I bought 5 acres last Sept. and we immediately found a big hill of trees, limbs, etc, that the previous owner had mounded up and left in the middle of the forest. We basically figured that we'd have to have it professionally removed when money allowed and built a chicken coop next to it. Shortly thereafter, my kids figured out that there is a bee hive in it. The bees come and go but have left my kids and chickens alone and everyone was happy. Well, yesterday one of the kids ran up the hill following a wayward chicken and the bees came out to defend themselves. Kid was fine, chicken started dancing like I've never seen so I think she got stung. So... we've been wanting to start a domestic hive for honey, wax, and pollenation.
Today I called a "bee expert" who supposedly does live transfers and who is working with the biggest university in the state to learn bee habits and stuff. Supposedly. Basically, he told me that all wild hives much be killed and that keeping domestic bees is "not some little hobby". He obviously took me for a flippant, uneducated woman and nothing makes me more mad! He informed me (actually, I already had read) that in our state (Florida) you must be licensed, examined annually, and a bunch of other buearacratic hoops to keep bees legally. I KNOW that some hives can be transferred. I don't know anyone locally that keeps bees, though, so I don't know who to turn to for help. I guess I can call those on the state licensing list that are nearby me and beg pity.
What I'm wondering is whether it's really as difficult as this guy made it sound or whether any of you have done it. Also, do you register with the state where you are or have you adopted a "don't ask don't tell" policy? I do realize that aggressive African bees are one variety that are present in my area and realize that I wouldn't want to keep them but I really don't believe that that's what I have here. They seem much more likely to be something more docile.
Today I called a "bee expert" who supposedly does live transfers and who is working with the biggest university in the state to learn bee habits and stuff. Supposedly. Basically, he told me that all wild hives much be killed and that keeping domestic bees is "not some little hobby". He obviously took me for a flippant, uneducated woman and nothing makes me more mad! He informed me (actually, I already had read) that in our state (Florida) you must be licensed, examined annually, and a bunch of other buearacratic hoops to keep bees legally. I KNOW that some hives can be transferred. I don't know anyone locally that keeps bees, though, so I don't know who to turn to for help. I guess I can call those on the state licensing list that are nearby me and beg pity.
What I'm wondering is whether it's really as difficult as this guy made it sound or whether any of you have done it. Also, do you register with the state where you are or have you adopted a "don't ask don't tell" policy? I do realize that aggressive African bees are one variety that are present in my area and realize that I wouldn't want to keep them but I really don't believe that that's what I have here. They seem much more likely to be something more docile.
