserve a well thought out answer.  You will be amazed at what you will learn in pretty quick order.  Good, you will have the addiction of the bees soon, looks like you already are close to being an addict already, hee, hee,  :) :).  Have a wonderful great day.  Cindi