My son just got a weir hive for Christmas. He has 2 supers, top and bottom, he needs to order the Bees for this spring. From what I have been seeing on line they are just under $100. I called an old fella that used to keep bees years ago, his wife is getting bad now so he doesn't do much but care for her. He was very helpful and said to give him a few day, he had to go out to the Barn and see what he had, and if it was still any good, assuming the mice hadn't chewed it all to heck. He thought he had a hat, smoker, overalls and maybe some other tools.
My son is not sure if he can keep the bees in Clarion Boro or not. If they are not allowed because of zoning he has a friend with a farm out of town. The only problem he sees with that idea are the Bears, they are pretty prevalent in that area and he is afraid they will rip up the hive. Option number 3 is my place,
he thinks the powers that be won't mind if he put them way up in the field. I have wanted to get bees for many years, but it turns out that her oldest son has more influence than I do.
He seems to have a lot more influence with the Zoning officer than I do.
So we shall see where the bees end up. He told me that there is a class on bee keeping in Pittsburgh this Feb, it is held Friday afternoon and all day Sat. He will check it out, I think we may both attend.
Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has.