opinions about the same ole #$%!!!

honey bee removal is $350 a hive with a 6 month guarantee,,,,I have paid this 5 times in the last 3 years,,,,buy a truck down here..........and if you are willing to work you can find it.......realise you will pay at least 30% more for food power and everything else than in the states.........and WAPA is not getting better......only my opinion

$350!!!!!! Really high IMHO. I've been doing removals for over a decade and NEVER charged that much. EVER! Doesn't matter where you are at, the work is still the same. I did a few removals in STX over the past 2 yrs and nothing is different. A bee is a bee.... Did that price include repair of damage to property due to removal? Again, I am no stranger to the caribbean, which includes grossly inflated prices. In fact, my home turf (southern outer banks) is right on par with food and water prices (just got back from STX a week ago from a month visit), though our power is a little cheaper. Not much though, as island living costs more regardless of lat. & long.

Truck prices seemed pretty high to me. Right now is the time to buy stateside, and shipping isn't that high (so I found so far!) Anybody got a ballpark figure for transport and total tax and registration? Better yet, anybody got a mechanically sound small truck they know of?

Please keep up the feedback and info. I'm researching all I can non-stop, but actual human contact from those in the know is worth more than it's weight in gold!

I have never been charged anything by the local beekeeper here on stx as long as they are honey bees. When I first bought this house they had gotten behind the stucco and inbetween the first and second floor and built a hive. He did all the work to get them out and charge nothing. Last week I called him for one of the hotels I do work for and he came and got the hive out of the tree no problem. Again as long as they are honey bees he'll take them for free. If anyone wants his name and number let me know.

He's a really nice fellow. He's come out and give us advice several times at no charge.

he is a very nice guy and we have hung out..............my bee's were and are very Africanized............. and as they are tonight attacking any lights that are on and stinging me in the face.......well maybe not always in the face.......most I step on as I walk around barefoot....I do get at lest 10 stings a week ........two nights ago right in the middle of the night as I slept...........the swarms around my house are insane...........(cane bay )..............but $350 and you do the repairs......its a 2-3 day job at my home with removal of the honey and the spraying...........if you have a cheaper deal I'm interested...............mind you my gutters are right bellow the hives in my roof and the cistern can not take any poison................at least we have bees here in the islands aren't they missing in the states?

while I'm sure there are a few beekeepers on island that do removals I have already met a few. All of them were very nice guys and good beekeepers. I am in no way trying to criticize any of them at all. I'm just shocked at said prices. Beekeeping is a niche field, and a well appreciated one when needed. Prices should vary on the situation and complexity of the job. And usually a removal price does not include the repair. That is above and beyond the removal price. Lets just say that all the rates I've ever been exposed to in this field (and I was extension for a number of years as well as commercial across the US) are considerably lower!

Honey bees worldwide are indeed in drastic decline. but they are not missing from the states entirely. THe commercial beekeeping industry, while hurting from numerous problems, is unbelievably alive and well. I worked in research and with commercial operations and there is quite a lot of public interaction. If I make it too STX I am most certainly interested in removals. Bees are what I love and do best! I am a completely organic guy...NO PESTICIDES...they just aren't necessary. I'll advertise somehow (mostly through the "coconut" vine) if it comes about.......

We had a SWARM move in last Friday-the noise was amazing!! (S Grapetree) Anyway, we had our regular pest control man come and he removed them for $150, but said he was giving us a break on price. I am allergic and he took pity on me!!! He came by again today and checked up and they have not returned yet, but he comes monthly for regular pest control and will keep us "bee free". I was shocked at how quickly they arrived. I was in the pool and heard the loud buzzing, looked up and saw the swarm moving into the pump house. Thousands, thought I would never make it to the front door of the house-looked like a movie-I was in a panic since we are 30 mins from Juan Luis! He said he had done this at 4 other houses in the last couple of days and same for last week. There is money to be made in bees.....have pics of them and will post.

If I were you, I wouldn't comment on the prices charged until you get here. Living costs here are very high.

as I said earlier, I have been there...more than once and not for vacations. Simply making observations and voicing my opinions here. Living costs on most of the islands are really high. I've been living in the caribbean for over 5 yrs now and completely understand the inflated prices. I guess my question has been answered.....there is a possibility to make some money in STX! More so than I figured! Again, I'm not criticizing anyone.....who doesn't like making money?????

