Last Year I Started Beekeeping - So Exciting

[sgtmom52]

Still no bees.

Sorry ~ seems like there are swarms all over the place around here. We have gotten all we can use this year so are helping out some of the new beekeepers in our club who don't have bees yet.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

You are so kind.

Frustration was starting to get the best of me, and then I decided to be proactive instead of reactive. I called our Delaware bee guy to see how our bees are coming along down there and they're ready!! He said we can pick them up as soon as tomorrow. Now this is not part of my original plan. My PA bees (the ones that are late) are getting delivered. I thought I would have them a good month and get a handle on the whole bee thing before attempting to go pick a hive up on our own. Yikes!!!

So I have a question.... Should I put the hives in different spots? I thought my first hive would be established before my second arrived. I guess it's still okay for them to be side by side, right?

 

[sgtmom52]

Blarney ~ I'm happy for you! There is no problem starting multiple hives at the same time. It might also help you as you can keep an eye on their progress and compare them to each other. I always recommend that people have at least 2 hives. You can move frames between them later if one is weaker.

I have my hives on double hive stands with about 8 to 10 inches between the hives. I have about 2 feet between hive stands so that I can work between them when checking the hives.

 

[madamwlf]

Okay, question time again. When can I remove the syrup from my first hive? It's been about a month since they started drawing comb. I should have new bees hatching now. Yeah!! Also, at what point do I put a honey super on? So much still to learn.

 

[sgtmom52]

Okay, question time again. When can I remove the syrup from my first hive? It's been about a month since they started drawing comb. I should have new bees hatching now. Yeah!! Also, at what point do I put a honey super on? So much still to learn.

If it is a new hive that had undrawn comb I feed syrup as long as they are taking it. If there is a natural nectar flow they may stop taking syrup. They need the equivalent of about 10 pounds of honey to make 1 pound of wax. You should start out with one hive body on the hive ~ once 80% of those frames have comb drawn, add the second box. You can add a super when 80% of the 2nd box is drawn. If you add boxes too soon they will not draw out comb on all of the frames ~ they will draw up the middle leaving the outer frames empty. In northern states you typically do not get a honey harvest the first year in a new hive. It usually takes the bees a full season to draw comb, build up and store enough supplies for the winter.

 

[madamwlf]

So I'm assuming the Queen reuses the cells to lay eggs in.

It will be interesting to watch to progress of the second hive since they are starting out as a full strength hive. That one didn't swarm on me.

 

[sgtmom52]

Yes ~ the queen will reuse the cells as soon as the workers can clean them out and get them ready. The queen can lay over 1500 eggs per day when the hive is building up and will use almost any empty cell she can find.

 

[madamwlf]

What? That's all? Just 1500 eggs a day. Poor lady!

 

[chigger bait]

A reproduction machine.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

They're HERE!!!!! Now what? LOL The guy we got them from said not to feed them and my son said he saw honey, so I guess they'll be okay. I did spray the 5 empty frames with the Honey B Healthy ~Thanks again for the recipe, Julie!