I'm pretty much BROKE at this point in the game of life and that combined with not wanting to jump in with both feet, limits what I can do. But here's what I would LIKE to do to "plant the seed" for years to come...

I would LIKE to know how to get set up with just one hive, one queen - and not sure if I need to get "friends" to start her out with or not - and for the most part just let them do their thing with my involvement being limited. I don't have the funding to get protective gear and whatever those "smokers" are called, etc. right now. But I think I am relatively competent when it comes to following directions for building a hive/box and I'm sure in my "scavenging" abilities to be able to come up with the materials to build such if I know what to get to go along with good building/construction directions/instructions (preferably with a diagram!).

If I can put that together, acquire the "starter stock", and know the best location on the property to place such - could I safely let them do their thing from there? I'm sitting on five acres and in an otherwise "rural" area and feel confident there would be plenty of existing plants for them to access/feed from - in addition to planting even more botanicals for them.

We have had a mega-drop in bee population in my area, especially the honey bees - so even though I'm not sure I'm ready to jump in with both feet, I would like to at least get a jump on a longer term plan/idea to get the honeybees back around here/provide them with a safe haven. Later on (when I have less to contend with with kids - just 3.5 years until the youngest turns 18), I can "see myself" donning all the protective gear and getting out to actively work with multiple hives. But for right now, I'd just like to get my toes dipped into this particular pool if anyone can offer some helpful advice and how-to's?

I've been told that there is a 4-H related bee keeping group around here, but that was several years ago and so far I haven't managed to connect with anyone locally on the subject.

I might should also add that the property I am on is also an ongoing project (for life) as a wildlife sanctuary (along with rescue/rehab, also for domestic species). What has been done to-date has been conducive for the wildlife, so expanding intentionally into welcoming honey bees here is in the same vein of what is already going on.

Remember to paint the outside of the hive with latex paint (white is best) but do NOT paint the inside or any surface that the bees will touch. They are extremely sensitive to smells.

For bees, what I did was just wait for a wild swarm to come by and I captured it and put it in the hive box. I hope you still have enough bees in your neighborhood to have swarms. You might want to ask your neighbors to be on the lookout for a swarm, once you get your box built.

As for bee equipment like a smoker, or a beesuit, I suppose you can make your own, if you're industrious enough.

You can build a top bar hive very cheaply from scrap. The dimensions aren't critical like a Langstroth hive.

To get bees free, sign up with your county agent and fire and police dispatchers for swarm pick ups.

Finally, read the Beesource forums and Michael Bush's website,
www.beesource.com/forums/index.php
www.bushfarms.com

A few years ago there were some local posts about bees - like in people's walls that they wanted out, but while I had an interest, I had absolutely no clue how to go about collecting them (and as yet, still don't). I have NEVER seen a swarm where I'm at - all I have noted is that I went from seeing some honeybees (gathering nectar from the spots of clover growth - unfortunately some of them killed by accident when stepped on or getting into a shoe) with some regularity but not en masse, to thinking the last honeybee I saw was ONE last year... ONE... horrible, huh?

While I understand the sense in capturing a swarm that is unwanted somewhere else (there haven't been anymore local posts like that in a long time), truthfully - based upon my reading in the past and the fact that one (out of four) of my kids is more sensitive/allergic to stings than "most people", I think I would prefer (preference not necessarily meaning it will turn out that way) to get a specific type of honeybee that is known for being "less aggressive". I remembered at least that much from past reading - different types being rated on their nature. I would have to re-read to know which ones were which of course, but I figure I have time.

I can scavenge materials for building hives. The only thing I don't feel confident about is jumping into 2 or "even better" 3 right off the bat. I understand the sense of it in the event of something happening and one or another needing some help, but at the same time, jumping right in like that would automatically have me tackling more than I think I'm ready for. Since it will probably be next Spring (???) before it would be "the time" for acquiring "starter stock", I guess I've got time to think on it and weigh things out.

While there is unquestionably a shortage of honeybees - we don't seem to be lacking with wasps, carpenter bees, some bumblebees, etc. Would siting a hive or three on the property have an effect with these other insects? I mean I'd happily give up the wasps and hornets and such, but by the same token, would these other types of "bees" pose any sort of threat to honeybees? I've seen other species of critters (generically speaking, but not in reference to bees) compete with one another and territory. If this would be an issue; honeybees I intentionally brought in, is there anything I should or could do to protect the honeybees from other insects? (I suss that other types of bees/wasps/hornets wouldn't be the only insect that could be a threat or problem for honeybees and their hives)

There's a section of the property that I could probably get tilled (with a tractor, way too much to handle with a hand-tiller) and sow that is "wide open" and full sun... right now that section is all-natural with a mix of grasses, "weeds", and some small spots of clover dotting it. What would you all recommend as a "choice" plant to sow it with (it would still be mixed because I won't use a blanket poison to kill what already exists there and tilling wouldn't nix all of the stuff either) for honeybees? I know there's more than just "clover" as a crop for them.... and I'm trying to think-ahead in that I would like to still mow (it's enough space that I mow with a tractor and bush-hog) it. I get less than positive comments when I let it grow up completely (because it looks like it should be baled :) so *ideally* I'd like something that would still bloom for honeybees but not grow terribly tall. I don't mind letting it grow to say around 6 inches tall - give or take, but the shorter while still being able to bloom, would be better.

That area is also a section of the property that is used by multiple canines and people for recreation - so would I encounter issues between "us" and honeybees for use of the space or ...? I'm not explaining this very well I'm afraid. I'm just trying to keep everyone happy, ya know? We need to be able to live in harmony with the honeybees - rather than me ending up with complaints from "everyone else" about the honeybees. (hence, all of my questions and research before I jump in)

I *might* be able to arrange fair use of another small chunk of property owned by family that could be sown for honeybees and hives kept there - but in the event that I could use that, the competition I already know I would encounter for the bees, would be deer and rabbits grazing. They feel totally safe grazing there and my family actually spent the last several years putting out corn for the deer and providing them with water as well. I only have sporadic and late-night visits from the deer myself as they are far more cautious on my property because of the dogs who usually don't ignore their presence except late at night. The deer and rabbits though, especially when we have high heat and drought like now, become incredibly bold in their quest for high-moisture content greens and will come right up to the homes - they pretty much destroyed shrubs and other plants last year and beginning this year that they had never before bothered and even "deer resistant" plants (that taste bad). So I have a concern about them eating everything intended to grow and bloom for bees.