Last Year I Started Beekeeping - So Exciting

[madamwlf]

Does anyone have more then 2 brood boxes? I was thinking of putting a medium super on as another brood box. I've read that some people do it and really don't have an issue with swarming because of the extra brood space.

 

[madamwlf]

Mann Lake is having a sale on Frame Grippers!

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Oh my goodness! I just deleted that e-mail from Mann Lake, I'm glad you said something!! I also want a frame hanger and An Illinois Super half capped with honey! But I'll settle for DH spotting the queen this morning and no swarming!! yay! And congrats Chigger!

 

[chigger bait]

Does anyone have more then 2 brood boxes? I was thinking of putting a medium super on as another brood box. I've read that some people do it and really don't have an issue with swarming because of the extra brood space.

In my area, most folks that use meduims as brood boxes, use 3 of them.

On regular deeps, 2 should be enough space for them.

3 mediums=the same space of 2 deeps.

In most areas 2 deeps with a medium or a swallow of stores should be enough for most bees to get thur the winter.

 

[madamwlf]

I know a guy around here has a medium super on top of 2 deeps and he uses it as a brood box as well.

 

[jak2002003]

I have a strange question for all of you into bees! I have wanted to keep some bees for many years now, and I now have to opportunity to do so. I have early childhood memories of my Auntie and her bees, and collecting (and eating) the honey.

I am interested to know how bees were kept before the modern wooden bee hives. I have seen on some period drama programmes and moves that the bees were kept in wigwam shaped things, with straw thatched roofs. How on earth did they get the honey out of them?! The are very attractive, and I wonder if anyone still keeps bees like that?

My home and garden is very traditional and they would look lovely. I am not interested about getting maximum amounts of honey, just the experience of keeping bees.

 

[zazouse]

I have a strange question for all of you into bees! I have wanted to keep some bees for many years now, and I now have to opportunity to do so. I have early childhood memories of my Auntie and her bees, and collecting (and eating) the honey.

I am interested to know how bees were kept before the modern wooden bee hives. I have seen on some period drama programmes and moves that the bees were kept in wigwam shaped things, with straw thatched roofs. How on earth did they get the honey out of them?! The are very attractive, and I wonder if anyone still keeps bees like that?

My home and garden is very traditional and they would look lovely. I am not interested about getting maximum amounts of honey, just the experience of keeping bees.

Check out Beesource.com they have tons of info and lots of people to help you and answer questions, the site is much like this, very nice folks and some have been keeping bees in their family for generations.

 

[jak2002003]

thanks for the link. I will check it out!

 

[zazouse]

Day 6 with my bees. I did a hive inspection today as it's nice and warm and tomorrow it's supposed to be cool. I have absolutely no idea what I'm looking at, but I did see the queen (thanks to my 8 year old son - he spotted her before I did) and saw eggs in the cells. My 8 year old took the pictures, he likes to zoom in!



Saw eggs (look like mini rice?) in the dark yellow section here. I assume the light yellow is capped larva?


This section concerned me as it looked very different from the rest. What is the capped light/black area? Is that honey?


A good inspection, I would have like to peek some more, but I didn't want to disturb them. (plus, those frames are getting heavy!)


Also, the gloves aren't working for me, I can't grip the frames. I'm not brave enough to go with bare hands, anyone have any suggestions? I was thinking of trying the rubber dish washing gloves - they won't harm the bees, right?

I am new to bees but that last photo may be what is known as foul brood are the caps sunk in? you can check this by taking a match stick/small stick and opening the cap, put the stick inside and pull it out if it is stringy when you pull it out you got foul brood.

 

[Happy Chooks]

zazouse.....thanks for your thoughts. I've been told by a couple people that it's honey that just hasn't been fully capped yet. It was not in the area where the brood was. I'll be checking on them again next week, so I'll take a closer look then.