Animaljosh,
You can make money on STX!!!
Be ready to do almost anything to start while working on your business of choice. Season is coming & foodservice will be a quick start after you get your health cert.
Bring tools dwn, you'll need them for handy man services & tool prices here are off the hook.
You already know island life is tough & to expect the unexpected, plus you sound as tho you have friends here as well (major plus). Only thing you need to fear is fear itself. Hard work, determination & good humor are keys to success.
Many of us (myself included) get hardened by the trials living on an island & possibly are way too harsh & discourage too many bright eyed fresh off the boat types. I think its due to so many friendships lost. People come here with a mindset of happily ever after............but Newton's coconut cracks their skull & reminds them that nothing in this life is easy, but well worth the fight. Don't listen to the nay sayers, do what your heart tells you. Take all information given here, digest it & do what you think is best.
Good Luck!

Islandtyme,

I'll do anything in my power to stay out of the food industry! Been 18yrs since I saw the last commercial kitchen and I aim to keep it that way. That being said I'll do whatever it takes to make it work. I know what real work is and I kinda like it!

Getting my tools down there and making sure it is feasible is what I'm trying to figure out! I've got just about everything a person can need to do just about anything (carpentry, metal, landscaping) and stuff is just sitting in storage not being used. Might as well bring it down. Worst case scenario there will be good tools on the market there soon!

You know, island life suits me better than the mainland ever did. And I'm from a wacko unconnected corner of the US! Consider this: I've been at this dream of mine 5 yrs now (8yrs since my first caribbean research trip) and I'm only more determined. I never did fit in with the US mentality. My sense of humor, while in the eyes of most is totally warped, seems to work well down here. For me, STX is a major step back to "normal" US life. In Lucia I live very far removed from the tiny area that is tourist oriented. One of the few true old school caribbean areas still left! I'm not at all what most would consider fresh off the boat. My boat left port years ago without me!!!!! (wasn't very seaworthy either!!!)

Yes, I am all too aware of the "unexpected" and the "hardening" caused by island living! I'm here trying to get an educated feel of the possibilities and the attitudes of STX outside my little circle. I am truly blessed to have some incredible friends/family (a very well known, cruzan to the core family) there to support me and help. I'm not gonna have to worry about overpriced housing, lack of transportation, and trying to make my own way. I have guidance and support. Short harsh comments are valid info....gives me a true feel for folks and things (this is just a very small representative of people after all).

My main reason of coming back is to help out some folks that need it. Secondary is that damn money thing. Personally (just me!!!) I believe in honest work for honest pay. That figure differs for all of us, but I won't go along with something just because that is "how it is"! If I'm missing something I'm sure I'll find it out and make figure readjustments accordingly. Idealistic??? Probably, but I'm hoping to catch a dream that is even father down island. Can't think of a nicer place to base the hunt than STX!!!!!

Can you weld??? Walsh Metal Works is looking for a tig welder.
Check out www.career.vi

yes, can weld....but likely not at the skill level that a pro weld shop is looking for. Besides, I'm hoping for fairly short term projects so I don't loose my freedom to live between STX/SLU. I'll likely be there at least 6 months straight this first move to recoup expenses and get out of the financial corner, but my heart (and my chickens, sheep, dog, cat, and oh yah girlfriend!!!!) is in St Lucia. I've been on both sides of the employer/employee game and nothing sucks more than getting someone up to speed and seeing them fly away! Don't want to do that to anybody..... but I am scouring any and all job sites. I seem to have always done better with personal networking!

Ok you have a g/f in St Luc, home & pets..............do you plan on moving all of them or just drift between the 2 islands?
If your plan is to drift, I say net work in person, it's hard to give advise to someone who isn't 100% commited to living here full time.
You need to check out things inperson & decide from there what job will keep you mobile. Especially if you don't want the horrors of kitchen work. If your dive certified perhaps they need seasonal.....................good luck

Will you be allowed to work on St. Lucia?

The plan is to split my time between islands. I've been living in Lucia for 3 yrs and counting and have a great thing going. My actual business concentration is queen bee breeding/production and St Lucia is THE place for me for numerous reasons. I've visited every single island south of PR (all the way down to good ole South America) looking for the ideal location for this and Lucia it is.... The idea is for export to the US/Canada commercial market. I know, strange thing to be into...but like I said earlier it's a niche I'm good at, and you wouldn't believe the earnings potential. Very large market with high demand and precious few that can deliver the goods....

