> So, I was searching the net for beeswax and became fascintated by keeping of bees. I'm "assuming" that I can save money on beeswax by keeping bees myself.
You'd have to raise a lot of bees to get very much beeswax. On the other hand you'll meet a lot of beekeepers who have beeswax and since a large part of the cost is shipping, you can buy direct from the source of all those wonderful beekeepers you meet at bee club meetings.
> I also LOVE honey...
You won't have any shortage of that if you have bees.
>I know this is a hobby that my wife would never encourage, because she is frightened (and possibly allergic) of bees.
It's doubtful that she is "possibly" allergic. Everyone has swelling and itching when they get stung. Allergic means you break out in hives, swell all over, and/or have trouble breathing. If you seriously think she might be, get testing. There are bees everywhere even if you don't have hives in your yard. On the other hand, I've had hives in my yard for the last 32 years and my wife has never been stung. I extract in the kitchen and there are often a hundred or so bees in my kitchen during harvest.
> I probably don't have the ideal yard, but I could be wrong. I think it is large enough, and I live across the street from Spring Hill Nursery. My front yard is mostly clover too.
Since the bees will forage the 8,000 acres around you, that is really what is the issue.
>Anyway, I find honey bees fascinating
You ain't seen nothing yet. Wait unil you have an observation hive in your living room and several hives in the yard. Bees are still fascinating decades later. Here's some basic bee information:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesbasics.htm> so I thought it might be at least entertaining to give it a try.
Very.
>Now seems like the best time to make the decision, attend a local class and then unload some tax return money on some equipment.
Sure. Before you go buy a lot of equipment you should consider what your options are:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htmhttp://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm>One other possibility, if my yard doesn't seem fit, is to borrow space from my brother-in-law's parents.
One nice thing about beekeeping, it's one of the few agricultural pursuits where you mostly use other peoples land for free.
> They have a large, deep yard in farm country. No real neighbors to the rear. They keep a large garden and have many fruit trees.
They would get a lot of benefit from the bees.
>Well, there's that. Talk me down, someone!
Beekeeping is addictive. It will consume you. Bees do mind control on you and make you think about them all the time. There is no limit to the amount of money and time you can spend on them. Run away now while you still can.
