Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thinking about getting some native bees to help with the pollination, and maybe even score some honey. I found this place http://www.uq.net.au/~zzrzabel/index.htm which is about 2 hours away. They cost about $300 for a nest and hive. Whilst it's a lot of money, I think I can justify it.

Anyone got a hive or any comments?

It is possible to justify anything
Bees are great you just need blossum

we have wild ones here, they are always hanging around the garden

I've been lurking here for awhile designing my first system, so firstly, Hi to everybody - this is a great Forum.

Ryan,

There's a number of sellers in the Brisbane/Ipswich area. The list is here:

http://www.aussiebee.com.au/buy-stingless-bees.html

FYI, I got my hive of TC about 6 months ago from one of the guys on the list for $150, so shop around.

Cheers,
Andrew

Thanks for the heads-up. Now the questions start
Which supplier did you use?
Are you also using a honey box, and if so, have you harvested yet? If so,how much/how often?
Are you happy with your hive, and is there anything you think I should know about them before I splash out? I've done a bit of reading, so I'm more looking for your feedback.

I got my bees from Col as he was the closest to me, however I'm sure any of the guys on the list would be happy to help you out.

My hive is a basic box design of two halves. After this coming winter I plan to add a super (a third section on top where the bees will store their honey so you can harvest). Any honey should be harvested around spring/summer time as the honey is their stockpile of supplies for the colder months. From what I've read, normal yields of honey from a native hive are about 1kg/year - this is due to our milder winters compare to the European/commercial bees where they endure months of snow etc (they produce upwards of 70kg/year).

The bees are easy to care for, just make sure they don't get too hot during summer!

Speculation: I think the prices for hives depend on the size/age/strength of the individual hive. The hives for sale are either split or rescued hives from the wild and then once strong enough are sold, hence the variance in prices and availability. Once again that's only my speculation so douse with a few ppt of salt!

Either way you'll be helping a local native species which is always a good thing. If you like I'll take some photo's tomorrow and post 'em up.

Cheers,
Andrew

Post those photos Please......
i would love to see what sort of hive you have and what i might want/need at my place and 1kg of honey a year would be lovely ( not sure what i would do with 70 kg a year

Thanks for the info. I'll give Col a call tomorrow and see what happens. 1kg of honey may not be much, but this comes as a bonus behind my first priority of pollination for the AP system and second priority as helping boost the species. I'm keen to see some photos!

Ok, after much public demand.

First photo is the hive it self. You can see the horizontal join where the two halves can be split to create two hives. The box is simply bolted onto a star picket at the back.

The second photo is a shot of inside. You can see the Sugar Bags built in the corners, this is where the honey is stored. The bees are about the same size as a green ant.

hey wow, I think I saw some of these fellow in my flowers the other day, I wondered what the were! Looked like flying ants :-)

Thanks mate - I pick up my hive from Col on Saturday! Thanks for the head-up. I'm getting the 'super' add-on for honey extraction.

Have you harvested any of your honey?

Good stuff Ryan. No honey for me yet - I only got my hive a few months ago but intend to pull my finger out and make a super soon.

Google honey from native bees and you will find you will only get a small amount out of there hives [maybee 1 cup ] and if you take it at the wrong time you will kill the hive

wow, that's sounds marvellous, no wonder they've not been cultivated massively then... But for pollination in the city, they'd be a good thing, as they don't have the sting or anaphalactic properties of the honeybee.

So how are the bees settling in Ryan? Thought there might've been a pic or two by now...