Bees Bees Bees

urbanraven · Aug 21, 2005

In my effort to learn more about Mead, I've decided to read as much as I can about bees and honey production. At the suggestion of a member of another board, I picked up Ted Hooper's Guide to Bees and Honey. It's been a fun read.

It was last updated over 20 years ago, and while I'm sure a lot hasn't changed (I could be wrong...), I'd still like to pick up something a little more recent. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

My next step, of course, is to track down Alaska bee keepers and bug the hell out of them for info. ;D

beeboy · Aug 22, 2005

Try the "ABC-XYZ of Bees" it will give you just about everything you need to know about bee keeping. I would think beekeeping in Alaska would be really difficult because of the extended winter. I've been a hobby beekeeper for about 10 years and would always loose a hive or two each winter and I was only in Pennsylvania. I just relocated to Florida with one hive and plan to get a couple more when I get settled. Try to find a beekeeper in you area and learn from him, Alaska is a harsh place for bees. Good Luck, Beeboy

urbanraven · Aug 23, 2005

Thanks for the tip, I'll track that book down. Think I saw it when browsing Amazon.

Not sure how keepers winter their bees here. The number of people keeping them has increased in the last couple of years, though mostly they only keep on the order of 3 to 5 hives. The one person I knew that kept a large number moved to Hawaii about a year ago.

David Baldwin · Aug 24, 2005

Urbanraven,

I may have a lead for you on a beekeeper in the Anchorage area. I'll check with my contact and see if he's still doing Alaskan Fireweed Honey.

urbanraven · Aug 24, 2005

That'd be cool. I'm rather partial to fireweed honey, but it seems to be primarily marketed to the tourist industry here in Fairbanks, meaning they sell it in small containers for ungodly amounts of money.

I ran into one guy at our local farmers market who, when I asked if he had fireweed honey, huffed and said "It's all honey, what's the difference." I didn't buy anything from him. When you're producing the stuff, you ought to know, I s'pose.

kace069 · Aug 25, 2005

www.Beesource.com is full of information. Even downloadable plans to make your own beekeeping equipment. I'm a hobbyist beekeeper and luckily enough I have had the chance to work part time for a commercial beekeeper. Wow what a great opprutunity that is. My only thought is geez its gotta be tough to do in alaska.

byathread · Aug 26, 2005

I have to agree with Kace, BeeSource is a great website with TONS of information. As far as beekeeping in Alaska, I would guess its like everything else...you just have to adapt. Beekeeping is a major industry in many northern climes. Best of luck Urban! And do your best to make friends with any local beekeepers you can find.

PS - I found a couple links that may be helpful.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/akbeekeepers/ Doesn't look very active, but beekeepers are busy folks
http://www.beeculture.com/content/whoswho/index.cfm?state=AK#state Listing of 3 beekeeper associations in AK
http://balder.prohosting.com/~starrier/ Alaska Honeybee Homepage

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