Comments on: Keeping Bees in Straw Hives—An New Journey

By: Gwen Erwood

Gwen Erwood — Thu, 11 May 2017 13:18:40 +0000

In reply to Susan Chernak McElroy. And we are trying to eradicate canary reed grass along the stream of my farm in Oxford (Benton Co.) Indiana. There is probably plenty of it around. Would mine be of any help to you or your readers?

By: Susan Chernak McElroy

Susan Chernak McElroy — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 22:58:58 +0000

In reply to Christine Kilgore. Christine, this winter, I'll be creating a series of UTube videos on how to craft these---from finding the grasses to covering the whole thing with dung or cobb to preserve it. Stay tuned!

By: Susan Chernak McElroy

Susan Chernak McElroy — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 22:57:23 +0000

In reply to Jim Baker.

Yes, Jim, These hives are not permitted where only removable frames are allowed. In my town, we have no bee inspectors, and our county considers itself “complaint driven.” So long as no one complains, I’ll be hanging these in my yard. Some folks call these “conservation hives.” And don’t count them in their apiaries—just hang one or two in the yard to produce swarms.

By: Jim Baker

Jim Baker — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 19:33:35 +0000

In some states—————mine for example———-I have been told these sorts of hives are illegal. Check your local ordinances before jumping in with all your hives.

By: Tsiti Sawadye

Tsiti Sawadye — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:04:41 +0000

Check out this article on straw behive. It might work for selected hardworking individuals at Ambrosia

By: Susan Chernak McElroy

Susan Chernak McElroy — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 04:13:30 +0000

In reply to Wladyslaw Kozlowski. Me, too! I'll be posting lots of updates come spring when I start keeping more colonies in them. I'm so very excited about this way of crafting a hive.

By: Wladyslaw Kozlowski

Wladyslaw Kozlowski — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 12:09:43 +0000

am interesting to know more about this hives.

By: Susan Chernak McElroy

Susan Chernak McElroy — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 18:21:20 +0000

In reply to susan shafer.

Thanks for the comments, bee folk! I’m going to list here some of the sites I used to teach myself how to craft these hives. I’m also going to be making a series of videos over the next few months on how to weave them. Here are the links:
http://www.martinatnewton.com/skepmaking,
http://beespoke.info/2013/11/29/make-your-own-bee-skep/,
http://www.naturalbeekeepingtrust.org/sun-hive-introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2G4-j6nLK0
http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?278986-Making-a-skep/page3
http://www.basketryandbeyond.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Materials-Panels-2-with-BB-logo.pdf,
http://modernfarmer.com/2013/05/how-to-build-a-bee-skep/

By: susan shafer

susan shafer — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 12:59:04 +0000

wow! just show me how to make straw bee hives. so practical & diy, been wanting to have bees for my veg garden, just can’t afford the huge costs, being practical & retired is difficult! Thank you for sharing the knowledge & philosophy behind your quest. susan

By: Harvey Parolari

Harvey Parolari — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 05:03:59 +0000

Hi Susan, I found you 5 months ago on a Web site. I wrote to you twice with no reply. I have been trying for 6 months to find someone who weaves hives but only found a father and son in England! I’m hoping that you teach how to make these hives! I would love to meet you and maybe work something out. What got me hooked was an old magazine article about two older brothers who weave and sell their hives. They were dutch farmers. One grew the grass and the other made the hives! After reading zbout them I really want to learn how to weave them. I’m in my late 60’s so hopefully I’m not too old to learn!! Please reply as soon as you can. I live in Gearhart, Oregon. I look forward to meeting you. Sincerely, Harvey Parolari. Cell is 209-402-4587. Email is bhparolari@yahoo.com.