NEEPS

greenhorn · newbie Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 5

Hi,

I am a newbie on the bee front and was wondering if anyone knew of a good source locally to get, hives, bees, etc.

Thanks in advance for any info.

StuP · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:30 am Post subject:

There're a few not *too* far away...

Highland Bee Supplies, Crask, Farr, Inverness, IV2 6XF (Tel: 01808 521311)

Beeware, John Taylor, Milltimber, Inver, By Dunkeld, Perthshire, PH8 0JR (Tel. 01350 727587)

Thornes (closest one is near Dundee) http://www.thorne.co.uk/shops.htm

Thorne's local agent: AberdeenBeeSupplies@hotmail.com

StuP · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:36 am Post subject:

Also, check out http://www.aberdeenbeekeepers.com/ for the local beekeepers association

...or if you're in Moray http://www.moraybeekeepers.co.uk/

The Edinburgh & Midlothian Beekeepers website http://www.edinburghbeekeepers.org.uk/ also has an online forum that can be useful.

Best thing I can recommend if you're a novice is to join your local association and attend their classes. You'll also get good advice about which equipment is most appropriate to local conditions and some associations can get good discounts on buying equipment too.

Enjoy!

kimmie · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:47 am Post subject:

thanks for those tips stuP....i know there are a fair few people on here that will be interested in these links.....my OH being one

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Smooth Hound · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:28 am Post subject:

yes i think i may get a beehive one day

Lord_Azrael · Neepster Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 372 Location: Alves

I'm tempted...especially as the poor little blighters are declining so much lately.
I've got a friend who's taking me along to one of their meetings at some point this year to 'have a go'.
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greenhorn · newbie Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 5

Thanks that is a great help.

bracken · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject: bee stuff

The Dundee Thornes is a good day out - get there early as the old hands just about camp out there! Although I've been to the one in Lincolnshire and that really was the place to bee....!
They use these sale days to sell off many 'seconds' supers, floors, brood chambers, frames as well as all the normal paraphenalia. You would be able to by all the component parts of a hive, all of the associated equipment (suits, hive tools, smokers etc) and books etc.
Perhaps if a few folk were interested a group of Neeps could go and share the cost of fuel?

annepan001 · Neepster Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 125 Location: Midmar

Does anyone know of any beekeepers locally who keep bees organically?

I spoke to the beekeepers association down at the Royal Highland Show last summer, and they looked a bit sceptical when I asked that question.

I don't want to sign up with a group that turns to chemicals as a first resource. But what are the alternatives if the bees get mites / disease etc ??
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Diana · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:23 am Post subject:

There was supposed to be a guy setting up organic bees at Bridge of Muchalls near Stonehaven, but not heard any more about that. For an organic honey you'd need to be able to guarantee the bees were only foraging certified organic crops etc.

As to not using chemicals, there are alternatives - like oxalic and formic acid (both of which I believe are allowed in an organic system, but both have undesirable traits).

Having looked into it myself, I think the best way forward is:
a) Hygiene - keep the equipment clean (including the end of season hive clean) and the area around the hive clear.
b) Site - give the bees as perfect conditions as you can
c) Strain of bee - go for a Russian or Czech breed of bee. They are currently being researched as they show a much improved resistance to veroa. If you can keep that at bay the bees are less stressed and stronger, and less likely to surcome to disease

Any bee keeping club will turn to chemicals as a first resource - that's the way it's developed I'm afraid. If you arm yourself with as much info as pos about how you'd tackle P&Ds, local beekeeping clubs are still the way to go as the experience and advice is invaluable.

At the end of the day if your bees get P&Ds you need to sort it quick or you'll loose the bees. I'm not saying that means you have to turn to chemicals, but you do need to have the right plan of action in place before problems arise. IMO, prevention is better than cure, but swift reaction to a problem can often prevent it developing into something worse.

All just my opinion though
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