Bees In The Barnyard

[Barnyard]

My cousin stopped by about two weeks ago. I haven’t seen him for several years but I do see his brother now and then. He looked over my place and said “I’d like to work out a deal with you”. I’m thinking, “Uh oh, here it comes!” anytime somebody tells me that, family or not, I figure it’s time to run the other way.

So I decided to hear him out. It turns out he is a beekeeper with about eight hives. The county park next to me is full of goldenrod and he has been looking for an area to set his hives so the bees would collect the pollen. The park will not allow anyone to set hives on their property for obvious reasons. He asked if I would mind if he set about four hives at the far end of my place next to the park fence line. He offered me a couple quarts of honey in return.

The honey didn’t matter to me as much as the fact it is good to see the honey bees taken care of. The offer of the honey did sweeten the pot though (pun intended). I am a big fan of saving the honey bee colonies so I agreed to allow him to set the hives. My only concern was my Border Collies. They like to get into things and love chasing bugs. I asked if he thought they would try to chase the bees. He said they might but only once. After a swarm has given them a lesson in being nosy they wouldn’t bother them again. Borders are smart dogs and they learn quickly what not to stick their nose into.

The dog part bothered me so he agreed to put up a temporary fence to keep the girls away. He also said he would cut the grass around the hives about every two weeks when he came to check on the hives. Being satisfied the dogs would be safe and knowing I would be helping keep the honey bee population thriving I told him to bring ‘em on.

[Cecil]

I always thought it would be nice to have a hive. Especially with the orchard so close across the street and all of the clover in the field out back.

[Don McCombs]

Cecil,

We'll talk about beekeeping in October.

[daddydip]

bill i'm glad you allowed him to set up but you should have held out for a gallon.

[beaconlight]

By ne it isn't doge to worry about but Black Bears. All the successful bee keepers use stout Electric fence.
Strange I should see this tonight, for last night as I came home from the Delaware county fair what should jump the guard rail about 3 miles as the crow flies but 7 or 8 by road but a 3/4 grown Black bear.