[susan rudnicki]

Hi, Eric—of course, Ruben is not incorrect, I just used you as the most ready example. You can use the forum however you want, but as a group we are trying to foster a more educated model for the continuation of our efforts to legalize beekeeping in the City. This is a difference from the former BBK club model, which did not emphasize the need to be strongly educated in the craft.
So, when folks post asking for bees, it just helps the people re-homing bees to know the foundation each newbee possesses for being ready. HL has mentoring workshops regularly, Kirk has them, and the various mentors helping offer this knowledge. We urge newbees to read the Idiot’s Guide to Beekeeping as a foundational book. So, I ask all people who call me directly these questions so I know how far they have gone to gain understanding.

[susan rudnicki]

HI, Eric—can you please list the educational efforts you have made to get ready for keeping a hive? It is getting to be a topic of more focused attention at our meetings as a result of the impending LA City ordinance effort. A educated beek is less likely to have a situation happen that endangers neighbors and the public.
What books have you read? What mentoring or workshops in beekeeping have you done? The folks posting swarms and gathering of swarms are often overwhelmed by the work, so it is more advantageous for you to check the WordPress digest or the Forum everyday rather than expect us to call you.
Susan

[susan rudnicki]

You can’t know unless you actually see the swarm issuing from a hive box. Same for stings.

[susan rudnicki]

Cynthia—I would imagine the odds are about the same, as the background population of feral hives has been measured by the Ag Comm. at a average of 9 per sq. mile in LA. In managed colonies, the keeper can exacerbate the chance of a run-in with mammals in the vicinity of the colony if the hive is poorly managed for SPACE. Michael Bush, our go-to expert and author of “The Practical Beekeeper–Beekeeping Naturally” says our most important role in keeping bees is as a space manager. Not too much when the colony is contracting in numbers and not too little when they are burgeoning. Some beeks make the mistake of locating hives in congested urban areas and ignoring regular inspections for space management. The bees can get crowded and under these conditions will sometimes get grumpy and/or swarm—which enrages non-beekeeping neighbors should they witness the event.

[susan rudnicki]

Ms Tailor—this is exactly what the discussions on this forum and in other sites are trying to establish. Do you have some more specific management ideas—related to keeping bees—that you would like to offer? We need to determine, for the eventual regulations, what those guidelines say

[susan rudnicki]

Hey, I LOVED that explanation of the empty box for crowded/mean bees—it made more sense out of the note you sent me the other day about Natasha’s bees. Why didn’t I think of it??!!!!! They are growing fast, and sometimes when I take off the lid, they are sitting there, thick on both sides of the inner cover and on the top bars, looking up with that funny, lined up like soldiers, look! So, prior to putting on the escape board, that would also help a day before, huh? Susan

[susan rudnicki]

I replied to Linda urging her to contact people I know who live in Torrance and sending their contact info. I went to 3 of the meetings last year, but think it makes more sense for the people who will benefit to do the legwork.

[susan rudnicki]

Well, I have reached out to both of the people you may be referencing. One is in Culver City, the other Redondo Beach. The latter is coming to my house today to see my hives, and no reason to go to SM for bees. Are there any other contacts you have from HL or other sources where you could spread the word? There does not seem to be much traffic on this site for people looking for bees, as we used to be inundated by requests on the old BBK site. It’s a puzzle…

[susan rudnicki]

Hi, Andrew—this sounds like something in the ground, is that correct? A ground box? Also, if it has been there months, it would be a established hive not a swarm? This would then be a cutout, so you would need to frame the combs and put them in a hive body.
Unfortunately, this is very far for me from Manhattan Beach, and I am full up with doing cutouts right now anyway— do you want to get bees for a hive? I would bet Ray Teurman might mentor you if you got in touch with him. Write back and tell us if you need a mentor and I will try to help you find one.
Thanks Susan

[susan rudnicki]

Hi Bernard—I live near you in Manhattan Beach. You are lucky! Last year, we BackwardsBeekeepers and HoneyLove club members got the city council to change the codes governing beekeeping, and it is legal now in RB.
I will talk with you about how to go about this, but I need a phone number. I am at 310-374-4779 if you want to call me Susan

[susan rudnicki]

I have been monitoring 4 hives in Manhattan Beach on the greenbelt walking path–they are in irrigation boxes and in danger of extermination from the Fire Dept. once the weather turns sunny and they attract more attention by their proximity. Please CALL ME, don’t email, and we can talk. I have 8 mentees currently already, so scheduling is a little crazy. Ideally we should do this NOT on a weekend, so as to attract less foot traffic. Susan
310-374-4779

[susan rudnicki]

I do find that if there is much puddling anywhere in a clean up operation, they often fall in and drown or get so covered they are unable to survive. They often seem to mob puddles in such a way that they push other folks in! I find they like the old frames to clean up more than the puddles, maybe because it is easier to access.

[susan rudnicki]

Well!! that sounds really good, and Max is a go-getter, so hope you guys have it pretty soon Susan

[susan rudnicki]

Hey, Kirk—I don’t think a lot of us know about this film, when it was started and by who, and what you want it to show. I sure don’t know! Could you tell us? Thanks Susan

[susan rudnicki]

Hi Kerry—it would help if you mentioned where you are located, since the Basin is a BIG place. We do have offers from homeowners wanting to have “bee tenants” but I have lost track of the people. If you come to the HL meetings, that is a good way to find these folks, too, as that is when I have had offers.

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