Last Year I Started Beekeeping - So Exciting

[daddykirbs]

I've considered this for Honey and Pollination. I am starting a small orchard so having a ready supply of pollinators would be fantastic!

My 14 year old son is Autistic and Allergic to bees... would that discourage you seasoned bee keepers from keeping them? How far away from the house would you put it to be safer?

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Okay, we have now painted some colors on our hive but STILL have not ordered bees. I know, I know, WHAT is my problem??

Daddykirbs, welcome! I'm certainly not the one to give bee advice, as I haven't even started my journey into beekeeping yet. But as the parent of two children with special needs I'd venture to say that the best person to answer your question is you. Ask yourself, How likely is my son to be calm if he should venture around the hive? How likely is he to communicate to me if he's been stung?

Although nothing is set in stone, I believe we will be ordering Russian Bees. As I've heard they can be a bit more likely to sting, I am locating our hive a bit further away than we had first planned and in the field opposite the swing set, chicken coop and most of the activity hoping to avoid any stings. I've been warned that the frames can get quite heavy once filled with honey and that I don't want to have to carry them too far, but we'll use the tractor to move them once they're filled (if that ever happens).

 

[chigger bait]

The main weight problem I run into is rotating the deep hive bodies in Feb.

If I haed it to over again I would have gone with all Medium Supers.

Instead of useing two deeps, you would use three mediums to equal the volume of space.

Cost is a little more, but your back will thank you.

Also with useing all mediums, you only have to inventory frames and foundation for that one style of super instead of all three.

 

[3forfree]

can hives be built, or do they have to be purchased? I recycle building material, and this sounds like one more thing that might be built. thanks and good luck with your hobbies.

 

[chigger bait]

can hives be built, or do they have to be purchased? I recycle building material, and this sounds like one more thing that might be built. thanks and good luck with your hobbies.

Alot of folks do build there own from scratch.

There are plans on the internet for both Langstroth and Top Bar type of hives.

But I would plane or mechinically remove any finishes off that would be on the inside of the hide.

Outside, it doesn't matter, as far as I can tell.

 

[3forfree]

I use pallets to recycle with and most of it is rough sawn and untreated. What style of hive do you use, the ones I see around here are flat topped.

 

[chigger bait]

I use pallets to recycle with and most of it is rough sawn and untreated. What style of hive do you use, the ones I see around here are flat topped.

As in flat topped are you speaking of a Langstroth, with frames?

 

[Blarneyeggs]

I've been to our first Beekeepers meeting and feel even a bit more confused now. Is it true I should start with two hives? And NOT order bees, but get Supers locally instead - With an overwintered queen. Oh yeah, I'm overwhelmed.

 

[sgtmom52]

I've been to our first Beekeepers meeting and feel even a bit more confused now. Is it true I should start with two hives? And NOT order bees, but get Supers locally instead - With an overwintered queen. Oh yeah, I'm overwhelmed.

There is a lot to learn and it can be confusing. When we do nu-bee classes we usually recommend that you start with 2 hives ~ if possible. With 2 hives it is easier to manage the hives. For example, you can move frames between the 2 if one is weaker. Two hives are not really any more work than a single one.

Ideally it is best for northern beekeepers to get northern bees to start in the form of a 3 or 5 frame nuc ~ but they are not always easy to find especially early in the season. Most people start with packages from the south as they are available earlier and are cheaper than northern bees. Sometimes you can get splits or swarms from another beekeeper, but there are no guarantee they would be available when you are ready to start up. If you do start with a southern bee package you can always "re-queen" it with a mated northern queen later.

 

[chigger bait]

I started my 1st four hives with NUC's from a breeder in NC in July and Aug of the past two year.

The next two I am going to start with 4 pound packages this coming April.