In a couple of weeks my daughter and I will be taking a Backyard Beekeeping Workshop where we will each assemble a hive and learn some basics...
Meanwhile I am reading EVERYTHING I can get my hands on. In the two weeks since this "Lucy Idea" of bees in the backyard hit I have been CONVINCED that:
Plastic foundation is the best.
Plastic foundation is the worst.
Small cells discourage mite infestation.
Small cells increase mite infestation.
Bees need to be fed sugar water.
Bees should only be fed honey.
Bees shouldn't be fed at all.
Each of about five different beehive styles is THE ONE AND ONLY BEST.
And so on...
Thus I have come to the conclusion that HOWEVER we choose to manage our hives, there will be somebody out there who thinks it is the right way, and somebody who thinks it is absolutely the wrong way.
Being a parent, I am pretty used to this phenomenon...
I think this bee thing might just work out!