Hello from Shingle Springs, CA

[Beemistress]

Hi All!
I've been keeping bees on and off, never more than 1 hive.  Began to see the folly in that when all the bees disappeared this spring.  Maybe CCD?  Maybe just my poor beekeeping.  Since then I've decided to try and do better by the bees and have been reading more about them.  I bought a 3 lb. pkg with a queen and got my first hive populated again.  Then I got listed on the local bee supply store's swarm list and through their referrals I have collected 3 swarms this summer (so far).  I combined 2 of them in one hive, then gave the last swarm - which seems strong, its own hive just last week.  All 3 hives seem to be doing well now.

I'm excited to have so many bees now!  It feels strange to call them "my" bees, I think of them more as "companion insects" that I have induced to live in my garden.  I'm so glad to have found this forum too!  I looked and looked for an active beekeeping forum before finally finding this today.

I've never medicated my bees, but recently read "Beekeeping for Dummies" and thought maybe I should start.  But I have an organic farm and don't medicate anything else, so I was very glad to see your natural beekeeping forum.  I will be reading everything there, then the main board if I have extra time.

[buzzbee]

Welcome,
I am sure you will enjoy your time here at the Beemaster  Forums.There are topics here for about anything you can imagine and folks are more than glad to help any way they can!

[Cindi]

beemistress.  YOu will love this friendly and informative forum, ask any questions, tell any stories.  It is a great place to spend some quality time.  Have a wonderful day, great life.  Cindi

[buzzbeejr]

No dumb questions here beemistress, ask away and ppl will always be glad to help. i hope u find this site fun and informative.

[annette]

Hi Beemistress

If you have a moment, I live up the road from you in Placerville with 2 hives. Would love to get together to swap bee stories and check out your hives.

I am a new beekeeper with 1 year experience, but what an experience it has been. Many trials and tribulations to overcome and I have learned so much.

Send me a Private Message when you get a chance.

Annette