Last Year I Started Beekeeping - So Exciting

[chigger bait]

Here is a basic start on one of the hives that I set up a couple of weeks ago.




What you see is a screened bottom board, a deep brood box, an attic box for ventilation with a top entrance, a screened top cover on top of the attic and a telescoping cover.

And a syrup feeder.

It is evaluated on cinder blocks about 18 inches, so as the skunks have to raise up in their hind feet to attempt to get into the hive and the bees can then light up their soft under belly up and drive the vermin off.

As they fill this 1st super, I will add another deep on top of this one.

When they fill the 2nd one, then I will start adding mediums for honey production.

The bees will keep everything in the deeps to winter over with.

I may or may not get enough fall production from golden rod to collect any for my self.

The past two years I have not.

All my wooden wear, I purchased from Orr Bee Supply, which they make right there in their shop.

A small family operation that is a pleasure to deal with.

 

[madamwlf]

What method does everyone use to feed their bees? I got a call last night from a local beekeeper. I was told I should use the baggie method and that an open feeder isn't good. I was also told that plastic foundation isn't good either. I should have used wax foundation to start with.

 

[chigger bait]

I was also told that plastic foundation isn't good either. I should have used wax foundation to start with.

Are your bees drawing out comb on the plastic?

If so then I wouldn't worry about it.

I have one deep that has some plastic foundation in it that I got with the NUC's I purchased 3 years ago.

The bees seemed pleased as punch with it.

If they're happy, then I'm tickled.

 

[madamwlf]

As of a few nights ago they were. I will be going on this evening to put a baggie feeder on and take a look at the frames. If I can I might swap the boxes around too.

 

[sgtmom52]

What method does everyone use to feed their bees? I got a call last night from a local beekeeper. I was told I should use the baggie method and that an open feeder isn't good. I was also told that plastic foundation isn't good either. I should have used wax foundation to start with.

It is said that open feeding can promote robbing and you are also feeding any feral bees around.

Depending on the time of year and why I am feeding I use the following.

I use these ~


and these ~


and these ~


I haven't tried the baggie method yet.

When we started beekeeping we had plastic foundation, we have since switched over to wax and are phasing out all of the plastic. We have found that the bees don't seem to draw out comb as well on the plastic even if we add extra wax to the frames.

 

[chigger bait]

What method does everyone use to feed their bees? I got a call last night from a local beekeeper. I was told I should use the baggie method and that an open feeder isn't good.

I can see using the baggie method when feeding during a dearth in the bloom in the late summer, but not now.

Open feeders in a dearth can lead to robbing, more so with Italians than with Russians.

I have a couple of trough type feeders that go on top of my hives, but I don't like them because every time I went to fill them I ended up drowning bees.

I am still in the steep learning curve.

 

[madamwlf]

I was looking into the well feeder. Might have to get some of my hives. The feeders aren't near the hive at all and I don't particularly mind feeding feral bees. The only thing that worries me about the baggie feeder is the bag leaking. Maybe I'll get the well feeders and have peace of mind.

I though entrance feeders weren't recommended either.

 

[chigger bait]

As of a few nights ago they were. I will be going on this evening to put a baggie feeder on and take a look at the frames. If I can I might swap the boxes around too.

If they are drawing comb out in brood boxes then I would feed them.

I can't remember how many pounds of sugar it takes to make a pound of wax, but it is surprising.

I don't feed them while they are filling honey supers because they take the sugar water and dry it down into honey, which who wants to buy or use that?

For brood box use, the bees don't care, nor do I.

 

[chigger bait]

I though entrance feeders weren't recommended either.

I use them in the spring when there isn't any robbing going on, mainly out convenience's sake.

I am old, fat, lazy and don't want to suit up every time to go into a hive to fill their feeders .

 

[sgtmom52]

If they are drawing comb out in brood boxes then I would feed them.

I can't remember how many pounds of sugar it takes to make a pound of wax, but it is surprising.

I don't feed them while they are filling honey supers because they take the sugar water and dry it down into honey, which who wants to buy or use that?

For brood box use, the bees don't care, nor do I.

It is illegal to feed bees while you have honey supers in place (for honey for sale) as you are not producing real honey.

This is another reason free feeding can be a problem. If there are other hives around with supers on there is nothing preventing those bees from feeding on the sugar syrup.