Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

MEMBER BULLETIN BOARD => GREETINGS/TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF => Topic started by: gees_bees on February 22, 2013, 01:11:04 pm

Title: Hello from Canada!
Post by: gees_bees on February 22, 2013, 01:11:04 pm: Hi! I'm a Canadian new-bee and I call myself an "accidental beekeeper." I'm definitely feeling jealous of you guys in the south working away with your bees...

My husband and I started keeping bees 2 summers ago when a swarm set up shop in one of the exterior walls of my house. Knowing nothing about bees at the time, my husband put on his rubber rain suit, wrapped a sheet around his face, put on a hat and went to work, while I passed him smoking sticks...it was pretty ridiculous but we got it done (glad I have a video). At the time, we set the bees up in a old cabinet and later transferred them to a brood box. I was delighted when they overwintered. Now, I'm obsessed.

Since then we've had 3 swarms arrive at the same spot on the house. I like to think that the bees chose us. Everything was going great - the bees were doing great! But then, in the fall, a bear destroyed everything and we lost them all...It was a really really awful sight and a very sad day.

I'm looking forward to starting again with two nucs and an electric fence in the spring. I'm taking a course and just found this forum to help me learn.

And ofcourse, I'm hoping for another swarm...
Title: Re: Hello from Canada!
Post by: hardwood on February 22, 2013, 02:11:34 pm: Wow, what a great story! Welcome to the forum!

I know how bad a bear attack can make you feel, just lost 48 hives to one myself. Hopefully you'll get more swarms again this year!

Can't wait to see the video :)

Scott
Title: Re: Hello from Canada!
Post by: fshrgy99 on February 22, 2013, 02:32:46 pm: Hello Gees_Bees and welcome! Just so you're not lonely I greet you as an experienced forum member (joined yesterday) in Ontario. Yes, the snow is blowing sideways here too. Luckily, very few bears down this way. Would love to see the video!
Dennis in Kitchener
Title: Re: Hello from Canada!
Post by: gees_bees on February 22, 2013, 03:00:34 pm: Thanks for the welcome! I'll check with the star of the show first (well the bees were the true stars!) How would I post it? Would I need to post it to youtube first?
Title: Re: Hello from Canada!
Post by: gees_bees on February 22, 2013, 03:07:06 pm: Quote from: hardwood on February 22, 2013, 02:11:34 pm
Wow, what a great story! Welcome to the forum!

I know how bad a bear attack can make you feel, just lost 48 hives to one myself. Hopefully you'll get more swarms again this year!

Can't wait to see the video :)

Scott

48 hives! - that's really awful. I'm so sorry! thx for the welcome!
Title: Re: Hello from Canada!
Post by: Joe D on February 22, 2013, 03:11:59 pm: Welcome to the forum, Gees_Bees. Sorry to hear of your misfortune with the bear. Last years there was one sighted about eight mile from me, don't have any real close. Maybe you will get another swarm come to you this year. Good luck

Joe
Title: Re: Hello from Canada!
Post by: tefer2 on February 22, 2013, 03:21:09 pm: Welcome to the bee forum. Enjoy!
Title: Re: Hello from Canada!
Post by: Bee Happy on February 23, 2013, 03:19:52 am: Definitely the best start-up story I've ever heard. Sorry about the bear.
Title: Re: Hello from Canada!
Post by: AllenF on February 23, 2013, 09:47:28 pm: Welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Hello from Canada!
Post by: Course Bee on February 26, 2013, 12:45:40 pm: Welcome!
Title: Re: Hello from Canada!
Post by: Georgia Boy on February 27, 2013, 08:53:46 pm: Hey and Welcome.

It is I who is jealous of you. Sooo many swarms. You are lucky. Well mostly. :) Dang Bear. :(

Good luck and hope to see a lot of you on here.