2 Hives for a Bee-giner

[CapeCod]

I ordered my bee's before I got enough info.
I have read several theads that read that a bee-giner should start with 2 hives.
I ordered 1 package and starter kit,,,but I have room for 2 due to my enthusiums on the hobby I built another hive myself,,,2 broods//2 supers//inner cover//telescoping top//and bottom board(no screen)
Its not the cost that is a factor here more the hesitation on my part to put 10-20,000 bees into my neighborhood.
How are your feelings for a bee-giner to have 2 hives to start.

[CBEE]

I wouldn't worry about 2 hives at all. There are people that keep them on roof tops and balconies in the middle of the city

[deejaycee]

I have two hives right in my backyard in town.  One very large and one moderate sized, No problem at all.  Unless you're standing within ten feet of the front of the hive (and therefore in their flight path), you'd not know they're there. 

We had a dozen people for lunch on Sunday, and ate in the backyard about 20-30 feet from the hives, no worries.  The trick to that is simply that our picnic table is across the yard by our garage and house - the bees have already flown well up to clear the buildings before they reach our side of the yard, thereby missing all the humans as well.

We could easily put up a 'fence' to encourage the girls to fly higher even sooner, but realistically we wouldn't really use more of the yard than is already available to us anyway.

It's not a bad idea in a residential area to pick a spot that it 'out of sight, out of mind' for your neighbours, and make sure the girls have a water source handy, but other than that.. go for it.

Oh, and if the issue is having two hives versus just having one, look at it this way: having two hives gives you the ability to be more aware of potential problems with either hive by comparison, and the means to address those problems quickly and easily (availability of brood, stores, etc).. all of which means happier, busier, calmer bees.

[Moonshae]

I had 2 full sized hives and 2 nucs on my 1/5 acre plot. Between my next door neighbors, there are 5 kids under 10 years old. My one neighbor didn't even know I had bees until October.

You'll be fine.  ;)

[Michael Bush]

I've got 20 hives in my backyard... during queen rearing season it's more like 50...  No one even notices an increase in bees except at the water bucket where I water them.

[Alan Forbes]

I had hives for 5 years at my old house before I told my neighbors (brought them some honey).  Soon after I told one of my neighbors, he called me over to his house as he was upset that a lot of my bees were on his patio.  I went over only to find yellow jackets drinking water from his just-watered lawn. 

Many people don't know the difference between a yellow jacket and a honey bee. 

[CapeCod]

Just ordered my second package from NEBEES.COM .
You all have made me feel more secure in the keeping of 2 hives.
My neigbhor does not have the money to get his own hive, but he really  wants to learn so I think I will give him command of 1 of the hives.
Thank you everyone for your input.

[annette]

I started with only 1 hive, but split it last summer and now have 2 hives. I can really see the importance of having at least 2 hives. I have switched out frames to help each hive as needed. You can also compare how each is doing.

Good Luck
Annette

[KONASDAD]

My neighbors dont know I have five and I live in a very congetsed area. Just give them water. Two hives are way better than one. One can help the other, you can inspect one a week so as not to disturb them too much, but satisfy your needs to look the first year. They can make up for any mistakes you might/will make. I would also suggest Italians the first year. Everyone has an opinion, but they are brood happy bees which can make up for a lot of mistakes when things go wrong, which they will. They need more food and sometimes meds, are gentle and great honey producers. They will educate you quickly to most of the needed skills for beekeeping.

[Scadsobees]

Yeah, I too have a bunch of hives in the suburbs.  1 Obs. hive, 2 10-frame nucs and 6 regular hives.  I have 5 kids 10 and under, just under 1/2 acre.  I do have lots of tall trees, though, forces the bees up before they go out.

Most if not all of the neighbors know about the hives.  The kids go around the neighborhood selling honey, after all.... (I don't think most people realize that the honey comes from the neighborhood, though)

Just keep in mind that most of the ones that come out fly up to a half mile away to find flowers.  Swarming can be a problem.

Now you just have the long wait till they arrive!!! :shock:  April is what...about 30 years away????

Rick