Is anyone here engaged in such a reputable, ancient, and cool hobby? I would like to for lack of a better term, "Get a Hive". I have no clue how to do it other than basic by using my Google-Fu which is very weak.

I understand the Bee-Suit(duh) and the smoker, and why it effects the bees the way it does, but not much else other than that.

Do Bees need constant mntc.? How long can they be left alone? I guess they have been doing it alright in nature for a long damn time....
What happens if they fill up their box / Hive?
Are they going to freak my neighbors out?
How many bees to I need to make a jar of Honey?
How much do Bees cost? I assume they are self replicating Bees, and will make more of themselfs? How many do you start with? What about wild bees? How do I get them? Is that even possible?


I do not want to make any of $ off of Honey, but I sure would like to have some for myself to naturally sweeten my food, and drink, and I think it would be doing the local flora a BIG favor. BeesWax is Kick ass also.

Should I buy a beekeeping starter kit? Shoull I beefriend(had to do it in here somewhere) a local Beekeeper?

Hopefully this will be 1 Thread in a series of Returning to basics series that I have planned. I have a HUGE project on my hands, and plan to reveal it here soon. The folks here are what I would call my Online Family, and I think they would be most interested in what I am doing. I mean HUGE project. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

SO who knows about Bees? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />