Beekeeping In Tampa (Seffner, San Antonio: renting, HOA, home)

[Indiana Beekeeper]

Hello all.

I have been doing quite a bit of research on each city in Florida about where I want to live and I've been following this forum for about a year now. What I can't seem to find is any information on beekeeping. I've found the Tampa bee club and have not contacted anyone there yet, as I wanted to try this forum first.

So my questions: Does anyone on here keep bees? Do you know anyone personally who keeps bees? Would this person take the time to answer some questions for me? Are there local farms that would be agreeable to letting me place my hives on their property (I have 30).

I've read that some HOA have restrictions against them, even some towns. I know the threat of Africanized Honey Bees exists in Florida.

I would love to hear from anyone with any experience, good and bad, they have/had with honeybees.

Thank you!

[lavender]

All I can say is the more people that bring bees back the better. I think you are right that HOAs will probably not like them, I do not know of any beekeepers here, but if you go to farmers markets you will find folks selling natural honey. I really miss those huge fuzzy 'bumble' bees as we used to call them here. Too many people spraying too much chemicals on their lawns, not realizing the damage they are doing to the insect environment. I watched a very worrying program on tv about how one town in China that has killed off all its bees due to pollution and chems is now having to hand pollinate their pear trees to keep them growing. Bees are very important to us, wish someone would take up their cause in hollywood

[Indiana Beekeeper]

Thanks for your reply Lavendar.

Actually, for once, the media has had a positive influence and brought a lot of focus and attention to the plight of the honeybee. They are struggling, and from what information I've gathered about beekeeping in Florida, there are a lot more stressors than here in Indiana. So much more so, that I have given serious thought to selling everything before I go. I really don't want to, I just love having them too much.

It's good to know that you have honey vendors at the farmer's market. I will try to contact someone from the Tampa beekeeping club. If all else fails, I will post an ad in the nearest rural town about placing my hives in a farmer's field. I would think it wouldn't be too much of a problem; pollination contracts have gotten pricey over the last few years and I am suggesting the reverse (free pollination for a place to set them).

[annaegel]

Not sure if this would be a good source, but maybe contact the Hillsborough County Extension office in Seffner. They have information primarily on plants, but they may be a good resource and can refer you to other sources. They have a program that anyone can do. You can have a certified section of your garden that dedicated to attracting bees.

Lavenders suggestion is a good one.

I buy my honey from a man up in San Antonio, FL. He sells them from his home and is much cheaper than what you pay in the stores. You can sample the various honey.

[nucat78]

Have you done a search for U of Florida agricultural info?

[Indiana Beekeeper]

annagel, that's a great idea! Do you have a FSA (Farm Service Agency) there? I suppose I can do a search and find one. I like the way you are thinking.

nucat78, the UF ag info informed me of all the botany in Florida that would produce nectar, cultivated and wild.

What I really want is someone who lives outside the city in a rural setting. For example, I own 6 acres and I have the bees here and there on my property. My neighbor owns 2000 acres, and of those he has about 500 in alfalfa. My hives sit at the edges of his fields. I am trying to find a similar situation down there, since I plan on renting for a while until I figure out where I want to buy.

Thanks again for all the responses. It is getting me thinking in another direction.

[annaegel]

Link for information on beekeeping. Scroll down to the bottom and there are other links to other organizations for beekeeping.

Beekeeping - Other Enterprises - Environmental & Recreational Uses - Small Farms / Alternative Enterprises - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension

[Indiana Beekeeper]

For anyone who is interested:

I wrote to a board member representative of the Tampa Bay Beekeepers Association and received the following reply:

"Yes, I may be able to help you. But first it would be good to know the area/location you will be moving to."

So now the million dollar question.

Where would you move to (in the Tampa area ) if you are renting for a while, are retired but only in your 40's, and have no intention of working a regular job. Would like to take some college classes (community college is just fine) and are looking for something laid back but not in the country. Of course my bees will be in the country, but driving to them is not an issue.

Someone mentioned Pass A Grille and I found an efficiency there that sounds just fabulous. Would you consider this area safe for a woman living alone? I'm looking forward to living on the beach!

Thanks all.

[lavender]

have pmd you, but to let others know... USF host a monthly beekeeping workshop at their botanical gardens, USF Botanical Gardens Home is probably the link you want. They give advice on keeping/managing hives and collecting honey and presumably all aspects of this most valuable resource to our planet.