In a message dated 2/9/99 2:43:46 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
 
>  Also, on a more
>  personnal level,  I make sure all my neaghbors get free honey bears on a
> regular
>  basis.  Happy neaghbors rarely complain.
 
An amazing amount of fear and trouble can be solved with a jar of honey over
the fence even if you must go out and purchase it from another beekeeper.
 
Another tactic to allay fear is to bring a frame of bees with the queen on it
to show a neighbor with the beekeeper in a t shirt - maybe not the method for
a first year beekeeper but something that comes with experiance.  Just don't
show off to a neighbor unless they are allready aware of the bees.
My bees ran the neigbors lawn service worker up their driveway and they just
laughed but they are down to earth people.
Watch out for yuppies- they just talk nature and they arn't much interested in
experiancing it firsthand.
 
 
In any case it doesn't matter whether you keep bees, rabbits or chickens if
you keep them in a manner that is a nuisance you will invite trouble.
 
I advise not painting hives white- earth tones are less visible.
 
I keep 30 colonies in mostly urban settings at friends who garden or have a
few fruit trees.  And feel darn lucky  29 have survived winter thus far.