permaculture

[KNat <knat@sprintmail.com>]

Rhonda Baird wrote:
> This brings up a question. Well, as a complete novice the questions are
> endless.  It seems there should be more beekeepers in communities, but how
> many?  Can there be too many colonies in an area?  
>
> And, second, I have always been interested in bee-keeping, but I am allergic
> to bee stings.  My reactions up to now have been non-life-threatening, but
> you never know. Should I stay completely away from bee-keeping, or does
> anyone have experience or knowledge of others that keep bees anyway?
I test as allergic but have only had actual anaphylactic shock from wasp 
or hornet stings. I use the homeopathic Apis if stung (and head to the 
ER while I establish it works.) Each time has been less (wasp stings.) I 
was stung by one of my bees for the first time last late summer and had 
virtually no reaction. I carry an Epi pen, Apis remedy and smudge before 
handling the bees. Feels balanced. I really am enjoying sharing space 
with honeybees.
I'm also allergic to cats and occasionally pat them too. Part of life. 
In previous eras my genes would probably have been exterminated. 
Hopefully I have purpose.

As far as too many colonies, trick round here is to keep one.

Peace,
Kathyann