I think you’ve done most of what I recommend to new beekeepers: Read beforehand, join clubs beforehand, and get some in-hive experience beforehand. Success in beekeeping is all about learning, learning, and more learning.
How have you enjoyed keeping the Megachile? I’ve thought about giving that a try.
I really appreciate your response! Megachile have been a blast to keep. It’s fairly hands-off until it’s time to harvest and sort cocoons in the fall, but they’re very active, gentle bees and are really entertaining to watch.
Due to their docile nature, you can almost get “nose close” to their nest entrances without bothering them. The females also have a very amusing way of orienting themselves before flying out of their holes. Fascinating stuff.
The only downside is dealing with parasitic Chalcid wasps, but it’s very manageable.
I think you’ve done most of what I recommend to new beekeepers: Read beforehand, join clubs beforehand, and get some in-hive experience beforehand. Success in beekeeping is all about learning, learning, and more learning.
How have you enjoyed keeping the Megachile? I’ve thought about giving that a try.
I really appreciate your response! Megachile have been a blast to keep. It’s fairly hands-off until it’s time to harvest and sort cocoons in the fall, but they’re very active, gentle bees and are really entertaining to watch.
Due to their docile nature, you can almost get “nose close” to their nest entrances without bothering them. The females also have a very amusing way of orienting themselves before flying out of their holes. Fascinating stuff.
The only downside is dealing with parasitic Chalcid wasps, but it’s very manageable.