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| visitors cause extra excitement around hive |
Beekeeping in Hampton Roads
... when a Realtor gets curious about honey bees
The past year or so I have been a "Bee Groupie".
I will stand up proud and admit that I am a bit obsessed with honey bees.
These beautiful ladies that happily buzz throughout coastal Virginia are remarkable girls.
Pollinating fruits, vegetables, and flowers keep honey bees busy.
I began my beekeeping education with research. Several of my dear friends are beekeepers.
Last year, I got to joyfully watch a swarm be delivered to my friend's hive in Chesapeake.
I did not have any protective gear so stood back and captured the experience in photos.
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| Roses Ridge Farm gets honey bees! |
Watching the swarm arrive in a bucket with netting around it was a sight to behold!
It made me wonder about beekeeping in town.
The legalities and safety measures that could be taken,
to have my own bees in Virginia Beach, were all running through my head.
I had and still have so many questions!
Here are a few of the things I have found out.
It is legal to have honey bees in Hampton Roads!
I joined Beekeepers Guild of Southeast Virginia and took a beginning beekeeper class.
The state apiarist came and spoke about all of the Virginia guidelines.
I learned that to get Virginia Beach's Mosquito Control not to spray your property
all you have to do is call and ask. They add you to a list of beekeepers and come put a "red sign" up.
This marker lets the sprayer know to stop spraying at your property.
Here is the number: 757-426-5420
Here are a few photos from the guilds open hive spring gathering.
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| looking for brood cells and honey on a frame |
I am still preparing to get my own honey bees.
I am buzzing with excitement to share more with you as I grow as an apiarist (beekeeper).
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| Can you tell I had fun? |
