Oh Honey Honey

I love honey. When I was growing up I wasn't allowed to eat between meals. In order to survive as a 6 foot 135 lb 14-year-old I would sneak honey from the pantry. I would squeeze a large glob onto my hand and eat it. Mmm, the golden liquid tasted so good as it went down my throat.
I hear there is nothing more delicious than honey straight from the honeycomb. Conveniently I have recently become very interested in beekeeping. Apparently you can keep 60,000 bees in a wooden box in your backyard. These bees can make anywhere from 30-100lbs of surplus honey per hive. No more sneaking honey from the pantry for me!
Of course it's a little more complicated than just having 60,000 bees in a box. That box has to be a hive. Most are Langstroth hives to be more exact. These are boxes with 10 wooden frames in them with a 1/4" to 5/8" of space between them. This is called "bee space." Anymore space between the frames and the bees will build comb across the frames instead of just in the frames.
Starting a hive isn't actually that difficult. Surprisingly you can order a 3-pound box of bees along with a queen that will be delivered through the mail. That box will have approximately 10,000 bees in it! Below is a video showing how to install that package of bees into your new hive. It's quite fascinating. Hopefully someday I will have a hive and I can post video and pictures showing my progress.

Unfortunately the same thing inhibiting my new-found interest in bonsai is inhibiting this venture. I don't have any land. Also, the initial set-up can cost between $300-$500. As a graduate student I'm not exactly made of money so that is a bit steep. Although you can sell the honey you get and start making a profit within 2 years.




This picture was just too perfect to pass up. He is rollerblading while bees are all over his body. Intensity hand-chop anyone?