Last Year I Started Beekeeping - So Exciting

[chigger bait]

I know plenty of people that just go nuts when they see a wasp and get stung. I was told when I was only around 5 to be still when one gets close to you. I did, and to this day largely ignore them unless they land on me. When they do, I just stay still and they will fly off w/out stinging me. It creeps people out if they see this but it works.

When our family use to raise burly tobacco and hang it in the barn to cure, the metal roof and rafters were full of red and yellow wasp nest.

As long as you didn't bump into them, then they would just hang on their nest and watch you.

My grandfather use to use the larva in their nest to trout fish with on the South Fork of the Holston River.

 

[madamwlf]

When I had my bees, I planted 3 Butterfly Bushes (I highly recommend them oh and Stony Crops too). The attract the most beautiful butterflies and insects. Actually both plants do. I was outside looking at my Butterfly Bushes when I noticed this creature fluttering around from flower to flower. Actually several of these creatures were fluttering. At first I though hummingbird but then I got a closer look and had to get the camera. It's some sort of insect and wow, was its wings moving fast. Does anyone know what this beauty is? It wasn't easy getting pictures since it didn't sit still, sort of like a hummingbird.

 

[sgtmom52]

That would be a Hummingbird moth! I have them all over my butterfly bushes.

When I had my bees, I planted 3 Butterfly Bushes (I highly recommend them oh and Stony Crops too). The attract the most beautiful butterflies and insects. Actually both plants do. I was outside looking at my Butterfly Bushes when I noticed this creature fluttering around from flower to flower. Actually several of these creatures were fluttering. At first I though hummingbird but then I got a closer look and had to get the camera. It's some sort of insect and wow, was its wings moving fast. Does anyone know what this beauty is? It wasn't easy getting pictures since it didn't sit still, sort of like a hummingbird.

 

[madamwlf]

Thank you so much. They are absolutely beautiful.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Okay, some questions here. I inspected my hive yesterday. (a NUC installed in the spring) Last time I inspected, I found the queen in the top box and they were starting on honey storage in the upper box. Yesterday, they are building the wax out on a bunch of frames, but very minimal pollen storage in the cells, no eggs, and no honey storage. I'm kinda feeling that I should feed them? Is that normal? There are a lot of bees, especially in the bottom box (which I did not inspect).

Here's some pics:


Bees in lower box:


Lots of work in drawing out comb:



Dark area used to have honey storage, now just a bit of pollen, no honey.

 

[3forfree]

there's a field of pickles down the road from my house, and yesterday I noticed a wagon with about 20 hives on it. Today the farmer was discing that field. Why

 

[sgtmom52]

Unless you have a really big nectar flow there in the fall, I would be feeding them as long as they will take it. They need to get comb drawn out, honey (syrup) stored and bees raised for overwintering the hive. It takes the equivalent of 10 pounds of honey to produce one pound of wax.

Okay, some questions here. I inspected my hive yesterday. (a NUC installed in the spring) Last time I inspected, I found the queen in the top box and they were starting on honey storage in the upper box. Yesterday, they are building the wax out on a bunch of frames, but very minimal pollen storage in the cells, no eggs, and no honey storage. I'm kinda feeling that I should feed them? Is that normal? There are a lot of bees, especially in the bottom box (which I did not inspect).

Here's some pics:


Bees in lower box:


Lots of work in drawing out comb:



Dark area used to have honey storage, now just a bit of pollen, no honey.

 

[Happy Chooks]

That's what I thought, thanks! I'll add the feeder in the morning.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I see some people use pollen patties - should I use those or sugar syrup?

 

[madamwlf]

I do believe some type of pollen substitute should be given in the fall especially if they have no reserves for winter. Hopefully sgtmom will chime in.