No Bees

[so lucky]

@Bluejay77, the bean that the BJs like so well is Feijao Catarino. It is a vigorous climber, but not so quick in flowering. The BJs haven't really hurt it, as the foliage is pretty lush. The Zambezi #1 is a bit shorter, earlier flowering and not so attractive to JBs.

 

[Jeni Ann]

I have Bees! 2 hives! Sadly I lost my 1st during that hideous horrible nasty insanely awful winter we had. The bees are just going gang busters right now. I live amongst the corn fields, but they are bringing in loads of pollen and nectar: they are making honey like little Bosses! Those tiny wings can take them places. I also have a fantastic meadow full of "weeds" for the bees and butterflies

 

[Carol Dee]

I have Bees! 2 hives! Sadly I lost my 1st during that hideous horrible nasty insanely awful winter we had. The bees are just going gang busters right now. I live amongst the corn fields, but they are bringing in loads of pollen and nectar: they are making honey like little Bosses! Those tiny wings can take them places. I also have a fantastic meadow full of "weeds" for the bees and butterflies

They like photos. So go ahead and post a few. I bet everyone would love to see your little meadow.

 

[Carol Dee]

We lost both hives over the winter. Fortunately we where able to get new bees this spring. I see more bumble bees than bees at our garden even with the hives there. Puzzling.

 

[seedcorn]

NE IN was cold. Hives made it fine.

Bees do not feed on corn or soybean pollen or flowers unless starved to it. Not even sure if even then. In all my years of walking corn/soybean fields, I can't remember ever seeing bees. In weeds beside the fields, loaded.

Insecticides used on plants has an effective withdrawal of 14 days.

Bees pollinate most vegetables so everyone stop using any insecticides like soaps, Bt, etc.

 

[Jeni Ann]

Seedcorn, you are so right! The best pest control is handpicking. Tedious and often seems pointless, even in a smallish garden. But it is safe.

 

[canesisters]

Quick bee question for yall that know them - is it possible to 'lure' bees into a hive?? Can you set up an empty bee box in the middle of a 'bee garden' and have a hive 'move in'??

<-- has ZERO knowledge about honey bees other than to try and not hurt them

 

[Smart Red]

If you can find bees when they are swarming and you manage to collect the queen to put into your hive, the others will happily follow her and set up housekeeping.

 

[ducks4you]

I've seen bees, no sure which kind. Have you considered cultivating mason bees? They are native, hardy, rarely sting and are excellent pollinators. Here is an article I found in 5 seconds of search.
http://activerain.trulia.com/blogsv...ason-bees-to-your-gardens-in-clark-county--wa

 

[Jeni Ann]

Canesisters, there are such things called Swarm Traps. I have one. I have never attracted a wild swarm ... but who knows!? Here is a site that explains them some: http://feralhoneybees.homestead.com/Methods.html
they suggest using "nasanov" pheromones to attract bees. $$! I have always read/seen Lemon Grass extract suggested.