How the bee was made, the bee made honey

[goatkeepers]

We've been talking about getting bees for about 2 years now. We just came across a GREAT gentleman that sells local honey at the farmer's market here and he invited us to the monthly bee keepers meeting in august!

So I hope by next year we will have some bees!

Congrats on yours, it is amazing that you guys didn't get stung! Neat.

 

[sgtmom52]

Congratulations on your new bees. We started out with one hive last year and now have 3 hives. They kinda grow on you - like chickens!

The first year we only got stung once or twice. This year DH got stung 10 times during a really hot (90's) day when he was mowing with the tractor near the hive. The bees were really grumpy that week - we later found out that hive was queenless due to swarming (we were unaware they had swarmed). We have Russian bees which have a greater tendency to swarm. They since have grown a new queen and are not so grumpy now. It is good to remember that bees don't like loud vibrating machines (like mowers, weed wackers, etc.) close to thier hives. And keep Benedryl on hand to take if stung, it cuts down on the itching and swelling.

It should be noted that most states require hives to be registered and inspected for disease on a regular basis. PA inspects hives at least every other year. We welcome this inspection to make sure we are keeping them healthy and happy!

 

[smom1976]

Miss P... in your pictures of the bees.. there are combs hanging down..

are those made by the bees? or are they man made and then filled by the bees?

if they are bee made do you break the comb when spinning to get the honey out and then they start all over?

 

[joebryant]

Top bar hive... SAY WHAT ! ?

I had bees for years until I became deathly allergic after being hospitalized after a large stinging I took because of doing something "dumb". I was tested after I passed out when stung by a single bee later. The doctor told me the next I would have only a few seconds not minutes to get the shot. I carried the needle for ten years, never got stung, tested again, and am no longer in great danger. I just have to take the pill, but I still cannot have a hive (dang it!).

My son and daughter-in-law have three hives, and they produce the most delicious honey I've ever eaten. It's a new way of spring management.

Back to "top bar hive..." That's something that I've never heard of and now I'm going to spend the day Googling.

I'm starting to think that You're THREE people.

EDIT: http://www.biobees.com/download/Introduction_to_top_bar_beekeeping.pdf
Okay, now I remember it. In fact I saw them being used in The Dominican Republic about six years ago. I hope you keep us updated on what you think of this system as your using it progresses.

 

[greeneggsandham]

MissPrissy how did your husband make those hives? I have the "traditional" hives, but had seen the tophives on-line and thought about getting one or two of them. I've had my bees for two months and so far so good. They are so fun to watch. I wish you the best of luck with your new "babies"

 

[ml]

Honey extractors. What will you use for that? The least expensive ones have seen around 130.00 plus shipping.

ML

 

[eddie-k]

Yea, bees really do not like tractors at all! A few years ago I was mowing the in-laws pasture and got about 25 yards away from his bee hives. I got chased about a hundred hards (felt like miles at the time!) to the house and stung 7 or 8 times. Had to take some benadryl, but it was alright. I'm sure glad the father-in-laws honey tastes so good. Good luck with the new project!

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
We provided the empty box with about 8 topbars and a thin bead of wax. The bees made every single thing you see

We will need an extractor but I love honey comb!

Quote:
We built them out of 1x12's and the bars are 1x2's

We will most likely buy a honey extractor. I know someone who has one that has not been used in a decade or more but it in excellent condition but I highly doubt they will let me use me it. They are strange that way.

 

[smom1976]

when you spin the comb.. will you reuse the same comb or will the bees make more?

do the combs start "growing" together? Does each bar have its own partition?

This is so interesting. It really isnt much other than a box....

very cool...

 

[MissPrissy]

They build a solid comb on each bar. Youhave to spin the comb if you want honey but I like honey comb too. They make more comb you don't reuse it.