Bee keeping

[oakgroveacres]

Just installed my first package.All went well ,a little nerve racking but all in all i think it went good.

 

[Life is Good!]

Just installed my first package.All went well ,a little nerve racking but all in all i think it went good.

Right there with you! Installed two packages - one seems to 'get it' - moved right on in. All good there, except the 100 or so bees who missed the memo about getting out of the package and into the hive. I'm afraid those bees will be dead in the a.m. (temps expected to be 31 degrees).

The second package moved into the wrong part of the hive! They moved into the roof instead of the hive proper! Been reading like mad trying to figure out how to help this confused critters.

Chickens are much, much easier. So much easier. They like grapes - and can be trained to follow you to get some, just like a puppy. So, so easy! Insects have a wierd mind of their own.

 

[oakgroveacres]

Lost quite a few due to the cold(bad timing on delivery) but the rest are doing good now.

 

[RAST]

I like hearing succesful installations. Good for ya'll.
Life is Good, I assume the queens are still caged, in the one that clustered on the cover, was she anywhere near them?

 

[Life is Good!]

Life is Good, I assume the queens are still caged, in the one that clustered on the cover, was she anywhere near them?

When I removed the cork on the end of the queen cage, I discovered to my horror that no candy plug was provided (or marshmallow!). So there I am, standing in my backyard with bees humming in the package, trying to lift off the piece of cardboard that is containing them (no joke! Those are some mighty strong bees!) - with the queen and a few attendants on the outside of her cage trying to protect her (i.e. stinging me) - and there's NO CANDY PLUG?!

And me, without any marshmallows in the house. Not a one. Not even anything remotely looking like a sugar-based candy (even a peep would have done in a pinch!).

So, I ended up direct releasing her into the hive into the small ball of bees that came off with her. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all is well in the hives. It's been cold and rainy since then - they have sugar water and pollen substitute to start them off with. But weather hasn't been hospitable at all. Yesterday our first dandelions popped open, so at least if it gets decent, they'll have those to nibble on.

The ones who decided to cluster in the roof were also a direct release - at that point panic took over and I just moved on autopilot. Those bees I moved into their proper house at nightfall. They've decided to start building comb just as they should (I have observation windows) - and are doing very well. The second hive has decided to start building at the BACK of their space - far, far away from the entrance. So if the sun ever comes out, I'll need to rearrange their 'room'.

Silly bees! Almost as silly as our hens. Almost. At least the hens peck doesn't hurt like a bees sting!

 

[Snowypinesridge]

Had the same thing happen the other day when we got our bees. I sent the wife back to the house to get a marshmellow. Came back in about 4 days....they didn't like the marshmellow. Maybe GMO?? Either way I just dug it out and set her loose.

 

[wvmedic]

Well today was he day, unfortunately I had some procrastination and poor planning (not paying attention to calendar) the bees came before any safety equipment. But with a litte thinking and being careful, I managed to install my first 3lb package of bees without much incident and no stings, I had some slight trouble getting all the bees from the package, but got almost all of them, there are very few left in package, I hope they come out on there own and join the rest. All in all I feel things went really well, I hope things continue to go this well

 

[chickenstricken]

I love this thread.

I hope to start a hive next spring. That gives me a year to get ready.

 

[Baker Farm]

Getting my nuc in the middle of the month. Very excited, and a little nervous as I've got 0 experience. Sould be great though

 

[Life is Good!]

Bees are such amazing things!

Our packages (2) are doing well. Building out comb so fast it's just incredible. We've got observation windows in our hives, so we can peek at will (yeah!). One hive has nearly 8 combs drawn about 1/2 way - the other hive has about 5 combs part way. They've been in the hive for just 15 days. So I should start seeing some brood hatching too shortly. Wow, so so amazing!

One thing I've really noticed is how their nice, pristine white combs get little dirty footprints all over them. The first 3 combs are getting muddier and muddier. I suppose that makes sense, considering they're mostly foraging in the creeping jenny in the mud!