SafetyBees can establish hives in the sides of homes and in trees. Bee rescue expert Jim Hogg recommends staying away from such hives and calling an expert to remove them. Some bee-removal experts offer services for free, but pricing can vary depending on the location, size of the hive and other factors, he said.

Hogg said his hive removal services start at $150. He removes the honeycomb, uses a special vacuum to safely extract bees and transports them to a new hive elsewhere. More information is at www.daddysbees.com.

SEPT. 15Austin Area Beekeepers meeting

The social group meets monthly to discuss honeybees and other pollinators, share books and ideas on the subject, and establish cooperatively managed honeybee colonies around town.

7 p.m. Free. Old Quarry Library, 7051 Village Center Drive. www.meetup.com/austin-urban-beekeeping

SEPT. 20Second Annual Austin Tour de Hives

Participants take self-guided tours to see bee yards after signing an event waiver. Long pants, long-sleeved shirts, closed-toed shoes and light-colored clothing are recommended.

9 a.m.–2 p.m. $5 (one carload or family of five or fewer). Locations vary. Event begins at Bee Friendly Austin Apiary, 9874 Weir Loop Circle. 512-560-3732. http://austintourdehives.weebly.com

OCT. 25–26 Get started in beekeeping

Jayne Clark, beekeeper and instructor of informal classes at The University of Texas, explains basics such as where to purchase equipment, where to set up a colony, how to obtain bees and what to expect in the first year. The class also outlines a detailed strategy for the fall season to help attendees get ready for setting up a colony in the spring.

10 a.m.–2 p.m. $120 (enrollment), $18 (book). 5926 Balcones Drive, Ste. 212. www.consciousbeekeeping.com

This list is not comprehensive.

Events to attend

Local honey options

As the buzz surrounding the nation’s dwindling honeybee population increases, more people are becoming interested in beekeeping as a hobby. Southwest Austinites can comb through local events listings and resources in this Bee Guide to learn about local honey, beekeeping basics and training opportunities.Bees

sweet events and local resources

Beekeeping best practicesJim Hogg, a Dripping Springs resident and teacher who has saved honeybees as a hobby for years, offers a few tips for first-timers interested in beekeeping and bee rescue.

Getting startedTo keep bees, some research and basic equipment will be needed, including:

• A bee suit: protective clothing includ-ing a suit and special hood or hat and veil to protect from stings

• A smoker: a device that generates smoke, which calms the bees

• A hive tool: a tool resembling a minia-ture crowbar used to pry apart hives

• A hive: The structure used to hold bees.

Hogg said in the U.S., the main type of hive is the Langstroth hive, a top-opened hive with movable frames that allow hives to be transported from one location to another and stacked more easily.

TimingThe traditional way of starting a new hive is to assemble it around December and reserve a purchase of bees for the next spring, Hogg said. A first-time beekeeper can start with a 3-pound package of bees and a queen bee, Hogg said. Local groups such as the Central Texas Beekeepers Association hold beekeeping workshops, he said.

The benefits of beekeeping include:• Produces honey• Encourages pollination of plants

including fruits and vegetables• Helps with conservation of the bee

population, which is decreasing in size as a result of colony collapse disorder and other factors

• Inspires deeper relationship with nature

Source: Jayne Clark, beekeeper and instructor of informal classes at The University of Texas

Austin Honey Co. www.austinhoneyco.com

Good Flow Honeywww.goodflowhoney.com

OHHO Plateau Wildflower Honeywww.facebook.com/ohhoplateauwildflowerhoney

Round Rock Honeywww.roundrockhoney.com

Walker Honey Farmwww.walkerhoneyfarm.com

all about

Compiled by Kelli Weldon • Designed by Erin Murray

A variety of area sellers offer honey at grocers, farmers markets and through their websites. This list is not comprehensive.

80%

Honeybees pollinate about 80 percent of all seed, fruit and

vegetable crops in the U.S.

3 TYPES OF BEE IN EVERY HIVE

Queen Drone Worker

Average lifespan of a queen bee

3–4 YEARSQueens can lay

between 600 and 1,500 eggs daily.

A single honeybee produces about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its

lifetime.

Jim Hogg, a Dripping Springs resident and teacher who has saved honeybees as a hobby for years, feeds a colony. He recommends wearing protective gear around bees.

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Source: Conscious Beekeeping, www.consciousbeekeeping.com

The city of Austin has ordinances in place for where and how bees can be kept. For more information on restrictions, visit www.austintexas.gov/department/public-health-regulations.

Maudie’s TEX-MEX@MaudiesTXMexWWW.MAUDIES.COM

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