A BEE thread....for those interested in beekeeping.

[Amiga]

Well, talked to my friend yesterday about the swarm. They are going to check on it tomorrow and bring it here maybe thursday!!!
Yippee!!! She is not sure there is a queen yet, but so far it is still there!! We took the hive out and set it up on Sunday! Just waitin for some bees to make it a home! I think I have some lemongrass essential oil. When should I apply it? I've read that before but forgot. I also like the idea of putting peppermint around the hive. I have lots of that also. I have another question. My DH set the hive on a solid concrete block stand. By that I mean the blocks are solid and he put them all around in a square, no circulation between blocks. Does there need to be circulation around, underneath it?

Thrilling!

I applied the lemongrass oil in the morning. By the time I got all my stuff together, it was after 5:30 and there was still a noticeable lemon aroma even a few feet from the hive. I have mine on concrete blocks, also, but two stacks, with a gap in between. I have seen Langstroths on solid concrete block stands. Are you concerned about moisture? I think the solid block would reduce rapid fluctuation in temperature on the bottom of the hive - and that may be a good thing.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Well, talked to my friend yesterday about the swarm. They are going to check on it tomorrow and bring it here maybe thursday!!!
Yippee!!! She is not sure there is a queen yet, but so far it is still there!! We took the hive out and set it up on Sunday! Just waitin for some bees to make it a home! I think I have some lemongrass essential oil. When should I apply it? I've read that before but forgot. I also like the idea of putting peppermint around the hive. I have lots of that also. I have another question. My DH set the hive on a solid concrete block stand. By that I mean the blocks are solid and he put them all around in a square, no circulation between blocks. Does there need to be circulation around, underneath it?

I forget what type of hive you have, but I have a Langsroth with a screened bottom board - so yes, I need circulation underneath.

 

[OHhappychicks]

Thrilling!

I applied the lemongrass oil in the morning. By the time I got all my stuff together, it was after 5:30 and there was still a noticeable lemon aroma even a few feet from the hive. I have mine on concrete blocks, also, but two stacks, with a gap in between. I have seen Langstroths on solid concrete block stands. Are you concerned about moisture? I think the solid block would reduce rapid fluctuation in temperature on the bottom of the hive - and that may be a good thing.

I forget what type of hive you have, but I have a Langsroth with a screened bottom board - so yes, I need circulation underneath.

I do have a Langstroth and we are going to put in a screened bottom board. I was concerned about moisture, but we set the concrete blocks on a 4x4 area of paving stones. I will get a pic of it today and show you all. I was thinking the same Amiga, about temp fluctuation. We haven't installed the screened bb yet. It has a metal tray that pulls out under the screen. Doesn't it set on top of the bottom board that I have, where the bees enter the hive? There is no place for the bees to enter if I just use the screened bb, or do I have it confused? I will do some research. Do you use a sticky paper under your screen? I've read that some do, and it seems that would be a good thing to keep mites at bay.

 

[Happy Chooks]

This is what I have. It has a removable plastic sheet that you can put in to do mite counts. I have it out right now, because we are getting into the 90's. The bees enter at the front, above the screening. Mine is up on 2 cinder blocks. Here it is when I started. Now it's a tad bigger, with 2 deeps and 2 mediums (supers) on it.

 

[OHhappychicks]

Sorry it is sideways! This is my hive.



This is the back of the screen board.


metal try pulled out


This is the back. It is a solid back.
If this is the bottom of the hive, how do the bees get in? Am I missing something on this? I took it down to the hive and placed it, but I didn't see the entrance. Is the opening the space of the side rails on the sbb? It is only about 3/8". If it is, is that large enough? It also doesn't have a landing place. I've noticed that some of them have a stand the hive sits on that has the slanted landing board. Is that what I need for this bb? I may be getting the bees today, although she hasn't called yet.

 

[Amiga]

Looked through the window to see five bars with comb

I think it's brood comb. Many bees coming in with pollen on their legs. And what I think are drones leaving the hive.

Looks like rain coming soon, not keen to open the hive now.

 

[jentralala]

Can someone here help me? We're working on building our chicken coop (we're renovating a very old wooden playhouse that was built on site) and today when we went outside the roof of it was SWARMED with bees, and it really looks like they're trying to get into the roof and build a nest! I'm pretty sure they want to stay here because I had seen a few honeybees flying around lately (and haven't seen them before). The only pest control I could find to remove them alive (I really don't want them harmed, I know how important they are!!!) wanted $480!!! No way we can afford that....Is there anyway to discourage them?

I live in Dunnellon, Florida, if there happens to be ANYONE local that could help!!

 

[joannefiddler]

Check on craigslist in your area see if local beekeepers who advertise swarm removal. Also check Florida beekeepers association for local contact. A beekeeper would love the swarm!

 

[Amiga]

Just saw this. Find the local beekeepers group. Someone could pick up the swarm.

 

[Deb B]

Sorry it is sideways! This is my hive.



This is the back of the screen board.


metal try pulled out


This is the back. It is a solid back.
If this is the bottom of the hive, how do the bees get in? Am I missing something on this? I took it down to the hive and placed it, but I didn't see the entrance. Is the opening the space of the side rails on the sbb? It is only about 3/8". If it is, is that large enough? It also doesn't have a landing place. I've noticed that some of them have a stand the hive sits on that has the slanted landing board. Is that what I need for this bb? I may be getting the bees today, although she hasn't called yet.

The bees will land on the little "porch" and crawl through the gap between the bottom of the lowest hive body and the bottom board. I don't know where you bought your hive, but it does look a little smaller than the typical space. Also, many inner covers have a little dado cut out that you should face towards the front of the hive. Then, if you push the outer cover forward when you put it on, the bees with land on the hive and crawl in though the dado and down into the hive through the hole in the inner cover.