Trouble with St Lucia is the unbelievably speedy and efficient (NOT!!!) gov't and the associated bureaucracy. Whilst I'm at it let me give at least some credit to the US gov't efficiency (hope you are picking up on the sarcasm here). Very few people understand or care to understand, but let me just try to explain it like this....Ever tried to take a piece of fresh fruit on a plane internationally? Well, try it with some stinging insects sometime! The US has some really ridiculous restrictions and requirements for importation and dealing with these is a slow and painful process. I planned for delays, but man.....hindsight and perfect vision and all that. Until I am licensed and registered and operating I can not officially legally work in ST Lucia. Besides, they run on EC$ and the conversion stinks, so I'm better off working in US/STX and slowly getting where I need to be in SLU.

I have friend/family business to tend to in STX and I have been/will be there fairly regularly anyway. Just trying to get a feel here if it is worth spending my precious little money to move needed tools and transportation to STX. I am 100% committed to trying the hardest I can to make my idea work. IF I give it my all and fail, then I guess it wasn't a very good idea. But I won't let money be the only factor for my failure (lack of money is really the holdup here. God knows if I had lots the wheels that need greasing would be spinning and squeak free by now!) I wish beyond wishing that STX was a viable option for me, but apis m. scutellata (africanized honeybee) ruined that option years ago. I love St Croix, and if things there were viable for me and also more affordable that is where I'd hang my hat. I'm happy to settle with working there for some needed income and plugging away at my pipe dream. I'd like to think that I can do some good for others while I'm at it! From my current networking I have come to realize that there is a need on STX for what I have to offer. But my network isn't the whole island, so I'm here trying to broaden my view of the situation.

oh, almost forgot to mention.....another reason for my attachment to St Lucia is the INCREDIBLE value for the $US. My personal living expenses are no more than $US 200 a month, and that includes rent, electricity, water, and most of my food!!! I'm not living in a shack either. Have acreage, a really groovy 3 story house built by a local artist/woodcarver and a kick ass view of St Vincent!!!! On clear days I see Bequia and Baliceaux. Did I mention I live on the side of an active volcanoe and the soil is incredibly rich, I get a little rain most every day, and the temp rarely gets above 82 in the day and sometimes in the 60's at night? And that I grow most of my own organic vegetables, fruits, and meats? what about the volcanic sulfur hot springs just a short walk down the road? all this and no tourists!!!!!!!!!! There are major downsides, but considering the ups.............

Just curious - would the africanized honeybees attack any other kind of honeybee you brought in?

well, yes and no.....Africanized honey bees ARE the same kind of honey bee! All honey bees in this hemisphere are the same exact species, apis mellifera sp. They were brought over long ago by europeans. The Africanized bee (apis mellifera scutellata) is simply a RACE of honey bee that originates in Africa. The term subspecies in often used but this is technically incorrect. Anyway, there behavior is the only real difference. They are much more aggressive when it comes to protecting the hive. Chalk that up to coming from a rough neighborhood. They are no more dangerous than any other honeybees, they just have sorta a gang mentality and will attack if you come near there turf. They will rob less aggressive colonies and steal there honey stores. Also, the genetics responsible for the aggressive behavior is dominant, so less aggressive stock is quickly absorbed through mating and the africanized attitude becomes pronounced. So, if gentle stock is introduced and allowed to open mate, the gentle behavior is quickly lost. Also, when stock mixing happens the dominate aggressive trait tends to be more pronounced. It's called hybrid vigor!

Hope that answers some of your questions. It is truly a fascinating subject, and so much can be compared to humans. A great interspecies sociological comparison if there ever was one! If you are interested send me a PM and I'll try to direct you to better info. Forgive me for the rather childish explaination, but it's easier for me that way. I have spent a lot of time with public ed and mostly with children.

Thanks, that was a great explanation. Do you think that means eventually all honeybees will have that aggressive trait, as the africanized ones interbreed and expand their territory? Do the africanized bees have any positive attributes compared with the regular bees?

I have a question ...the bees that attack my lights and me have a much longer body than the ones that leave us alone are you sure they are the same species , they look totally different ...........I kill at least a dozen a night if not more...........and the small ones sometimes get hit for just being there..........same bees?........different body's?

animal,
What part of eastern NC are you from? I'm from Hyde County.

Carteret! Good ole Beaufort...though I've spent a lot of time on Cedar Island and Ocracoke. Hell, for that manner I've been all over this state! Hyde eh.....have a good friend that was a FS Ranger in Hyde. And bunches of bear troubles with my bees there. Also spent two winters living on board in Silver Lake fishing pound nets from Cedar Island to Portsmouth Island. You realize there are more of us Carolinians here, right??? Already met a few on STX and right here on this board now living in STJ. I swear one day we'll take over the planet!!!!!