My name is William “Bud” Hanes. I live in the Westerville, Ohio area and am an avid beekeeper. I used to keep bees many years ago. Back in the day, I had 11 hives at one time, but due to varroa mites, CCD- Colony Collapse Disorder, it was just getting too difficult to make it through a winter with much survival rate. Also, my bees were in an out-yard in Plain City, which didn’t allow for me to keep as close an eye on them as I should have. Many dollars spent on equipment, and a lot of hot hard work with that many hives! It was very enjoyable though. It was only because of the “Karen” next door that I couldn’t keep bees here. Well, “Karen” is gone, and as I get older, I am looking to renew my hobby of years ago.
Many years ago, I developed a beekeeper locator site that sorted beekeeper listings by zip code, so that those needing swarm removal could quickly find a nearby beekeeper. It sorted a list of local beekeepers by distance. As times have changed, we can now use geolocation and maps to find anything. My original “Old School” site is below. Remember, this was way back in the day, so understand the technology was different. Be easy on me. Site had many beekeepers listed, and was even mentioned in the Akron Ohio newspaper and a few other media sites.
I am anxious to bring this concept back to life, as I still see a need for local beekeeper listings. Many people indeed want to help the bees, and just have no real good way to find a local beekeeper. I am anxious to get this off the ground. Hopefully, by next swarm season, it will be beneficial for the bees, beekeepers and those who want to help conserve honey bees. Also, I’d like to thank Andy – KE4BFI, for the help and encouragement on this endeavor.
Although it is hard to explain to a non-beekeeper, just watching the bees… Seeing what they are bringing in, how they work in concert to survive and support the colony is amazing. The smell of the propolis and the smoker, the working with the bees, and the taste of REAL honey. Much like wine, honey has different tastes. It is so exciting to taste the different honeys.
Nothing gets me excited more than a swarm call from someone local! Free honey bees, which I can build out into a Langstroth hive. So, if you do have a honey bee swarm in the Westerville area, contact me at 614-891-6485 or 614-202-1259. Also, feel free to contact me with any honey bee questions at the link above.
Should you need anything or have suggestions or insight, please feel free to contact me at the link above.
