Vancouver's Leader in Transition toward Strong, Resilient, Complete Communities

Beekeeping Network

Information

We organize get-togethers for those who are already beekeepers and we hold information sessions on beekeeping for people who want to start! (Join VV, then Beekeeping)

Location: Vancouver
Members: 138
Latest Activity: Jul 16

25 members like this

Beekeeeping is part of the Village Food Group and Neighbourhood Food Network

Dear beekeepers and other beekeeping enthusiasts,

I encourage you to become part of a neighbourhood group where you can meet in person with other beekeepers regularly (or with people interested in beekeeping). Steve and I are part of a group of about 10 beekeepers that was created last spring. We had a couple of get-togethers last year and it was invaluable (and fun!) to learn from each others’ experiences. So far I have responses from people who would like to start a group in the Commercial Drive area, Dunbar and North Vancouver. I suggest creating groups based on where you live - having people that live near by who can lend a hand (or hive box if your bees swarm!) can be very helpful.

Please note that during Anna's absence, you may contact Steve Sandve (beekeeper) or Cylia for questions and help furthering ideas related to beekeeping. (Click on the links at their names above to open up their Village page, and write them a note on their Comment Wall.)

Join the Neighbourhood Food Network here.

Discussion Forum

View All

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of Beekeeping Network to add comments!

Comment by Corine on February 19, 2011 at 10:53pm: Hi folks,

I will have a dozen nucs to sell at the beginning of June. My nucs consist of 5 frames of bees and brute with one newly mated queen. I use organic beekeeping techniques and low impact IPM treatments for mites. My breeding program selects the most disease resistant strains. My bee yard is in Bella Coola, BC where there are no other Apis Mellifera and thus no risk of cross contamination. I will be bringing them to Vancouver at the beginning of June. Each nuc is $250.

Drop me a line if you have any questions:

[email protected]

Comment by Steve Sandve on February 2, 2011 at 10:27am: Any one interested in coming to the meeting next week?

Richmond Beekeepers Association: Meet at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of every month (except July & August) at the Kinsmen Nature Park Pavilion in Richmond (slightly west of Westminster Hwy & No. 5 Road). Info Chris Kramer 604-992-7431.

We can carpool contact me or check out the Vancouver Honeybee Keeners

http://www.meetup.com/Honeybee-Keeners/

Comment by Cylia on January 22, 2011 at 11:17am: Exclusive: Bees facing a poisoned spring

New kind of pesticide, widely used in UK, may be helping to kill off the world's honeybees

By Michael McCarthy, Environment Editor

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/exclusive-bees-facing-a-poisoned-spring-2189267.html

Comment by Cylia on January 15, 2011 at 9:27am: Just joined the Vancouver Honeybee Keeners Meetup group as well. Would be grand if we could get honeybees for one of the community gardens I am a member of.

Comment by Anna Chase on January 13, 2011 at 11:00pm: Message from Brian regarding where to purchase bees:

(Thank you Brian)

There are two new beekeeping supply companies on the scene:

www.twobeesapiary.com

www.urbanbeesupplies.ca

I don't think Urban Bees sells bees and their equipment list is limited but they seem to know what they are doing and their prices are comparable to Bob's. Two Bees Apiary sells nucs later in the year. Their prices on equipment are about the same as Bob's and they basically carry the same thing, a little more limited in scope.

If someone is wanting to buy a New Zealand package, they start arriving about the second week of February. Bob is selling 4 lb packages for $175. The US is banning the importation of bees from Australia which is putting a higher demand on other sources, hence prices are up significantly. It's better to get a later start with BC bred and raised bees.

Joe www.joewasp.com , is a good source of quality swarms, cheaper than buying a package or a nuc. Generally they start becoming available in May, swarm season. The down side to starting with a swarm is generally the queen is old, usually at least two years. Frequently old queens die in the winter causing the colony to die with her. That means if hiving a swarm it's a good idea to requeen in the summer.

This is the list of suppliers from the Richmond Beekeepers Association:

Two Bees Apiary Lianne and Trevor Shyry, 778.237.8711 www.twobeesapiary.com

Flying Dutchman Stan and Cheryl Reist, 1.877.390.6890

Hardie Honey Dwayne Hardie, 1.250.748.8471

Westcoast Bees Bob Fisher, 604.272.1921

Heather Higo 604.532.6904 (local queens)

As I mentioned earlier I'll be making up a 1/2 dozen nucs for sale this spring. $150 each. From survivor stock, that is bees that haven't had Varroa mite treatment but have managed that pressure. It'll be on a first come first served basis. Interested parties can reach me at

I'm hoping to get a local bee breeding program going. A queen and drone exchange, maybe having a mating field in Vancouver or Richmond. A lot of details to work out. I'll keep you posted.

Comment by Amy Tran on January 11, 2011 at 12:56am: Hi everyone! I hope the following isn't regarded as spam of any sort. The link is for a petition organized by Avaaz.org to raise immediate concern and to strongly encourage the US and EU to ban dangerous pesticides that are threatening (and very likely decimating) bee populations: http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/

Comment by Steve Sandve on January 10, 2011 at 11:31am: I want to start a hive this spring and was wondering if anyone has any links or contacts for well priced, quality equipment?

Are there any other people starting their first hives this spring?

Steve

Comment by Emme.Ann.Lee on October 2, 2010 at 8:33pm: Great info session today ... Thank-you to all of those involved who provided their know-how and advice!

Very excited about getting going!

Comment by Anna Chase on September 27, 2010 at 1:12pm: A reminder: Introduction to Backyard Beekeeping!

You are invited to attend a gathering to learn more about backyard beekeeping on Saturday Oct 2nd at our home, 550 east 19th Ave., 1 to 3 pm. Last year we became beekeepers, and I am excited to tell you about our wonderful experiences. Also, valuable beekeeping information will be given by Master beekeeper Brian Campbell with Blessed Bee farms http://blessedbeeapiary.tumblr.com/ Weather permitting we will open up a beehive so that you can get a closer look. (We also have an observation hive which will allow us to see the bees through glass).

A beekeeping support/learning group now exists in our neighbourhood! We have found that it is very valuable to get to know beekeepers living close by, as there are times when we need assistance and advice. You are welcome to join the Village Vancouver beekeeping group (for beekeepers and people who are interested in becoming beekeepers) http://villagevancouver.ning.com/group/beekeeping

Please let me know if you can come to the gathering on Oct 2nd, as space is limited, or contact me for further details [email protected] (*this gathering is also great for kids and it’s free!) If you want to pass this on to anyone please see poster attached Introduction to Backyard Beekeeping.doc
I hope you can make it!
Anna Chase

Comment by Hannah Carpendale on September 17, 2010 at 1:23pm: Hi there!
The EYA Beekeeping Apprenticeship Program is organising a Community Bee Day this Saturday (Sept.18th) from 11am-1pm at the Means of Production Gardens (E 6th & St. Catherines). We will be presenting what we have learned on various topics related to backyard beekeeping, and will have honey treats, tea and music! Hope you will join us!