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

[user213590]

Be careful when checking a hive after dark ~ they can be much more aggressive than in the day time.   

Use a smoker.

 

[1muttsfan]

I can not believe how much comb my bees have pulled out in the last week - I added three bars last night and they were instantly on them, forming little bee chains hanging down from the bars.

And that thing about them not liking being tangled up in hair - yep. Forgot I had my hair in a ponytail instead of it's usual braid. RIP little bee (one sting on the forehead, not too bad considering). I retreated immediately, and went out later to finish closing up the hive - they were completely docile again. I did, however, cover my hair.

 

[Eva2012]

What a nice picture of you with your mother.  And all that honey!

Thank you!
Just like yesterday and RIP 13 years in August, still miss these times

 

[Amiga]

The hive seems to be doing quite well - the first ten bars have at least some comb on them, it all looks nice and straight, though I have not wanted to pull each bar up and out at this point - I feel they are still getting settled in. But with a flashlight, looking in, and sliding bars 5 through 10 back a bit, it all looks good. Our bars come to a point on the bottom, so I think that helps keep the comb straight.

All the syrup - every last drop - has been used, so I pulled the feeder because I wanted to move the false back all the way back and open up the last dozen bars for comb.

There are many more bees now than first arrived - I am guessing the new workers were hatching starting around the 21st of last month.

I had to apologize to the bees - it was so humid, I dropped a little perspiration into the hive. Mea culpa.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I can not believe how much comb my bees have pulled out in the last week - I added three bars last night and they were instantly on them, forming little bee chains hanging down from the bars.

And that thing about them not liking being tangled up in hair - yep. Forgot I had my hair in a ponytail instead of it's usual braid. RIP little bee (one sting on the forehead, not too bad considering). I retreated immediately, and went out later to finish closing up the hive - they were completely docile again. I did, however, cover my hair.

Ouch in the forehead though!

 

[karl E lutz]

Where do you guys get your supplies , and -------- Bees ?

 

[1muttsfan]

I ordered bees and the hardware kit for making a Top Bar hive from Gold Star Honeybees - they raise bees without chemicals, which was important to me. Most supplies I got online, as there are no local bee shops anywhere around here, but you really don't need a lot for a Top Bar hive and I am not going into this commercially, more for enjoyment, pollination, and for a little honey.

 

[sgtmom52]

Where do you guys get your supplies , and -------- Bees ?

We order a lot of our supplies from Mann Lake. They have free shipping with $100. purchase. We also have a small local supplier that we can get woodware from.

Our first bees, eight years ago, were a nuc from a local breeder. Since then most of our hives were splits or swarms. Several times we did buy packages which came from Georgia. This year our bees wintered very well and we made a few nucs to sell.
I recommend trying to find local bees in nucs if possible over packages.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Off to look at Mann Lake's supplies..........

I got my hive from a local beekeeping store, and my first bees were a NUC from them as well. Those bees died their first winter, likely because I did not treat for mites, but not positive on that. My 2nd bees were from a local beekeeper (different source) and they have done beautifully. Thinking of adding a 2nd hive next year.

 

[karl E lutz]

Thank you guys,
I will look in to this and do a winter prep so I can start in the spring. Does this sound like a good plan?